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FRIENDS, ROMANS, 
COUNTRYMEN : 

Help Yourselves! 

This book has not been subjected 
to the custom and formalities of 
copyrighting. Persons who con- 
sider parts of it ivorthy of repro- 
duction are requested to make 
suitable acknoivledgment 



IV. 



EXPLANATION OF PICTURES ON "JACKET" 

The "jacket" or paper cover which encloses the cloth cover of the 
book is made up of the following pictures: 

At the top, a panoramic view of Rome taken about ten years 
ago from Myrtle Hill cemetery, showing the castle-like spires of old 
Shorter College, the city clock and the Floyd County court house; 
to the left, the Oostanaula River, and in the foreground, the Etowah. 
This picture was obtained through courtesy of the Central of Geor- 
gia Railway Company. 

At the bottom are: Rome in 1864, shortly after Gen. Sherman 
had captured the town; the Confederate Soldiers' section in Myrtle 
Hill cemetery; the North Rome Baptist church; Broad Street and 
a column of Boy Scouts ready for a hike. 

On the front are: The grave of the first Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, 
in Myrtle Hill ; the chapel of the Berry Schools ; entrance to the 
old Rome driving park and fair grounds, near DeSoto Park ; Rome 
boys enjoying a freshet; Col. Thos. W. Alexander, commander of 
the Berry Infantry. 

On the back strip is a silhouette of Col. Jos. Watters, a planter 
and state senator in the thirties. 

On the back are: Gen. Charles Floyd, father of Gen. John Floyd, 
for whom Floyd County was named (in the uniform of the St. 
Helena Guards, of Charleston) ; Gen. Charles Floyd assisted in re- 
moving the Indians from Cherokee Georgia (he is wearing in his 
hat a crescent bearing the words "Liberty or Death," which is in 
posession of Wm. G. McAdoo, a grandson several degrees removed) ; 
Donald Harper, of Rome and Paris (France) ; the Baptist par- 
sonage; Steve Eberhart (or Perry), mascot of Floyd County Camp 
368 of Confederate Veterans; Maj. Philip W. Hemphill, one of the 
four founders of Rome; left to right, little Misses Elizabeth Mor- 
ris, Eleanor Fuller and Juliet Graves; entrance to the Battey vault, 
in Myrtle Hill. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY 

Biography is the only true history. — Carlyle. 

History casts its shadow far into the land of song. — Longfellow. 

Succeeding generations should tote their own historical skillets. — 

COLEGATE. 

History, like true intelligence, consists in old ideas wrought over. 
— Oliver Wendell Holmes. 

Each generation gathers together in history the imperishable chil- 
dren of the past. — Bancroft. 

Out of monuments, names, traditions, private records and passages 
of books we do save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time. — 
Bacon. 

This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions 
from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them. — 
Tacitus. 

God is in the facts of history as truly as He is in the march of the 
seasons, the revolutions of the planets or the architecture of the 
worlds. — Lanahan. 

History maketh a young man to be old, without wrinkles or gray 
hairs, privileging him with the experience of age, without either the 
infirmities or the inconveniences thereof. — Fuller. 

An historian ought to be exact, sincere and sympathetic, free from 
passion, unbiased by interest, fear, resentment or affection, and faith- 
ful to the truth, which is the mother of history. — Napoleon. 



V. 






THE CLOCK TOWER. 



A HISTORY OF ROME 
AMD FLOYD COUNTY 



State of Georgia 



United States of America 



INCLUDING NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF 
MORE THAN LOCAL INTEREST 

1540 — 1922 

Volume L 

By 
George Magruder Battey, Jr. 

AUTHOR OF "70,000 MILES ON A 
SUBMARINE DESTROYER" 



*?;' W 




• 'i^ 



ATLANTA, GA. 

The Webb and Vary Company 

19 2 2 






I 



DEDICATION 
To the Boy Scouts 
and the Girl Scouts of 
Rome and Floyd County, whose 
youthful enthusiasm and helpful, un- 
selfish spirit of service promise so much 
for the development of civic enter- 
prise and the advancement of in- 
terest in the wholesome life 
of the Great Outdoors, 
this book is affec- 
tionately dedi- 
cated by 
THE AUTHOR. 

-^ ( S" b^3 



vin. 



Introduction 




OW AND THEN a queen pawns her jewels to advance the 
cause of civihzation, and thus gives back part of what her 
admiring subjects have offered up. Similarly has a queen who 
wears no tiara or crown thrown herself into the breach and 
made possible the completion at this time of the History of 
Rome. Her rocking chair is "in soak" because she' believes 
the enterprise is worth while. If we will redeem the chair 
out of sales from the book, she will feel amply repaid, and can sit down 
again. It will be possible through a little unselfish sacrifice on the part 
of each and all of us. 

One thousand copies of the book are included in the first binding. 
More than half of these have been mailed to subscribers who spoke for 
them in advance. Additional sheets have been printed so that other 
Romans may have copies who desire them. Extra copies will be bound 
in accordance with the demand, so that the total issue will be just what 
Romans, former Romans and a select company of "innocent bystanders" 
make it. The compiler hopes that many will avail themselves of the 
opportunity to invest, for the double reason that the book contains a 
wealth of material which everybody should have, and a subscription does 
just that much to advance the interests of the town and section. He 
does not urge any support in the expectation of making a profit, for he 
has put far more into it these two years than he can possibly get out, 
except in mental satisfaction. He wishes to sell the book not on personal 
or sentimental grounds, but on the basis of whatever value the purchaser 
may see in it. No doubt the edition will be cjuickly exhausted, because 
material has been included which is expected to stimulate a heavy demand 
outside of Rome. Then there will be no more copies, for the number is 
strictly limited. 

The excuse for this work was found in the fact that the historians 
have systematically neglected the section known of old as "Cherokee 
Georgia." The compiler went back to his birthplace Oct. 21, 1920, to 
supply whatever of the deficiency he could, realizing that he had had no 
previous historical experience, but believing that the svibject was worthy 
of a literary masterpiece. He found a fertile field in which to labor ; 
the legend of DeSoto's visit in 1540, the Indian occupation and removal, 
the deeds of valor in war, the constructive enterprises following the 
war's wake,, all supplied an inspiration that was irresistible. On begin- 
ning his work, he saw the truth of the statement, "The South makes 
plenty of history, but writes very little of it." His task, therefore, con- 
sisted in laying a foundation as well as erecting a superstructure, and he 
realizes the imperfections that such conditions necessarily impose, and 
is fully conscious of his inability to handle the material as it deserves. He 
only hopes that the work may be considered from cover to cover, and 
thus criticized, rather than that any insignificant error of omission or 
commission may be allowed to obscure the whole in the estimation of 
the individual. 

It is manifestly impossible here to devote much attention to tlie 
entire Northwest Georgia section. Floyd's sister counties will no doubt 
eventually write histories of their own. However, there are numerous 
references to happenings elsewhere which are connected with characters 



IX. 



or events in Floyd, and in certain instances the material is quite general 
in its character and application. 

Since the greater part of Rome's history existed in tradition and in 
scrap books and old records, it has been deemed advisable to go back 
as far as possible, and rescue the fragments of early Rome before they 
are lost in the dust of the past. The story of Rome's part in the removal 
of the Indians has never been adecjuately told, nor has the picture of con- 
ditions just before the Civil War been fully presented. The subject 
of Rome's part in the war of 1861-5 is all but ignored. The duty is man- 
ifestly to revert to the dim beginnings, to give "right-of-way" to the "old 
settlers," to suggest that the present generation keep newspapers and 
records liberally so our contemporary history may not suffer likewise. 

So much material has been developed that the necessity of a second 
volume is apparent. Volume I contains half of the complete narrative, 
a great many pictures and a vast amount of miscellaneous data. Its 
faulty arrangement is due to the uncertainty, up to the last m-oment, ovef 
what was to be used. Volume II, which it is intended should be pub- 
lished when conditions are more favorable, will contain many additional 
pictures and such biographical sketches and miscellaneous items as could 
not be included in the first. These two volumes will in a measure tell 
the romantic tale. 

The history started with a series of articles in the Rojiie News, fol- 
lowed by "Rambles Around Rome." It has been augmented from many 
sources, and particularly from the files of the old Rome Courier, which" 
was the forerunner of Rome's daily newspaper. The Tribune-Herald. 
Both of these present-day newspapers have been unflagging friends of 
the history. In the collection of material, chiefly of a statistical nature, 
the most consistent individual has been Richard Venable Mitchell, of 
Rome. Mr. Mitchell, has worked with splendid spirit and without hope 
of reward ; Romans are certain to appreciate the accurate data he gives, 
them in his lists of the natural resources of Floyd, and of the state, city 
and county officials, various important and interesting dates and a vast 
quantity of odd information. Mrs. Harriet Connor Stevens has 
contributed liberally of her time in order that some of the Cave Spring" 
pioneers might be remembered. Miss Frances Long' Harper has also 
helped substantially at Cave Spring. In forcing the history upon public 
attention, the most valiant supporters have been H. H. Shackelton, presi- 
dent of the Chamber of Commerce ; Robt. H. Clagett, editor of the Rome 
News ; W. S. Rowell, editor of the Tribune-Herald, and Lee J. Langley, 
writing for both papers. 

Thanks are due Hooper Alexander, of Atlanta ; W. R. L. Smith, of 
Norfolk, Va. ; Mrs. Mabel Washbourne Anderson, of Prvor, Okla. ; S. W. 
Ross, of Tahlequah, Okla.; Judge Henry C. Meigs, of Ft. Gibson, Okla., 
and C. F. Hanke, chief clerk of the Indian Office, Washington, D. 
C, for much of the Indian data. (The biographies of the Indian leaders 
are omitted for further investigation of conflicting material). Substan- 
tial assistance has been given by Miss Tommie Dora Barker, librarian of 
the Carnegie Library, Atlanta, and by Miss Carrie Williams, of the ref- 
erence department ; Mrs. Maud Barker Cobb, state librarian, the Capitol, 
Atlanta ; Duncan Burnett, librarian of the library of the University of 
Georgia, Athens ; Dr. Lucian L. Knight, director of the State De- 
partment of History, the Capitol, Atlanta, and Miss Ruth Blair, of the 
same department. Dr. Knight's valuable books have been consulted 
freely and credit generally given in each instance. Appreciation is like- 



X. 



wise expressed herewith of aid rendered by the Daughters of the Ameri- 
can Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and of 
the interest shown by Henderson L. Lanham, president of the Board of 
Education of the City of Rome, by Prof. B. F. Quigg, City Superintendent, 
and Prof. W. C. Rash, County Superintendent, in a plan for teaching local 
history in the public schools. While nothing definite has been done, the 
suggestion that a condensed school history be written out of the His- 
tory of Rome is being considered, and already has the moral support 
of at least one large Eastern publishing house. 

Most of the maps are from Rand-McNally & Co., Chicago. 

The artistic pictures of the Berry Schools were taken by D. W. Dens- 
more, faculty member, and a number of pictures of landmarks by R. V. 
Mitchell. vSeveral pictures and some text do not appear because they 
have been lost or misplaced ; a few typographical errors herein like- 
wise prove the intensely human character of the work of man. 

Loans negotiated through the assistance of John M. Graham and 
Wilson M. Hardy greatly helped the work at the, outset, and $100 received 
near the close from a group of Rome business men, headed by E. R. 
Fishburne, averted an almost certain postponement. Mr. Weaker D. Carr, 
of Silver, Burdett & Co., Boston publishers, loaned the cuts of John Ridge 
and Major Ridge. To all others who have helped with friendly advice, data 
or money the heartfelt thanks of the compiler are herewith given. Rome 
will thank them in her own way. The list is a long one, and it cannot 
be extended here ; it will appear, perhaps, in the proposed Vol. 11. 

There is a great deal that is left over for another volume simply 
because no funds were in sight to print it. Ample warning of this situa- 
tion was given from time to time. If Romans make Vol. H possible by 
an underwriting plan, or if a single Roman desires the opportunity of 
doing that much for the town he loves, the compiler will dig into his 
files again. Undoubtedly some Roman who wishes a send-off here below 
and a welcome above will remember Vol. H in his will. 

The rules governing the history campaign were very simple. Prac- 
tically everybody who showed as much as a passing interest has been 
given some notice in the book, either for themselves or their ancestors. 
Those who have ignored letters, personal or circular, or both, or have 
refused to "weep" while we "mourned," have erected a temporary barrier 
between us. Fortunately, there have not been many of these, althbugh 
more have sat on the fence. They will have another chance if they want 
it — for Vol. n. No considerations of friendship have caused us to over- 
look a flagrant neglect of Rome and the history by those who in our opin- 
ion could have helped. At the same time, we feel friendly and hold the 
door open — for Vol. H. We consider it a duty to speak plainly so Romans 
will understand, and that we may do better next time. Let us make Vol. 
H surpass Vol. L 

The original plan called for sections of text devoted to the Berry 
Schools, Shorter College, Hearn Academy, the Georgia School for the 
Deaf at Cave Spring, and the Floyd County and Rome public schools. 
Failure of the leading institutions in this group to pay a cost price for 
the printing (due largely to the general economic conditions) has put 
these sections over for further consideration. 

A few words about quoted articles. Most of the items with dates 
from 1920-22 affixed are from The Rome News, prior to that, after 1886, 
from The Tribune of Rome or The Tribune-Herald, and from 1850 to 1887 



XI. 



from The Rome Tri-Weekly Courier or Weekly Courier. An understand- 
ing of this scheme, it is beHeved, will assist the reader. 

It is hoped that the history will please the subscribers as well as prove 
of some use to them as a work of reference. A reading glass for aged 
eyes is recommended where type and pictures are small. In practically 
all cases the biographies have been submitted to the families for correc- 
tion and approval. A committee of Romans has kindly gone over most of 
the other data. Anecdotes are told — on our own clan, too — which we 
hope will be received in good part, for there is no intention to offend 
anyone. Romans are noted for speaking the truth fearlessly, and since 
we are all in one big family and are blessed with a sense of humor, we 
can well aft'ord to perpetuate the stories of our members for fireside en- 
joyment. A colorless story of Rome would be of no good and would find 
few willing consumers. 

With this much said by way of introduction, we salute our sub- 
scribers and friends, wish them a merry Christmas and a happy New 
Year, and unreservedly place our literary fate in their tender hands. 

GEO. M. BATTEY, JR. 
81 W. 14th St., 
Atlanta, Ga., 
Friday, Dec. 1, 1922. 

P. S. — Since the above was written, the decision was reached to include in 
Vol. I. no biographical sketches. It was believed best to hold over for considera- 
tion for Vol. II. all the 300 sketches rather than to print only a few to the ex- 
elusion of the many. A little extra financial support would have made possible 
the inclusion of all. Since it was not forthcoming, it seemed best to file this other 
valuable material. The recent vote by mail, by the way, was overwhelmingly 
in favor of holding the biographies for another time. The several persons who 
advanced money for sketches will be reimbursed or given extra copies of the 
present volume, as they prefer. We assure them and all others that we regret 
our inability to use this excellent data, which can only be improved with age. 
We will keep it intact in the confident hope that Romans will make its publication 
possible at some day in the near future. 

G. M. B. 




XII. 



Contents 



Frontispiece: THE CLOCK TOWER— By Virginia Robert Lipscomb, Girl Scout. 

Chapter Page 

I. The Spanish CavaHers and Their Quest for Gold 17 

DeSoto lands at Tampa Bay. — Reaches the Savannah River. — Meets an 
Indian princess.- — Takes the princess along as a hostage. — She escapes.— 
Arrival at Nacoochee. — Receives Indian dogs for his men to eat. — His 
route discussed. — Spends 30 da^s at Chiaha. — Enjoys pearl hunt. 

II. John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 22 

Hostile Cherokees in massacre. — Sevier puts them to flight and burns 
their towns. — Gen. Floyd defeats the Creeks in Alabama. — Early laws of 
the Indians. — The "Widow Fool" and the ferry. — Wm. Mcintosh killed. — 
Sequoyah's alphabet. — Missionaries imprisoned. — Pressure on the Indians. 

Part IL 

I. Rome's Establishment and Early Days ZZ 

Three travelers decide to establish a town.. — A fourth pioneer. — County 
site removal from Livingston to Rome authorized by legislature. — The 
homes of Ross and the Ridges. — The gander pulling and other early 
amusements. — The Green Corn dances. — Geo. Lavender, trading post man. — • 
Pioneer days at Cave Spring. 

II. The Great Indian Meeting at Rome 43 

The Cherokees' biggest pow-wow at Running Waters. — Speeches by the 
Ridges, Ross afnd the United States agents. — The Indians withdraw to the 
woods. — Government men continue to speak. — Mr. Schermerhorn's determi- 
nation to have a treaty. — Major Currey reports to Washington. — Ross fac- 
tion supreme. — Ridge's men listed. 

III. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 53 

"Home, Sweet Home" author bears letters to prominent Georgians. — 
Loves an Athens belle. — Departs for Indian country. — Is arrested with 
John Ross and guarded at Spring Place. — "Big John" Underwood, Rome 
grocer, one of his captors. — Payne's own account. — His arrest causes sen- 
sation. — "Old Hickory's" contribution. 

IV. Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Afifair 75 

"Rome Indians" in the Payne "picture." — Maj. Currey explains. — 
Frelinghuysen, Everett, Polk, Calhoun, Bell and White active. — "Lumpkin 
Press" lambastes Guard. — Legislature protests and Col. Bishop resigns. — 
Payne's anonymous letter. — A tragedy at the Vann house.^ — The Indians 
removed and the Ridges and Boudinot slain. — A Payne memorial. 

V. Growth from Village to Town 91 

Pioneers establish bank, inn, newspaper, churches, schools and stage 
lines. — John Ross converted to Methodism. — Alfred Shorter casts lot with 
the new town. — William Smith and the scuttled steamboat. — Early political 
campaigns. — Lumpkin, Miller, Underwood, Hackett and Wright. — Pickett's 
visit to Rome. — The Nobles, iron kings, appear. 

VI. Views and Events Leading Up to War 113 

The slavery agitation and efforts to halt "gentlemen from the North." — 
Warnings sounded by Dwinell and Stovall. — Mass meetings and resolu- 
tions.- — Trade boycott against the North. — Rome Light Guards active. — 
Stephens, Iverson and HiU speak in Rome. — Secessiorr, strongly favored. 

VII. Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities 125 

Feeling at fever heat. — Mayor thanks voters for "sober election." — Dr. 
Word elected. — Guns for Light Guards arrive. — Judge Wright on the in- 
auguration of Jefferson Davis. 

XIII. 



Part IIL 

I. Opening- of the Civil War — First Manassas 137 

Floyd companies depart. — Cannon and church bells announce war. — 
Casualty lists.— Incidents of the battle.— Capt. Magruder and Jeff Davis.— 
Death of Col. Bartow. — An illuminating letter from Richmond. — War 
profiteers rapped by the "home gaiard." 

II. A Rome Engine Chases the "General" 147 

Andrews' "Wild Raiders" steal state road engine in dash to burn 
bridges and tear up track. — Fuller joins in thrilling pursuit. — -"Wm. R. 
Smith" takes up chase at Kingston and aids capture. — Fugitives abandon 
engine. — Are caught in woods. — Some are hanged and some escape. 

III. Activities of the Folks at Home 153 

Women establish charity organization. — The Wayside Home. — A 
young "Rebel" with smallpox spreads terror. — Hospitals removed from 
Rome. — Hard times described back of the lines. 

IV. Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 161 

Federal commander tries foray of destruction. — Is engaged by Forrest 
with inferior force, and surrenders. — "Rebel" leader's strategy denounced 
by captive officers, who see Rome for first time. — Admiring women snip 
locks of Forrest's hair. — The "Battle of Rome," and John Wisdom's famous 
ride. — Forrest dodges Rome picnic. 

V. Sherman's Army Captures Rome 175 

Three forts are silenced and Davis, Vandever and Corse establish 
headquarters. — "Miss Lizzie's" adventure on Shorter Hill. — Sherman enters 
Rome twice and pursues Hood, who crosses the Coosa at Veal's ferry. — 
Hood flits through Texas valley. — Only a fiddle is needed as Rome burns. 

VI. Sherman's Movements as Told l)y Himself 181 

The campaign outlined. — Movements around Dalton, Resaca, Cassville, 
Da,llas and Rome. — Sherman's narrow escape. — Why Johnston refused 
battle. — Corse at AUatoona. — Sherman on Fourth Avenue.- — His message 
from Rome brings orders to march to the sea. 

VII. Extreme Desolation Pictured in Diary 197 

Bridges burned by retreating Confederates. — Church pews used for 
pontoons. — Famine and despair. — Citizen killed by scouts. — Letter tells of 
Romans' plight. 

VIII. Depredations of the Independent Scouts 205 

John Gatewood invades northwest Georgia. — Jack Colquitt's band. — 
John and Jim Prior take seven scout scalps. — "Little Zach" Hargrove 
to the rescue. 

Anecdotes and Reminiscences 211 

Miscellaneous 421 



Map 



s 

The Heart of Cherokee Georgia ^ 37 

The World 127 

The United States of America 155 

Rome in 1890 165 

The State of Georgia 387 

The County of Floyd 621 



XIV. 



PART I. 



THE DIM BEGINNINGS 

1540-1834 




CHAPTER I 
The Spanish Cavaliers and Their Quest for Gold 



M 



VNY years before the Eng- 
lish settled the first perma- 
nent colony in America at 
Jamestown, Va., in 1607, 
there existed a wild stretch of 
country at the southwestern end of 
the Appalachian ^Mountain chain, 
encompassing Avhat is now Rome 
and Floyd County, Ga., and which 
was inhabited only by tribes of In- 
dians who lived in wigwams made 
of bark and skins, and huts of 
rough pine and oak finished in red 
clay mortar. The waters of this re- 
gion, leaping through the moun- 
tain gorges in slender, silken 
streams, purled their way into the 
valleys and found outlets in the 
Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. 
They were alive with fish, especial- 
ly the upland streams with trout, 
and it used to be said that had the 
Indian possessed a hat, in many 
places he could have scooped up a 
hatful at a time. 

Large black bears went grubbing 
over the mountain tops in search of 
worms and roots, occasionally 
shambling into the fertile valleys 
below ; hungry wolves leaped free- 
ly through the forest trails ; deer 
penetrated the thickets and slaked 
their thirst at the sparkling brooks ; 
panthers and wildcats slunk se- 
renely from feeding ground to 
cavernous lair ; snakes of huge size 
and great number infested the 
rocky fastnesses, the sun-baked 
river banks and the grassy plains ; 
wild turkeys clucked along the 
leafy bowers and smaller birds of 
beautiful plumage dotted the trees 
of hillside, valley and swamp. 

Upon this primitive stage at 
some uncertain date had appeared 
the Indian, successor to the ill- 
fated Mound Builder of North 
America. Agile, bloodthirsty and 
possessing a keen appetite, the In- 



dian pursued by foot and in his 
swift canoe, with his trusty bow 
and arrow, the animals, birds and 
snakes, killed them and ate the 
fiesh, sometimes cooked, some- 
times raw, and made the skins into 
rugs, wigwam covers, robes, pa- 
poose bags and numerous orna- 
ments for his person. The Indian 
painted his face and, his body with 
a mixture of oil and clay, dressed 
himself in a wampum belt from 
Avhich depended a wildcat skin or 
kilt of liml)er grass or hair, and 
with a headdress of feathers which 
bung down to his waist he joined 
in the big tribal hunts or fared 
forth to fight enemy tribesmen. 
The Indian women, or squaws, did 
the routine work about the hut or 
wigwam settlements, took care of 
the children and strung beads and 
wove various materials into bas- 
kets, rugs and articles of clothing, 
and cultivated small patches of 
grain. 

From the time when Christopher 
Columbus discovered America in 
1492 and took possession in the 
name of the King and the Queen of 
Spain, the Indian was forced to 
count on the paleface as a po- 
tential foe who needed his hunt- 
ing grounds and his towns for col- 
onization purposes. The Spanish 
are regarded as the pioneer ex- 
plorers of America through their 
expeditions to Florida, the Land of 
Flowers, which embraced vastly 
more territory than the State of 
Florida of the present day. Juan 
Ponce DeLeon explored the coast 
of the Florida Peninsula in 1513, 
penetrated into the interior in 
search of the Fountain of Perpet- 
ual Youth, engaged the savages 
and was killed with a poisoned ar- 
row. Followed the cruel Narvaez 
to the west coast of the peninsula, 



18 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



where he set an example for the 
savages by loosing bloodhounds on 
the aged mother of an Indian chief, 
which tore her to pieces ; then he 
cut off the chief's nose and sent 
him to Cuba as a slave. The In- 
dians avenged this atrocity by driv- 
ing Narvaez to his ships ; a storm 
hit the vessels and Narvaez and all 
but four of his men were lost. 

Next in importance was Hernan- 
do (Ferdinand) DeSoto, wdio in his 
search of the Chiahan Eldorado in 
the hoj^e of filling the treasure 
chest of the King of Spain is sup- 
posed to have spent nearly 30 days 
on the present site of Rome. 

DeSoto had fought successfully 
in the Spanish wars of concjuest in 
Central America and Peru, when 
called by the king to cut a path 
through Florida, to work the gold 
mines and the pearl fisheries which 
earlier explorers had assured the 
king existed. Having recently mar- 
ried Dona Isabel de Bobadilla, 
member of the Spanish royal fam- 
ily and his social equal, whose 
father was his superior in wealth 
if not in manhood, DeSoto set sail 
from Spain on April 8. 1538, tak- 
ing with him his wife, 600 soldiers, 
200 horses and a herd of swine for 
food. DeSoto's "noble Six Hun- 
dred" carried arquebuses, match- 
locks, one cannon and a falconet 
(small cannon in general use at 
that time). They had plenty of 
ammunition, and led by tethers 
a pack of fierce bloodhounds. Plen- 
ty of iron chains, collars and wrist- 
lets were carried to put upon In- 
dian prisoners. Swine and cattle 
furnished a large part of the food, 
while pack mules bore the provis- 
ions. The personnel was made up of 
mechanics, builders and smiths 
monks, laymen and Catholic priests 
in robes. Quite a number of the 
fighters wore light armor which 
readily shed the sharp darts of the 
red-skins. They landed at Havana, 
Cuba, but after a short stay pro- 



ceeded up Florida's west coast, 
leaving Dona Isabel behind as gov- 
erness of the island. On Friday, 
May 30, 1539, DeSoto landed at 
the present Tampa Bay, where he 
took possession of Florida as Ade- 
lantado (governor), and where he 
wrote the city fathers of Santiago 
de Cuba wdiat was supposed to 
have been the only letter he sent 
back on his long and heart-break- 
ing journey. 

DeSoto immediately asked the 
Indians where gold and precious 
stones could be found ; they point- 
ed northward. He fought and dip- 
lomatized his way to the present 
Georgia-Florida line, encountering 
numerous physical difficulties ; 
Ihence he proceeded northwest- 
ward when told by a captured 
scout* of a province ruled over by 
a beautiful Indian princess, called 
Cutifachiqui, where his beasts 
might break their backs under the 
load of pearls and gold. The home 
of the princess is supposed to have 
been at Silver Bluff", Barnwell Co.. 
S. C, 25 miles southeast of Au- 
gusta, Ga., on the Savannah river, 
where George Golphin later lived. 
Here DeSoto was presented with 
a handsome string of large pearls 
by the Princess Cutifachiqui ; he 
dug heaps of pearls and relics out 
of Indian mounds, which the In- 
dians did not like, but they main- 
tained an appearance of acquiesc- 
ence. On leaving, he forced his gra- 
cious hostess to accompany the ex- 
pedition as a guide and protection 
against any possible attacks by her 
tribesmen. The Indian maid's 
knowledge of trails and woodcraft 
enabled her to escape in a few 
days and return to her settlement. 
DeSoto pressed northward in 
forced marches to relieve his weary 
and starving horses and men, and 
to seize or unearth gold for the 
king. 

*Juan Ortiz, who had been left by Narvaez 
and had since lived among the Indians. 



The Spanish Cavaliers and Their Quest for Gold 19 



While accounts differ as to the 
route DeSoto took through North 
Georgia, the authorities generally 
agree that after leaving Cutifachi ■ 
qui, DeSoto went to the' site of 
Yonah Mountain, in Nachoochee 
Valley, White County, where he 
mined a while and the Indians gave 
his troops many dogs to eat; also 
that he crossed the North Georgia 
mountains to the Connasauga Riv- 
er, thence followed the Oostanaula 
River to the junction of the Etowah 
River, where the Coosa forms, to 
Chiaha province and town, the 
modern site of Rome ; also that he 
followed the Coosa southwestward 
into Alabama, whence in time he 
pushed on across West Tennesssee 
and discovered the Mississippi Riv- 
er, in which he was buried after 
dying of fever in 1541. 

It is possible to mention these 
differences of opinion only in brief 
here. James Mooney, a careful stu- 
dent of the subject, held that De- 
Soto followed the Chattahoochee 
River headwaters down the val- 
leys of Habersham County, sight- 
ed Kennesaw (Keiisagi) Moun- 
tain in Cobb County, instead of the 
Connasauga River, (passing near 
the site of modern Atlanta), and 
instead of visiting Chiaha, visited 
Chehaw, a Creek town in Alabama 
below Columbus. It may be signifi- 
cant that Atlantans do not claim 
that DeSoto passed near their land. 

An understanding of the topog- 
raphy of the country, the aims and 
necessities of the expedition and 
the reasonable probabilities are 
prerecjuisites to a reconciliation of 
the viewpoints. Some aid may be 
found in the reflection that DeSoto 
often divided his force ; undoubt- 
edly he let the main body follow 
the rivers in the valleys, while 
prospecting parties penetrated 
through the mountains. Thus it is 
possible that his main force, with 
the heavy equipment and pigs, 
started down the headwaters of 



the Chattahoochee in Habersham 
County, bore to the northwest, 
crossed the headwaters of the Eto- 
wah and followed the Etowah to 
Rome, discovering and exploring 
the huge Indian mound on the 
Tumlin place three miles south of 
Cartersville ; also that the mining 
group, after exploring the moun- 
tains nearly to the Tennessee line, 
came to the Connasauga River and 
followed the Oostanaula River 
down to Rome, where he joined 
the other unit. Chiaha Town was 
described by the early chroniclers 
of the expedition as an island. That 
impression might easily be made 
on an explorer crossing the creeks 
north of Rome whose headwaters 
nearly touch, and passing on down 
the peninsula to the water on all 
sides. 

It is quite possible, moreover, 
that 382 years ago a canal con- 
nected the Oostanaula and Eto- 
wah rivers, passing through North 
Rome and making an island of 
the narrow neck of land between 




FERDINAND DeSOTO, Spanish cavalier who 
it is generally accepted visited the site of 
Rome in 1540, searching for gold for his king. 



20 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



the streams at their junction. An- 
other theory is that the DeSoto 
district (now better known as the 
Fourth ward), which is supposed to 
have been where the Spanish camp- 
ed, was once an island, having- been 
cut off by a break in the Oosta- 
naula near the mouth of Little Dry 
Creek, which found its way 
through the lowlands and entered 
the Coosa above Horseleg Creek, 
forming a body of land of not less 
than 250 acres. 

Both of these suppositions find 
encouragement in freaks of nature 
Avhich are observable in the life- 
time of the average man. Less than 
a decade ago Perkins Lsland, in the 
Etowah River, near the foot of 
Fifth Avenue, was yielding sand to 
a concern which for many years 
had sold to contractors who were 
erecting the most substantial build- 
ings in Rome. In 1920 suit was filed 
in the Superior Court of Floyd 
county by the Perkins heirs against 
Mrs. J. Lindsay Johnson to prevent 
her from removing the sand. Mrs. 
Johnson's answer recited that the 
island had stood opposite her East 
Rome farm, separated from the 
mainland by a narrow body of wa- 
ter. Accretions of sand and silt had 
filled up this channel and made the 
island part of the mainland ; there- 
fore, as she claimed, the former 
island belonged to her. 

Another island which has be- 
come part of the mainland in like 
manner was at Nixon's sand bar, 
Coosa River, just below and across 
from the mouth of Horseleg Creek. 
There are no examples as con- 
spicuous as these in which new 
islands have been formed, but ex- 
amples are common elsewhere, 
notably in the Mississippi Valley. 

Certain historians who do not 
believe DeSoto camped at the pres- 
ent site of Rome locate the island 
down the Coosa in Alabama, near 
the Georgia line. However, Pick- 
ett, Jones, Knight and others hold 



that Chiaha settlement and the 
present site of Rome are identical, 
and that the route proceeded down 
the Coosa. It is worthy of note 
that DeSoto resisted the suppli- 
cations of his men to turn back 
toward his ships and first landing 
place, and insisted on striking re- 
peatedly northward in search of 
gold. Although he followed a zig- 
zag course, his trail was generally 
northwestward, allowing for a con- 
siderable zag toward Mobile, where 
he won a great battle with the 
Indians. At Chiaha he dispatched 
two cavaliers on a ten-day journey 
riorthward. There appears to have 
been no point in his going below 
Columbus, Avhere in July it is much 
hotter than the North Georgia 
mountains. 

The Indians all along the route 
had told DeSoto of the rich prov- 
ince of Chiaha, the Eldorado of 
his dreams. To the principal 
towns of this province De- 
vSoto had sent scouts to de- 
mand of the chiefs a two months' 
supply of maize (Indian corn). On 
June 4, 1540, DeSoto entered Chia- 
ha Town via the valleys of the 
west bank of the Oostanaula Riv- 
er, camped his cohorts along what 
has for many years been known as 
the DeSoto Road of the DeSoto 
District of Floyd County, and 
crossed the Oostanaula River 
(probably in canoes) with his ad- 
vance guard. Here he was warmly 
received by the young chief, who 
spake substantially as follows as 
he handed DeSoto a long string of 
perfect pearls :* 

Mighty Chief: Into this beautiful 
and beloved country which our fathers 
have hunted for the beasts and birds 
of the forest and handed down to us 
a long time ago, and in which we wor- 
ship the Spirit of the Sun with all the 
strength of our natures, we welcome 
you as friends and brothers. Stay 



*This speech is supposed to be more nearly typ- 
ical of Indian nature and disposition than the 
polished versions of the chroniclers, which are 
unmistakably Spanish. 



The Spanish Cavaliers and Their Quest for Gold 



21 



with us as long as you desire; live in 
our houses, fish and hunt with us in 
our choice places, and accept our gifts 
offered you from our hearts. Tell us 
at once your mission, that we may 
serve you with the fidelity of the stars. 
You have asked of my good people 
supply of maize to sustain your power- 
ful tribe two months. Here you will 
find 20 barbacoas (barns) bursting 
with our best grain. Welcome ! May 
your people and my people enjoy a 
peaceful friendship that will be as 
strong as the mountains and last as 
long as the sun shines warm and the 
rivers of Chiaha run cold. 

Through an interpreter DeSoto 
thanked the chief cordially, then 
gave to him some trinkets and 
coins. 

"Chocklestee ! — Sit down !" in- 
vited the chief, and turning to a 
group of copper-colored warriors. 



he said : "Talahi — chetawga — chis- 
qua !" The men ran to a picketed 
enclosure and brought many fowls 
and dogs for the hungry Spaniards 
to eat, after which the young chief 
announced that DeSoto wotdd stop 
at "akwenasa" (my home). 

DeSoto is supposed to have spent 
26-30 days in Chiaha, after which 
he went through Alabama and 
Western Tennessee and discovered 
the Mississippi River at Chicka- 
saw Bluff, below Memphis. He died 
shortly after and was buried in 
the Mississippi to prevent the In- 
dians from destroying his corpse. 
His wife died in Cuba of a broken 
heart, following her husband short- 
ly. She had had no word from him 
since his departtire. 




CHAPTER II. 
John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 



I 



N SEPTEMBER, 1793, an 
event was cataloo-ued in 



which the site of Rome was 
brought to the attention of 
the country. Gen. John Sevier* de- 
scended upon Cherokee Georgia 
from Tennessee, chasing with his 
800 men 1,000 Indians who had 
scalped and killed thirteen people 
at Cavett's Station, near Knox- 
ville, and had retreated southward. 
Gen. Sevier swept out of his path 
such resistance as was offered, and 
burned a number of Indian towns. 
Presently he arrived at Oostanau- 
la, near the forks of the Coosa- 
wattee and Connasauga rivers, and 
after burning this village, divided 
his force. With half he proceeded 
down the Oostanaula, while Col- 
onel Kelly and Major Evans were 
detailed to take the other half 
down the Etowah river, and to de- 
stroy such towns as they found. 
On Oct. 17, 1793, the Battle of Eto- 
wah was fought. 

The Kelly-Evans force discov- 
ered the main body of the fleeing 
Indians at a rocky bluff across the 
Etowah. Some say this was where 
the Southern Railway now crosses 
the river, about a mile above Rome, 
while others hold it was quite a 
distance farther down the stream. 
The Indians had felled numerous 
trees and behind these had sought 
protection, while a few hid in the 
rocky fissures of the bluff. Many 
others had been strung out down 
the river bank to protect a ford. 
A clever ruse dislodged the In- 
dians and brought about their de- 
feat. The two officers took their 
force below the crossing point. Col- 
onel Kelly and several others 
plunged their horses in and swam 
across. Thinking the whole force 
was coming into the water and 
hoping to shoot them with ar- 



rows and guns before they could 
get out, part of the Indians left 
their protection and bore down 
upon the Colonel and his squad, 
who quickly dashed back into the 
Etowah. In the meantime, Capt. 
Evans had back-tracked his force 
to the ford, and there crossing, fell 
heavily upon the surprised foe, and 
put them to flight with a heavy 
loss. For many years later Indian 
bones and relics could be found in 
the crevasses of the hill. 

Such of the Indians as escaped 
•swam the river at Myrtle Hill 
cemetery, and made a stand at the 
Avestern foot of it. Gen. Sevier hav- 
ing come up with his force, the 
frontiersmen inflicted terrible 
slaughter upon the red-skins, and 
drove them in confusion down 
the Coosa Valley. Sevier is 
also said to have destroyed Coosa 
Old Town at this time. This was a 
villag'e which has been located by 
certain people on the Nixon farm 
and by others below it on the Coosa 
River. 

It so happened that most of these 
Tennessee "squirrel hunters" were 
volunteers who had had a friend or 
relative killed at Cavett's Station, 
and among them we find a youth 
of tender years named Hugh Law- 
son White.** Historians relate that 
in this engagement the young pale- 
face shot a minie ball into the 
breast of Chief King Fisher, one of 
the leaders of the Indian horde, 
killing him instantly and causing 
the Indian ranks to break in con- 



*Gen. Sevier was a Tennesseean and the an- 
cestor of the Underwoods, the Rowells, the 
Nevins, the Fattens, the O'Neills, the Wylys 
and others of Rome. The Cherokees called him 
"Nollichucky Jack." A monument glorifying 
his exploit at the site of Rome was erected 
at the western base of Myrtle Hill cemetery by 
the Xavier Chapter of the Daughters of the 
American Revolution. 

**A kinsman of Dr. James Park, of Knox- 
ville, and his descendants, including Mrs. B. I. 
Hughes and Mrs. T. F. Howel, of Rome. 



John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 



23 



fusion. Forty-two years later Hugh 
Lawson White became a noted man 
in Tennessee — a judge, Senator 
and friend and supporter of Presi- 
dent Andrew Jackson, with many 
of the Jacksonian attributes. In 
1835 he was nominated for presi- 
dent by the Whigs, and carried his 
own state over Martin Van Buren, 
the Democratic nominee, by 10,000 
majority. It was said that Jack- 
son's support would have won for 
Judge White, but it was captured 
by Van Buren. 

A more complete account of the 
Battle of Etowah is found in the 
Tennessee Historical Magazine 
(Nashville), 1918, Vol. IV, pages 
207-9-10: 

Finding the authorities powerless, 
the patience of the Cherokees gave 
way, and the latter part of August, 
1793, provided unmistakable evidence 
of Indian hostility. The settlements 
were put in a posture of defense. Gen. 
Sevier was posted at Ish's station, 
across the river from Knoxville, with 
400 mounted infantry. . . . On the 
evening of Sept. 24, John Watts, at 
the head of a large body of Indians, 
estimated at 1,000 men or more, com- 
posed of Cherokees and Creeks, cross- 
ed the Tennessee river below the mouth 
of Holston and marched all night in 
the direction of Knoxville. They avoid- 
ed Campbell's station, passed within 
three miles of Ish's, and daylight 
found them in sight of Cavett's sta- 
tion, eight miles west of Knoxville . . . 

Col. Watts had with him some of 
the most intractable chiefs of the na- 
tion . . . The chiefs disputed whether 
they should kill everybody in Knoxville 
or only the men. Doublehead insisted 
on the former. An altercation be- 
tween Doublehead and Vann was long 
and heated. Vann had a little boy, a 
captive, riding behind him. Double- 
head became so infuriated that he killed 
the little boy. . . . 

In sight of Cavett's station there 
v/as a block house in which Alexander 
Cavett and family of thirteen people 
resided, only three of whom were gun 
men. The three made a brave resist- 
ance. Alexander Cavett, the father, 
died with bullets in his mouth, which 
he had placed there to facilitate load- 
ing. Five Indians fell dead or wound- 
ed before their rifles. This checked 



the assaults and brought on a parley. 
The Bench, Watts' nephew, who spoke 
English, agreed with the besieged 
that if they surrendered, their lives 
should be spared, and they should be 
exchanged for a like number of In- 
dian prisoners. These terms were ac- 
cepted and the little garrison sur- 
rendered. 

As soon as they left the blockhouse, 
Doublehead and his party fell upon 
them and put them all to death in 
the most barbarous manner, except 
Alexander Cavett, Jr., who was saved 
by the interposition of Col. Watts, 
though he was afterwards killed in 
the Creek towns . . . 

Gen. Sevier being reinforced until 
his army numbered about 700, he 
marched rapidly southward until Oct. 
14, 1793, when he reached the beloved 
town of Estaunaula. The town was 
deserted, but since it contained abund- 
ant provisions, Sevier halted and rest- 
ed his men. The Indians undertook 
to disperse his camp at night, but the 
attack was unsuccessful. From some 
Cherokee prisoners taken at Estau- 
naula it was learned that the main 
body of the enemy, composed of Cher- 
okees and Creeks, had passed the place 
a few days previously, and were mak- 



^-:^^^ <^^ 




'Wj 



GEN. JOHN SEVIER, early governor of Ten- 
nessee, who in 1793 routed a band of Indians 
on Rome's site and slew Chief Kingfisher. 



24 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



ing for a town at the mouth of the 
Etowah river. After refreshijig his 
troops, Gen. Sevier followed the enemy, 
reaching the confluence of the Etowah 
and the Oostanaula rivers on the eve- 
ning of the 17th. 

The Creeks and a number of Cher- 
okees had intrenched themselves on 
opposite banks of the Etowah, to ob- 
struct its passage. A happy mistake 
on the part of the guides, Carey and 
P'indleston''% saved the day for the 
whites. They carried Col. Kelly's 
force half a mile below the ford, 
where he and a few others immediate- 
ly swam the river. The Indians, dis- 
covering this movement, abandoned 
their intrenchments and rushed down 
the river to oppose Col. Kelly. Capt. 
Evans, discovering the error, wheel- 
ed, and straining his horses back to 
the ford, dashed into the river. The 
Indians at the ford, under the com- 
mand of King Fisher, a Cherokee 
chief of the first consequence, saw 
their mistake, and, returning, received 
Capt. Evans' connpany furiously at 
the crossing of the bank. 

The engagement was hot and spirit- 
ed. The King Fisher made a daring 
sally within a few yards of H. L. 
White, afterwards the distinguished 
jurist and statesman. He and some 
of his comrades discharged their rifles, 
the King Fisher fell and his warriors 
abandoned the field. The whites lost 
three men in the engagement. This 
campaign ended the war and closed 
the military careers of Col. Watts and 
Gen. Sevier. 

Gen. Sevier's official report of 
the battle follows :** 

Ish's Mills, Tenn., 25 Oct., 1793. 
Sir: 

In obedience to an order from Sec- 
retary Smith, I marched in pursuit of 
the large body of Indians who on the 
25th of last month did the mischief 
in Knox County, Grassy Valley. . . . 

We directed our march for Esta- 
naula'''** on the Coosa**'''* river, at 
which place we arrived on the 14th 
instant. . . . We there made some 
Cherokee prisoners, who informed us 
that John Watts headed the army late- 
ly out on our frontiers; that the same 
was composed of Indians more or less 
from every town in the Cherokee na- 
tion; that from the Turkey's Town, 
Sallyquoah, Coosawaytah and several 
other principal ones almost to a man 
was out, joined by a large number of 
the upper Creeks, who had passed that 



place on their return only a few days 
since, and had made for a town at the 
mouth of Hightower river.***** 

We, after refreshing the troops, 
marched for that place, taking the 
path that leads to that town, along 
which the Creeks had marched, in five 
large trails. 

On the 17th instant, in the after- 
noon, we arrived at the forks of Coosa 
and Hightower rivers. Col. Kelly was 
ordered with a part of the Knox reg- 
iment to endeavor to cross the High- 
tower. The Creeks and a number of 
Cherokees had intrenched themselves 
to obstruct the passage. Col. Kelly 
and his party passed down the river 
half a mile below the ford and began 
to cross at a private place, where 
there was no ford. Himself and a 
few others swam over the river. The 
Indians, discovering this movement, 
immediately left their intrenchments 
and ran down the river to oppose their 
passage, expecting, as I suppose, the 
whole intended crossing at the lower 
place. 

Capt. Evans immediately with his 
company of mounted infantry strained 
their horses back to the upper ford 
and began to cross the river. Very 
few had, got to the south bank before 
the Indians, who had discovex'ed their 
mistake, returned and received them 
furiously at the rising of the bank. 
An engagement instantly took place 
and became very warm, and notwith- 
standing the enemy were at least four 
to one in numbers, besides the advan- 
tage of situation, Capt. Evans with 
his heroic company put them in a short 
time utterly to flight. They left sev- 
eral dead on the ground, and were 
seen to carry others off both on foot 
and on horse. Bark and trails of 
blood from the wounded were to be 
seen in every quarter. 

The encampment fell into our hands, 
with a number of their guns, many of 
which were of the Spanish sort, with 
budgets, plankets and match coats, to- 
gether with some horses. We lost 
three men in this engagement, which 
is all that have fell during the time 
of our route, although this last attack 
was the fourth the enemy had made 
upon us, but in the others repulsed 
without loss. 



*R'chard Finnelson. 

**Sevier's report was evidently made to Gov. 
Wm. Blount. It is here presented from Ramsey's 
Annals of Tennessee, ps. 587-8. 

***Several miles east of Resaca. 

****Now Oostanaula. 

*****Site cf Rome. 



John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 



25 



After the last engagement we cross- 
ed the main Coosa, then proceeded on 
our way down the main river near the 
Turnip Mountain, '■' destroying in our 
way several Creek and Cherokee 
towns, which they had settled together 
on each side of the river, and from 
which they have all fled with appar- 
ent precipitation, leaving almost every- 
thing behind them. Neither did they 
after the last engagement attempt to 
annoy or interrupt us on our march, 
in any manner whatever. I have got 
reason to believe their ardor and spirit 
was well checked. 

The party flogged at Hightower 
were those which had been out with 
Watts. There are three or four men 
slightly wounded and two or three 
horses killed, but the Indians did not, 
as I heard of, get a single horse from 
us the time we were out. We took 
and destroyed nearly 300 beeves, many 
of which were of the best and largest 
kind. Of course their losing so much 
pi'ovision must distress them very 
much. 

Many women and children might 
have been taken, but from motives 
of humanity I did not encourage it to 
be done, and several taken were suf- 
fered to make their escape. Your Ex- 
cellency knows the disposition of many 
that were out on this expedition, and 
can readily account for this conduct. 

The National Encyclopedia of 
American Biography, Vol. II, page 
395, gives Hugh Lawson White 
credit for the death of the Indian 
chief mentioned above : "A war 
with the Cherokees breaking out, 
he volunteered under Gen. Sevier. 

. . and at Etowah shot and mor- 
tally wounded the Cherokee chief, 
King Fisher, thus ending the bat- 
tle." 

The next military event of im- 
portance to Cherokee Georgia 
was the invasion of Alabama by 
Gen. John Floyd in 1814. Gen. Floyd 
was a native of Souih Carolina and 
a descendant of noted fighting men. 
He owned Fairfield Plantation, 
Camden County, where he died 
June 24, 1839, after having served 
in the State Legislature and in 
Congress. He defeated the Creek 
Indians, allies of the British, at 



Autossee, Fort Defiance, and Chin- 
ibee, Ala., and so complete was the 
rout that the warlike Creeks as 
a nation never afterward became 
dangerous along the border, and 
the comparatively peaceful settle- 
ment of Northwest Georgia was 
made possible. 

Another civilizing influence 
about this time was the invention 
of the Cherokee alphabet of 85 
characters by Sequoyah (George 
Guess or Gist), an uneducated In- 
dian who lived at Alpine, Chattoo- 
ga County, and who was a fre- 
quent visitor to Major Ridge's at 
his home on the Oostanaula. Se- 
quoyah wrote on bark with poke- 
berry juice, instructed his little 
daughter and any Indian who 
wished to learn. He went west to 
the Indian country in a few years, 
and presently his alphabet was 
adopted by the Cherokee Nation 
and was used along with English in 
copies of the Cherokee Phoenix, 




*Site of Coosa village. 



GEN. JOHN FLOYD, Indian fighter and Con- 
gressman, after whom in 1832 Floyd County 
was named. 



26 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



the paper edited at New Echota by 
Elias Boudinot. 

Several glimpses into Indian and 
frontier life are given in "The Laws 
of the Cherokees," published by 
the Cherokee Advocate at Tahle- 
quah, Okla., in 1852. One of these 
if contained in an order from the 
chiefs and warriors in National 
Council at "Broom's Town," Sept. 
11, 1808. (Broom's Town was 
probably Broom Town, Cherokee 
County, Ala., in Broom Town Val- 
ley, and about five miles from 
Cloudland, Chattooga County, Ga.). 
The order forms "regulating com- 
panies" of one captain, one lieu- 
tenant and four privates each, at 
annual salaries of $50, $40 and $30, 
respectively, for the purpose of 
arresting horse thieves and pro- 
tecting property. The penalty for 
stealing a horse was 100 lashes on 
the bare back of the thief, be he 
man or woman, and fewer lashes 
for things of less value ; and if a 
thief resisted the "regulators" with 
gun, axe, spear or knife, he could 
be killed on the spot. 




_J 



SEQUOYAH (Geo. Guess), inventor of the 
Cherokee Alphabet, who was born in Chat- 
tooga County, near Alpine. 



This law was signed by Black 
Fox, principal chief; Chas. Hicks, 
secretary to the Council ; Path 
Killer and Toochalar. These offi- 
cials and Turtle at Home, Speaker 
of the Council, drafted the follow- 
ing law Apr. 10, 1810, at "Oostan- 
nallah," a town supposed to have 
been located about three miles east 
of Resaca, Gordon County, on the 
east bank of the Connasauga 
(sometimes known at that point 
as Oostanaula) River, near the 
mouth of Polecat Creek : 

Be it known that this day the various 
clans and tribes which compose the 
Cherokee Nation have agreed that 
should it happen that a brother, for- 
getting his natural affection, should 
use his hand in anger and kill his 
brother, he shall be accounted guilty 
of murder and suffer accordingly; and 
if a man has a horse stolen, and over- 
takes the thief, and should his anger 
be so great as to cause him to kill 
him, let his blood remain on his own 
conscience, but no satisfaction shall 
be demanded for his life from his rel- 
atives or the clan he may belong to. 

"Echota" was the Cherokee term 
for "town." The first capital is said 
by some authorities to have been 
originally in Virginia, the second 
in North Carolina and the third in 
East Tennessee. Prior to 1825, it 
appears, John Ross, principal chief, 
lived at Ross' Landing, Tennessee 
River, now Chattanooga. The first 
mention in the Cherokee laws of 
New Town (or New Echota) was 
under date of Oct. 26, 1819. This 
place was situated on tiie south 
bank of the Oostanaula River, in 
Gordon County, Ga., just below 
the confluence of the Coosawattee 
and the Connasauga Rivers and 
presumably three miles south of 
Oostanaula village. 

On Oct. 28, 1819, at NeAvtown 
the following order was passed : 

This day decreed by the National 
Committee and Council, That all citi- 
zens of the Cherokee Nation establish- 
ing a store for the purpose of vend- 
ing merchandise shall obtain license 
for that purpose from the clerk of the 



John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 



27 



National Council, for which each and 
every person so licensed shall pay a 
tax of $25 per annum, and that no 
other but citizens of the Cherokee Na- 
tion shall be allowed to establish a per- 
manent store within the Nation. And 
it is also decreed that no peddlers not 
citizens of the Nation shall be permit- 
ted to vend merchandise in the Nation 
without first obtaining license from 
the Agent of the United States for the 
Cherokee Nation, agreeably to the laws 
of the United States, and each and 
everyone so licensed shall pay $80 to 
the treasurer of the Cherokee Nation 
annually. 

This law was signed by John 
Ross, President of the National 
Committee ; Path Killer, Chas. R. 
Hicks and Alex McCoy, clerk. 
Three years later George M. Lav- 
ender encotmtered its provisions 
by establishing the first trading 
post near Rome, at the old home 
of Major Ridge up the Oostanaula 
River. 

The first reference to the pres- 
ent site of Rome appears in a law 
passed Oct. 30, 1819, at New Town, 
as follows : 

Whereas, the Big Rattling Gourd*, 
Wm. Grimit, Betsey Brown, The Dark, 
Daniel Griffin and Mrs. Lesley hav- 
ing complained before the Chiefs of a 
certain company of persons having 
formed a combination and established 
a turnpike arbitrarily, in opposition 
to the interest of the above-named 
persons, proprietors of a privileged 
turnpike on the same road, be it now, 
therefore, known 

That said complaint having been 
submitted by the Council to the Na- 
tional Committee for a decision, and 
after maturely investigating into the 
case, have decided that the said new 
company of the disputed turnpike shall 
be abolished, and that the above-named 
persons are the only legal proprietors 
to establish a turnpike on the road 
leading from Widow Fool's (ferry) at 
the forks of High tower (Etowah) and 
Oostannallah Rivers to Will's Creek by 

*The Big: Rattling Gourd was a sub-chief 
who lived at cne time at Cave Spring. His wife 
proved unfaithful to him and in a moment of 
anpter he bit off her nose and otherwise so 
maltreated her that she died. According to Mrs. 
Harriet Connor Stevens, of Cave Spring, she 
was buried on the spot where the Cave Spring 
postoffice now stands. 

**General route of the present Alabama 
Road. Turkey Town was in Etowah County, Ala. 



w-ay of Turkey Town;** and the said 
company shall be bound to keep in re- 
pair said road, to commence from the 
first creek east of John Fields, Sr's 
home, by the name where Vann was 
shot, and to continue westward to the 
extent of their limits; and that the 
Widow Fool shall also keep in repair 
for the benefit of her ferry at the fork, 
the road to commence from the creek 
above named to where Ridge's Road now 
intersects said road east of her ferry, 
and that the Ridges shall also keep in 
repair the road to commence at the 
Two Runs, east of his ferry, and to 
continue by way of his ferry as far 
as where his road intersects the old 
road, leading from the fork west of 
his ferry, and that also the High- 
tower Turnpike Co. shall keep in re- 
pair the road from the Two Runs to 
where it intersects the Federal Road, 
near Blackburn's. 

This law was signed by Ross, 
Path Killer, Hicks and McCoy. 

In 1820, also at New Town or 
N^ew Echota, a law was passed di- 
viding the Cherokee country of 
Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee 
into eight territorial and judicial 
districts : Amoah, Aquohee, Chal- 
loogee, Chickamaugee, Coosewa- 
tee, Etowah, Hickory Log and 
Tahquohee. In a description of 
the Coosewatee District the ferry 
of the Widow Fool is again men- 
tioned. 

It would appear that for about 
six years, from 1819 to 1825, the 
Cherokee National Committee and 
Council held their meetings at New 
Echota. On Nov. 12, 1825, it was 
resolved to establish a town with 
suitable buildings, wide streets and 
a park : 

That 100 town lots of one acre 
square be laid off on the Oostannallah 
River, commencing below the mouth 
of the creek (Town), nearly opposite 
to the mouth of Caunasauga River, the 
public square to embrace two acres of 
ground, which town shall be known 
and called Echota. There shall be a 
main street of 60 feet, and the other 
streets shall be 50 feet. 

That the lots when laid off be sold 
to the highest bidder, the second Mon- 
day in February next, the proceeds 



28 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



to be appropriated for the benefit of 
the public buildings in said town. 

That three commissioners, Judge 
Martin, George Saunders and Walter 
S. Adair, superintend the laying off of 
the lots. 

That all the ground lying within the 
following bounds, not embraced by the 
lots, shall remain as commons for the 
convenience of the town: beginning 
at the mouth of the creek, opposite the 
mouth of Caunasauga, and up said 
creek to the mouth of the dry branch 
on which Geo. Hicks lives, up said 
branch to the point of the ridges, and 
thence in a circle around along said 
ridges, by the place occupied by the 
Crying Wolf (lately occupied by War 
Club), thence to the river. 

Signing this document were John 
Ross, President of the National 
Committee ; Major Ridge,* Speak- 
er of the Council ; Path Killer, 
Chas. R. Hicks,** A. McCoy, clerk 
of the National Committee, and 
Elias Boudinot, clerk of the Na- 
tional Council. 

Thus we see the Cherokees, driv- 
en from pillar to post by the en- 
croaching pale-faces, marshaling 
their forces for a last ditch stand. 
Their first expedient was to estab- 
lish "a nation within a nation," 
hence the concentration of power 
in a Principal Chief, a National 
Committee and a National Coun- 
cil, and a regular seat of govern- 
ment at New Echota ; their second 
expedient was resort to such force 
as they could command — highway 
assassination, attacks on isolated 
families, tribal uprisings — and 
finally, when state and federal gov- 
ernment pressure became too 
great, non-intercourse and passive 
resistance. Their newspaper proved 
a feeble weapon. 

As far back as the presidency of 
George Washington (1794) we find 
pow-wows in Philadelphia (then 
the national capital) with the Cher- 
okees and other tribes of the va- 
rious states in the east and the 
southeast. In 1803 Thos. Jefiferson, 
then President, suggested a gen- 
eral movement westward. In 1817 



and in 1819, during the Presidency 
of James Monroe, important trea- 
ties were signed with the Chero- 
kees, involving cessions of land. In 
1802, during the administration of 
Mr. Jefiferson, Georgia had ceded to 
the United States government all 
the land she owned westward to 
the Mississippi River, now the 
states of Alabama and Mississippi, 
in exchange for the government's 
promise to extinguish the Indian 
title to land within Georgia's pres- 
ent boundaries. Twenty years 
passed ; nothing having been done. 
Gov. Geo. M. Troup pressed the 
matter upon the attention of Presi- 
dent James Monroe, and the Presi- 
dent called a meeting in 1825 for 
Indian Springs. Here the Lower 
Creeks, led by Gen. Wm. Mcintosh, 
ignored the hostile Alabama 
Creeks, who did not attend, and 
signed away their Georgia lands. 
This act infuriated the Alabama 
Creeks, and 170 men volunteered to 
kill Gen. Mcintosh, who lived at 
"Mcintosh Reserve,"onthe Chatta- 
hoochee River, five miles southwest 
of Whitesburg, in what is now Car- 
roll County. The band lay in the 
woods until 3 o'clock one morning, 
and proceeded to the Mcintosh 
home with a quantity of pitch pine 
on the backs of three warriors. 
Presently the pine knots were ig- 
riited and thrown under the house, 
and the structure blazed up 
brightly. From the second story 
Mcintosh fought ofif his enemies 
with four guns, but eventually the 
heat forced him to descend, and 
when he exposed himself he was 
shot, then dragged into the yard 
and killed with knives. 

The Alabama Creeks having 
claimed the Indian Springs instru- 
ment was "no treaty," the incom- 

*Major Ridge was a powerful orator, but it 
is said he was uneducated and could not write 
his name. The state papers of the Cherokees 
usually have after his name "his mark." Path 
Killer also signed by touching the pen. 

**Chas. R. Hicks became the first principal 
chief after the Cherokees had set up their re- 
vised structure of government at New Echota. 
He was succeeded in 1828 by John Ross. 



John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 



29 



ing president, John Ouincy Adams, 
took their side and ordered Gov. 
Troup not to survey the lands just 
ceded. The Georgia Governor de- 
fied Mr. Adams and told him if 
United States troops invaded Geor- 
gia soil, Georgia troops would put 
them off. Trouble was averted by 
a new agreement in which the In- 
dians were given about $28,000. 

The Creek settlement furnished 
a suggestion for the agents who 
ten years later negotiated with a 
minority faction of the Cherokees, 
as will be told more fully herein 
hereafter. Farther down, in South 
Georgia and Florida, were the 



such establishment. Samuel A. 
Worcester, a native of Worcester, 
Mass., had charge of a mission 
at New Echota. Missionary 
Station, at Coosa, Floyd Coun- 
ty, was in the care of Rev. 
and Mrs. Elijah Butler, who were 
sent out from South Canaan, Conn., 
by the American Baptist Commit- 
tee on Foreign Missions. In 1831 
Dr. Worcester, Dr. Butler and nine 
others were sentenced to a term of 
four years in the Georgia peni- 
tentiary at Milledgeville, and 
served a year and four months. 
They were charged with pernicious 
activities among the Indians. Their 



OOclM J^t^aC9i^c;Gu>a(X)/cjT{el*'ge The C !e VI me^/lneCOt^ue 4se 
Ode l-re Lt!e Vt^e(£/weD^e 1 ^51 C^ Jit 1 li JH wi R ni () qui 
Jj siftl d, ri t, C^lilftsi (9u;i>/9|io}oX\^or hoib loj mojUno 



'3 



r 



HsoO du ItluC^ tSO f3)wL) Jt5/>^ OlJs. 



THE CHEROKEE ALPHA.BPT 



Seminoles, who gave considerable 
trouble, but were generally less of 
a bone of contention than the 
Creeks and the Cherokees. 

The clan system among the 
Cherokees was abolished about 
1800. The clans were Wolf, Deer, 
Paint, Longhair, Bird, Blind Sa- 
vannah and Holly. Jno. Ross was 
a Bird, Major Ridge a Deer and 
David Vann a Wolf. 

Prior to 1820 Congress appro- 
priated $10,000 yearly toward the 
maintenance of missions and mis- 
sionaries among the Indians of 
Cherokee Georgia and contiguous 
territory. The Brainerd Mission 
was located on Missionary Ridge. 
Tenn., and was probably the first 



release was brought about when 
they agreed to leave the State. 

Pressure on the Indians may be 
said to have been exerted from two 
directions ; it proceeded from the 
oldest section of the State, the 
neighborhood of Augusta, Savan- 
nah and Darien, in a generally 
northwesterly direction, and from 
South Carolina, in a westerly di- 
rection. Various land speculators, 
adventurers, criminals and good, 
substantial people began to over- 
run the Cherokee country. Under 
letter date of Aug. 6, 1832, from 
the Council Ground at Red Clay, 
Whitfield County, the following 
red-skins protested to Lewis Cass, 



30 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Secretary of War, against the pale- 
face encroachments :* 

Richard Taylor, President of Com- 
mittee; John Ridge. 

Major Ridge, his x mark, Geo. M. 
Waters, Executive Council. 

Wm. Roques, clerk of committee. 

John Ross, Going Snake, speaker of 
committee; Joseph Vann, David Vann, 
James Daniel, Thos. Foreman, Alexan- 
der McDaniel, his x mark; Fox Bald- 
ridge, Samuel Gunter; Chincumkah, 
his X mark; Young Glass, hixxmark; 
John Foster, Te-sat-es-kee, his x mark; 
Ed. Duncan, John Watts, his x mark; 
John Wayne, his x mark; Sit-u-akee, 
his X mark; Bean Stick, his x mark; 
Walking Stick, his x mark; N. Connell, 
Richard P^ielding, John Timson, Wm. 
Boling, George Still, his x mark; Hair 
Conrad, hisxmai'k; Sleeping Rabbit,"'* 
his X mark ; Archibald Campbell, his x 
mark; The Buck, his x mark; White 
Path, his X mark; John R. Daniel, 
Ruquah, his x mark; James Speaks, 
his X mark ; Sweet Water, his x mark ; 
Peter, his x mark; Soft Shell Turtle, 
his X mark; A. McCoy, George Lowry. 
U. S. Agent Elisha W. Chester, wit- 
ness. 



It was not until Oct. 23, 1832, 
however, that the situation became 
so acute as to call for the most 
delicate diplomacy from national 
and state governments. Then it 
was that the lottery drawings for 
the Cherokee lands were held, and 
tlie influx of settlers became gen- 
eral. Like a plague of locusts the 
new-comers alighted on the choice 
hunting grounds of the Cherokees. 
'ihe territory was broken up into 
counties, and thus was also broken 
the friendship between the con- 
tending parties, which for so long 
had been hanging by a slender 
thread. John Ross directed a pro- 
test to his tribesmen which caused 
them to fast for several days. The 
Indians assumed an ugly attitude, 
l)ut it availed little, as we shall 
iiresently see. 



*American State Papers, Military Affairs, 
Vol. 5, ps. 28-9. 

**It was at his one-room log cabin, in Ten- 
nessee, that Jno. Ross and Jno. Howard Payne 
were arrested Nov. 7, 1835. 




PART II 

''ANCIENT ROME'' 
1834-1861 



CHAPTER I. 
Rome's Establishment and Early Days 



I 



N THE spring of 1834 two 
lawyers were traveling on 
horseback from Cassville, 
Cass County, to attend 
court at Livingston, the county 
seat of Floyd. They were Col. Dan- 
iel R. Mitchell, a lawyer of Canton, 
Cherokee County, and Col. Zacha- 
riah B. Hargrove, Cassville attor- 
ney, formerly of Covington, New- 
ton County. The day was warm 
and the travelers hauled up at a 
small spring on the peninsula which 
separates the Etowah and the Oos- 
tanaula rivers at their junction. 
Here they slaked their thirst and 
sat down under a willow tree to 
rest before proceeding on their 
way. 

Col. Hargrove gazed in admira- 
tion on the surrounding hills and 
remarked : "This would make a 
splendid site for a town." 

"I was just thinking the same," 
returned his companion. "There 
seems to be plenty of water round 
about and extremely fertile soil 
and all the timber a man could 
want." 

A stranger having come up to 
refresh himself at the spring, and 
having overheard the conversation, 
said : "Gentlemen, you will par- 
don me for intruding, but I have 
been convinced, for some time that 
the location of this place offers ex- 
ceptional opportunities for build- 
ing a city that would become the 
largest and most prosperous in 
Cherokee Georgia. I live two miles 
south of here. My business takes 
me now and then to George M. 
Lavender's trading post up the 
Oostanaula there, and I never pass 
this spot but I think of what could 
be done." 

The last speaker introduced him- 
self as Maj. Philip Walker Hemp- 



hill, planter. Learning the mission 
of the travelers, he added: "The 
court does not open until tomorrow 
afternoon. You gentlemen are no 
doubt fatigued by your journey, 
and it will give me great pleasure 
if you will accompany me home 
and spend the night. There we can 
discuss the matter of locating a 
town at this place." 

Col. Mitchell and Col. Hargrove 
accepted with thanks. The three 
left the spring (which still runs 
under Broad street at the south- 
east corner of Third Avenue), 
crossed the Etowah River on John 
Ross' "Forks Ferry," and proceed- 
ed with Major Hemphill to his 
comfortable plantation home at 
what is now DeSoto Park. Here 
they went into the question more 
deeply. A cousin of Maj. Hemp- 
hill, Gen. James Hemphill, who 
lived about ten miles down Vann's 
Valley, had recently been elected 
to the Georgia legislature, and 
could no doubt bring about a re- 
moval of the county site from 
Livingston to Rome ; he was also 
commanding officer of the Georgia 
Militia in the section. 

After court was over. Col. Mitch- 
ell and Col. Hargrove spent an- 
other night with Maj. Hemphill, 
and the next morning Col. Wm. 
vSmith was called in from Cave 
Spring, and became the fourth 
member of the company. It was 
there agreed that all available 
land would be acquired immediate- 
ly, the ferry rights would be 
l)OUght and the ground laid off in 
lots. Gen. Hemphill was requested 
to confer with his compatriots at 
Milledgeville and draw up a bill 
for removal. The projectors would 
give sufficient land for the public 
buildings and in time would make 
the ferries free and cause neces- 



34 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



sary bridges to be built, as well as 
to lay out streets at once. A con- 
tract along" these lines was signed 
with the Inferior Court of Floyd 
County. Since Col. Mitchell and 
Col. Hargrove were fairly well es- 
tablished elsewhere, and it would 
be some time before they could 
move, they agreed to leave the le- 
gal matters in the hands of John 
H. Lumpkin, of Oglethorpe Coun- 
ty, who was ready to resign as sec- 
retary to his uncle, Governor Wil- 
son Lumpkin, and to grow up with 
the new town. 

These five pioneers put five 
names into a hat, it having been 
agreed that the name drawn out 
should be the name of the city 
they were to build. Col. Smith 
put in the name Hillsboro, typify- 
ing the hills, and this later became 
the name of the suburb he develop- 
ed. South Rome ; Col. Hargrove 
suggested Pittsburg, after the iron 
and steel metropolis of Pennsyl- 




DANIEL R. MITCHELL, lawyer and one of 
four founders of Rome, who gave to the 
young city its name. 



vania ; Col. Hemphill preferred 
Hamburg, after the great commer- 
cial city of Germany ; Col. Mitch- 
ell, recalling the seven hills of an- 
cient Rome on the Tiber, wanted 
Rome ; and Mr. Lumpkin favored 
Warsaw, after the city of Poland. 
The name Rome was extracted and 
became the name of the town. 

Among other early settlers of 
Rome or Floyd County were the 
following : 

Col. Alfred Shorter, who came 
from Society Hill, Ala., to finance 
the operations of William Smith, 
on a half interest basis ; Joseph 
Watters and John Rush, of the 
Watters District ; John Ellis, Jos. 
B'ord, Judge W. H. Underwood, 
Alford B. Reece, Thos. G. Watters, 
Tlios. S. Price, Wesley Shropshire, 
Edward Ware, Thos. and Elijah 
Lumpkin, Micajah Mayo, Elkanah 
Everett, of Everett Springs ; A. 
Tabor Hardin, Wm. C. Hardin, 
Nathan Piass, Thos. Selman, Rev. 
Genuluth Winn, Dr. Alvin Dean, 
Isaac and John P. Bouchillon, Wm. 
Ring, John Smith, Shade Green, 
Dr. Jesse Carr, Jno. W. Walker, 
Henry W. Dean, Jno. Townsend, 
Jeremiah L. McArver, Sam Smith, 
Wm. Mathis, G. T. A-Iitchell, Fletch- 
er Carver, J. W. Carver, J. D. Alex- 
ander, Col. Jno. R. Hart, Gilbert 
Cone, Dr. H. V. M. Miller, Thos. W. 
Burton, A. D. Shackelford, Thos. 
C. Hackett, James McEntee, Wm. 
T. Price, R. S. Norton, C. M. Pen- 
nington, Rev. Shaler G. Hillyer, 
Wm. E. Alexander, W. S. Cothran, 
A. B. Ross, Jobe Rogers, Jno. and 
Wm. Dejournett, Judge Jno. W 
Hooper, Ewell Meredith, Col. Jas. 
Liddell (or Ladelle), Alfred Brown, 
James Wells, Jesse Lamberth, Ter- 
rence McGuire, Dennis Hills, Dr. 
Thos. Hamilton, Samuel Mobley, 
Wm. Montgomery, Fielding Hight, 
Green Cunningham and Samuel 
Stewart. 

Jackson County appropriately 
bears the name "Mother of Floyd," 



Rome's Establishment and Early Days 



35 



l)ecause of the number and promi- 
nence of her citizens who settled 
in Cave Spring, Vann's Valley or 
Rome. Among- these might be men- 
tioned Mrs. Alfred Shorter, Major 
Philip W. Hemphill and his brother, 
Chas. Jonathan Hemphill ; Col. and 
Mrs. Wm. Smith and her brother, 
Jno. Willis Mayo, and her kinsman, 
Micajah Mayo, after whom the 
Mayo Bar lock was named ; Col. 
Smith's brothers, Chas., John and 
Elijah A. Smith ; Gen. Jas. Hemp- 
hill, Walton H. Jones, Peyton Skip- 
with Randolph, Newton Green, 
Col. James Liddell (or Ladelle), 
and Wm. Montgomery. Most of 
tliese settled in Vann's Valley or 
Cave Spring and thus furnished the 
inspiration for Rome. Generally 
they hailed from Jefferson, home of 
Dr. CraAvford W. Long. 

In 1828 the Georgia Legislature 
had passed a law extending juris- 
diction over the Cherokee country, 
thus ending the "nation within a 
nation" dream. On Dec. 3, 1832, less 
than two months after the lottery 
tirawings, the Legislature passed 
an act providing for a division of 
Cherokee Georgia into ten large 
counties : Floyd, called after the 
Indian fighter. Gen. Jno. Floyd, 
of Camden County ; Cherokee, For- 
syth, Lumpkin, Col^b, Gilmer, Cass, 
Murray, Paulding and Union. 
Roughly speaking, this territory 
lay northwest of ilie Chattahoo- 
chee River, and was bounded on 
the north by the Tennessee line, 
and on the west by the Alabama 
line. Gradually more and more di- 
visions were made, until today the 
territory is composed of the fol- 
lowing additional counties : Dade, 
Walker, Catoosa, Chattooga, Bar- 
tow, Gordon, Polk, Haralson, Car- 
roll, Douglas, Milton, Dawson, 
White, Fannin, Pickens, Rabun, 
Towns and Habersham, and parts 
of Hall, Heard and Troup. 



Floyd was surveyed by Jacob 
M. Scudder, who in 1833 was em- 
ployed by the United States gov- 
ernment to appraise Indian lands 
and improvements near Cave 
Spring. Mr. Scudder's name ap- 
pears on the early records at the 
Floyd County courthouse in a real 
estate transaction, but there is no 
evidence that he ever lived at Rome. 
Livingston, a hamlet located on 
the south side of the Coosa River 
at Foster's Bend, about 14 miles 
below Rome, was chosen by legis- 
lative act of Dec. 21, 1833* as the 
county seat, and a log cabin court- 
house was erected at which one or 
more sessions of court, presided 
over by Judge Jno. W. Hooper, 
were held, and in which quite a 
lumiber of Indians appeared as 
prosecutors and defendants. 

The removal of the county seat 
from Livingston to Rome took 
place under authority of an act 
passed Dec. 20, 1834,** and was 




*Acts, 1833, ps. 321-2. 
**Acts, 1S34, ps. 250-1. 



PHILIP "WALKER HEMPHILL, planter and 
one of Rome's projectors, who in 1846 moved 
to Mississippi. 



36 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



consummated in 1835. However, 
a considerable settlement had 
sprung up prior to this in Vann's 
Valley. On the "pale-face side" of 
the Chattahoochee a large and 
restless element had been held back 
by the existing conditions, but 
when encouragement was given by 
the Georgia authorities to en- 
croachments on the Indian lands, 
this tide overflowed into the Cher- 
okee country. 

The county site was removed 
to Land Lot 245, 23rd District, 3rd 
Section, Head of Coosa, Floyd 
County, the new place to be known 
as Rome.* The first Saturday in 
February, 1835, was set as the date 
for selecting five commissioners 
for one-year terms.** Parts of 
land lot 244, east of the Oostanaula 
and 276, north of the Hightower 
(Etowah), were also reserved for 
the growth of the town. The act 
further stated that nothing therein 
was to be considered in conflict 
with a contract made previously 
by Wm. Smith, et al., with the In- 
ferior Court. ■ 

An amendment*** to the act of 
1834, passed Dec. 29, 1838, provided 
for creation of the office of "in- 
tendant," which means "superin- 
tendent" by the dictionary, but 
pjobably meant "mayor" in those 
days ; also included were commis- 
sioners, clerk, marshal, etc., and 
some salaries were fixed. 

David Vann, a Cherokee sub- 
chief, had settled near Cave Spring 
in the valley which was given his 
name, and in tliis valley between 
the present Rome and Cave Spring 
people began to "squat" several 
years before there was a Rome. 
In 1828, Major Armistead Rich- 
ardson, father-in-law of the late 
Judge Augustus R. Wright, of 
Rome, removed to Vann's Valley 
from Augusta and with the as- 
sistance of a number of enthusi- 
astic associates began preparations 



for the establishment of Cave 
Spring in 1831. 

Ridge Valley, seven miles north 
of Rome, had been settled simul- 
taneously with the Vann's Valley 
settlement. This valley was named 
after another Indian leader. Major 
Ridge, who is supposed to have 
lived in it, at the present Rush 
place, at Hermitage, a number of 
years before moving to the Oosta- 
naula near Rome. 

The period of John Ross' resi- 
dence in DeSoto (Rome's present 
Fourth ward) has not been deter- 
mined accurately. However, a sat- 
isfactory conclusion may be drawn 
from the fact that the Cherokee 
chiefs had been meeting at the 
New Echota Council ground since 
1819, that New Echota had been 
the capital since 1825, and Mr. Ross 
found DeSoto ("Head of Coosa") 
a central point to reside.**** Un- 
doubtedly Mr. Ross was influenced 

*Acts, 1834, PS. 250-1. 

**Jas. M. Cunningham's place, at or near the 
present DeSoto Park, had been designated in 
the act of Dec. 21, 1833, as the place to hold 
county elections. 

***Acts of 1838. 

****Persistent search has been made to reveal 
who it was that turned John Ross out of ihis 
home, but his identity has not been estab- 
lished to a certainty. However, it is on record 
in the Secretary of State's office. State Capitol, 
Atlanta, and an old book known as the Cher- 
okee Land Lottery says the Ross home site land 
(Land Lot 237, 23rd district, 3rd section) was 
drawn by Hugh Brown, of Beavour's district, 
Habersham County. Floyd County Deed Record 
D, page 40, recites that Brown sold the 160 
acres Nov. 23, 1835, to Samuel Headen, of 
Franklin County, for $500 : and on page 45 
it is set down that Samuel Headen sold it 
Feb. 21, 1844, for $3,000 to John B. Winfrey, 
of Hall. John B. Winfrey was the father of 
Jas. O. Winfrey, of Floyd. He sold 80 acres 
of it to Col. Alfred Shorter and 80 to Daniel 
R. Mitchell. The part on which the Ross 
house stood is now between Mrs. James M. 
Bradshaw's home and Hamilton park, and in- 
cludes the home of County School Superin- 
tendent W. C. Rash. It is an eminence where 
a large sugar berry tree and a walnut are 
growing. Here, according to a memorial Ross 
and others sent to the United States Senate in 
1836, was where one of his babies and his 
beloved father, Daniel Ross, were buried. Since 
Hugh Brown sold the land in November and 
Ross was dispossessed in April, 1835, it is 
likely that Brown was living there at the time 
the Indian leader and his family were turned 
adrift. Mr. Ross lived at Ross' Landing, Look- 
out Mountain, now Chattanooga, Tenn., and 
at Rossville, Walker County, Ga. He was 
born Oct. 3, 1790 ; some authorities say at 
Rossville, some Turkeytown, Etowah Co., Ala., 
and some Tah-nee-hoo-yah ("Logs in the Wa- 
ter"), Ala., which last place and Turkeytown 
were on the Coosa. 



Rome's Establishment and Early Days 



37 



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THE HEART OF CHEROKEE GEORGIA. 

(Scale of miles, 18 miles to one inch.) 



Atlanta 




by the fact that Major Ridge was 
living about a mile away, and they 
could hold their conferences much 
more easily. John Ridge, son of 
the Major and also a leader, lived 
about three miles from Ross, at 
"Running Waters," later the John 
Hume place. New Echota was 
some 30 miles, and the Council 
Ground at Red Clay, Whitfield 
County, was 60 miles northward, 
as the crow flies. Sequoyah, the 



man of letters and knowledge, was 
25 miles away. Elias Boudinot, 
Stand Watie and David Vann were 
readily available. Assuming that 
Ross moved to DeSoto in 1825, he 
resided there ten years, until finally 
dispossessed of his home. He used 
to start his letters "Head of Coo- 
sa." 

It will be seen, therefore, that 
the site of Rome was probably of 
more importance between 1825 and 



38 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



the final removal in 1838 than even 
the capital itself; but at best the 
Indians were a nomadic race, liv- 
ing here today and there tomor- 
row^, and their leaders hopped with 
alacrity between Rome, New 
Echota, Red Clay and Washing- 
ton. 

But let us return to the pioneer 
pale-faces. 

Col. Mitchell surveyed the sec- 
tion between the rivers and made 
a map, dated 1834, copies of which 
are in existence today. This work 
was done from Third Avenue 
northward, since the farm below 
was owned by Col. Smith and at 
that time was considered unsafe 
for building on account of the high 
waters ; furthermore, it was re- 
served for race track and tourna- 
ment purposes. Col. Smith was a 
lover of horseflesh and he built a 
half-mile cinder track around the 
banks of the rivers, and placed his 
grandstand near the spring alluded 
to in the foregoing. There were 
special races between the best 
riders of the surrounding counties ; 
the Indians, who usually rode bare- 
back, carried off many a prize. 
Tournaments were held now and 
then, in which the riders, going at 
full speed on their mounts, ran 
their lances through rings held 
lightly by a projecting wooden 
arm — the man who got the most 
rings in the fewest runs won the 
contest. 

Another diversion, of a highly 
humorous nature, was the "gander 
pulling." The neck of a live gander 
v.as greased thoroughly and the 
bird hung up by the feet to a limb. 
The game was to pull the gan- 
der's neck oft" or bring him down 
"whole." This was a difficult feat 
because the gander dexterously 
dodged his head when the horse- 
man was about to "pull." Still an- 
other was the "greased pole." Any- 
body who could climb 15 feet to 
the top could have the bag of 



money suspended therefrom. The 
pole was of skinned hickory or 
oak and would have l^een sleek 
enough without any grease. If the 
boys could not make it to the top 
in a reasonable time they were al- 
lowed to put sand on their cloth- 
ing ; then they went home to their 
"maws." "Catching the greased 
pig" was another sport. 

In 1833 occurred an event which 
made Indians and many supersti- 
tious folk believe the world was 
coming to an end. One night the 
stars "fell." Such another display 
of pranks in the skies had never 
been seen ; for quite a while the 
stars shot this way and that, in 
graceful curves, then in uncanny 
zig-zags, until it appeared that the 
feeble little people of earth would 
surely be covered in a shower of 
stars. Indian mothers rushed about, 
gathering up their oft'spring, and 
rum old negro mammies and uncles 
hid under beds and houses, shout- 
ing, "Oh, Lordy ! Oh, Lordy ! Dis 
ingger's soul am pure !" 

The task of forming the Rome 
bar fell to Col. Mitchell, who pro- 
ceeded with a nucleus composed 
of himself, Mr. Lumpkin and two 
or three others. Presently, in 1835, 
funds were raised and a brick 
courthouse erected at Court (East 
First) Street and Bridge Street 
(East Fifth Avenue). Removal of 
the courthouse did not exactly suit 
Jackson Trout, who had built the 
first wooden dwelling at Living- 
ston. He kept up with the proces- 
sion by skidding his house down 
to the Coosa River, putting it on 
a barge and polling it to Rome, 
where he set it up again as the first 
dwelling there. Others followed 
suit, and they had considerable 
trouble when they reached Horse- 
leg Shoals, which required "mule- 
hauling" of a high order, to use a 
nautical expression. 

Rome at this time was a "forest 
primeval." Everywhere were 



Rome's Establishment and Early Days 



39 



woods except at the forks, and 
that was swampy and full of wil- 
lows, with an occasional sturdy 
tree and hungry mosquito. The 
rivers were still alive with fish; 
wild turkeys and deer were often 
seen ; snakes were numerous ; quail 
were abundant and squirrels skip- 
ped in their native element where 
Broad Street now extends ; the 
bushes were alive with wild birds 
of beautiful color ; on Mt. Alto 
and Lavender Mountain, five miles 
away, bears could be found ; and 
at night the fiery gleam from the 
eye of a wolf was a common sight. 
It was a wild country, with trails 
for roads, and few conveniences. 

Squatters and Indians alike 
pitched their tents in suitable spots 
waiting for some new word to 
"move on" or "move ofif." Small 
squads of Georgia Guardsmen, es- 
tablished by act of 1834, or of Unit- 
ed States soldiers, watching Guards 
and Indians alike, camped a while 
and then went on to other duty. 
Trappers and traders did a thriv- 
ing business ; so did the ferry- 
men who set people across at the 
forks or elsewhere. Everybody 
seemed to be going or coming, de- 
spite the efforts of the Town Com- 
pany to halt them at Rome. The 
Indians were unusually restless. 

Along would come a white fam- 
ily on horseback, carrying all their 
worldly goods. They had traveled 
from some neighboring county, or 
perchance as far as from North 
Carolina, hoping to better their 
material condition. The man would 
lead, the children would follow, and 
the mother bring up the rear, rid- 
ing sidewise. Any old port in a 
storm looked good. 

Many had definite objectives, 
many did not and would "squat" 
anywhere that looked like it held 
promise for the future. Others 
were definitely attracted by the 
prospect of pioneering in a live 
town. It is fair to say that Rome 



and Floyd County received, along 
with many "floaters," a highly sub- 
stantial and even aristocratic cit- 
izenship. The founders were men 
of character and iron will — accus- 
tomed to blazing their way through 
one kind of forest or another. They 
started with little and made out of 
it much. There were no luxuries to 
be had, hence they worked with 
the things of nature, and fashioned 
out of them whatever they could. 

The old Alabama Road forked 
where the Central Railroad trestle 
now crosses it. One fork led to 
Major Ridge's Ferry opposite the 
Linton A. Dean place, and the other 
bent southeast to the Ross ferry at 
the confluence of the rivers. At 
the Ross ferry a man from Ala- 
bama could gain the Hillsboro side 
or the Rome side, as he pleased. 
A little later the trafiic became so 
heavy that Matt and Overton 
Hitchcock built for Col. Smith a 
covered wooden bridge at Fifth 
Avenue (over the Oostanaula), and 
from that point connected with the 
Alabama Road. Agricultural busi- 
ness gradually grew prosperous. 
George Lavender's trading post did 
a land office business. It used to be 
said that Lavender kept his money 
in a barrel or keg which was al- 
ways fairly well filled with gold 
and silver coin ; and that when his 
partnership with Major Ridge and 
Daniel R. Mitchell was dissolved, 
they cut a melon estimated at 
$250,000 in 1922 coin. 

Perhaps 5,000 Indians patronized 
this establishment, and they paid 
any price for what they wanted. 
They were especially fond of calico 
garments, and would buy extrava- 
gantly for their women, and often 
include enough for an odd waist 
which the women would make for 
them. They wore outlandish 
clothes, never matching in any par- 
ticular ; buckskin or woolen trous- 
ers, well worn or patched ; hats 
that suggested the hat of today on 



40 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



a Chinaman, often with a squirrel 
tail tacked on it and hanging down 
the side or back ; some hats made 
entirely of skin, and therefore very 
warm in cold weather ; moccasins 
or discarded white man shoes cov- 
ering their feet, but many bare- 
foot; cheap jewelry and trinkets 
whenever they could get it, which 
was often ; sometimes a cjueer tur- 
Itan in place of a hat ; usually no 
coat or jacket, except in winter. 

The Indian was fond of tobacco 
and liquor, but as soon as the lead- 
ers saw what terrible inroads were 
being made on Indian territory by 
pale-face profiteers of various 
kinds, a strong Indian organization 
was formed to stamp out the evils. 
Liquor was obtained from stores 
that had a provision shop in front 
and a barroom or "doggery" in the 
rear, the entire establishment be- 
ing dignified by the name "gro- 
cery." Green wooden screens ob- 
scured the occupants of the bar- 
room until a state law caused them 
to be abolished, and then every- 
body could peek in and see who was 
getting "lit up." Around these 
places loafed a gang of shiftless 
Indians and whites, bent on satis- 
fying their abnormal appetites, and 
fit subjects for whatever mischief 
might be suggested by the Demon 



^ 




MAJOR RmCE, Cherokee chief, who, with 
his son John, was murdered June 22, 1839, 
in Indian Territory by vengeful redskins. 



Rum. These gangs were extremely 
profane, and poisoned the atmos- 
phere for such a distance that 
ladies and young ladies would nev- 
er venture closer than across the 
street. Knife and pistol scrapes 
were frequent, especially late at 
night after the more peaceful in- 
habitants had retired to their beds. 
A calaboose soon became a crying 
necessity, and with it a town mar- 
shal who managed to keep it full, 
except when the inmates escaped 
and turned the thing over on its 
side. It was a log afifair, near West 
Second Street and Sixth Avenue. 

There is no certainty as to just 
what the early city government 
was like. Doubtless in the begin- 
ning ever}' man was a law vuito 
himself. Gradually, however, local 
laws were passed and irresponsi- 
ble persons made amenable to 
them. In the thirteen years that 
Rome remained unincorporated it 
is likely that the intendant or the 
marshal acted as the executive ma- 
jor domo, and certain that local or 
inferior court judges meted out 
justice. 

Col. Mitchell, surveyor, evidently 
had in mind a future instrument 
like the automobile when he laid 
out the streets of the town. He 
made Broad Street and Oostanaula 
Street (Fourth Avenue) 132 feet 
wide, all other streets 66 feet wide 
and lanes 35 feet. Some modifica- 
tions of that scale, notably with 
regard to Fourth Avenue, have 
since been made, and a lawsuit of 
some importance and interest has 
resulted. 

A few more stores and shops 
sprang up which carried every ar- 
ticle that could l)e obtained in such 
a limited market. The groceries 
would also ofifer a line of retail dry 
goods, small farming implements, 
plug and smoking tobacco, pipes, 
lanterns and lamps, wax tapers, 
matches, candles, novelties for the 
Indians, snufif for the women, suits. 



Rome's Establishment and Early Days 



41 



hats and shoes, horse collars and 
harness, nails, hand tools, occa- 
sionally musical instruments. There 
were no soda water, ice, silver ciga- 
rette cases, bon-bons or chocolates, 
nail files, lip sticks, rouge, hair nets 
or beaver hats. Drug stores, banks 
newspapers, steamboats, crocker- 
ies and bakeries, schools and 
churches were to come along later. 

Gentlemen blacked their own 
boots and cut out of the forest with 
great cross-cut saws the wood that 
went into their homes. They wore 
the uniforms of the frontier and 
assumed the manners of frontiers- 
men. Rome was to be built, and it 
could not be l^uilt with kid gloves. 

The social life was very restrict- 
ed at first. It consisted of calls 
from neighbor on neighbor, afoot, 
on horseback or by ox-cart ; or 
maybe a country break-down on a 
rudely improvised platform. Since 
the Indians had no city to build — 
since they needed only to get a 
little something to eat every day 
and keep out of the way of land- 
grabbers and the "state police" — 
they had more time for frolics than 
the early whites. Around bonfires 
in their villages the red-skins made 
merry, rending the nights hideous 
with their war-whoops ; and on 
these special occasions they put 
aside their semi-civilized garb and 
donned the buckskin, the flaming 
headdress of feathers and all the 
paint they could daub on. 

Each year in summer came the 
Green Corn Dances at the various 
villages. The late Mr's. Robert 
Battey recalled one at Major 
Ridge's, held when she was about 
seven years of age. A large com- 
pany of Indians gathered, and one 
thing that impressed her particu- 
larly was that some of the men 
had mussel shells tied around their 
ankles and filled with gravel that 



rattled when they danced. She re- 
membered that several remained 
over night until Sunday, and kick- 
ed up their heels in George Laven- 
der's store. Her impression of the 
Indian was the same as that ob- 
tained by anybody who knew his 
nature ; he was a silent, taciturn 
individual, deeply religious in his 
own way, ever faithful to the pale- 
face who befriended him and ever 
ihe foe of one who played him 
false. He seldom, if ever, broke a 
promise. 

From Montgomery M. Folsom, 
vvriting in The Rome Tribune Nov. 
20, 1892, we have the following 
contribution on the pioneer days : 

I drove with Mr. Wesley O. Connor 
out to see Mr. Wright Ellis, one of the 
last of the old settlers of the Cave 
Spring region, and Mr. Ellis told many 
interesting stories of the early days. 
Mr. Ellis came to Cave Spring with 
his father as a little boy. Near his 
house at the end of Vann's Valley 
stood an old fort which protected the 
settlement. He told me of a wolf 
found dead in the cave; it had lain 
there several years, and the mineral 
qualities of the cave had preserved 
it perfectly, until one day a band of 
Indian boys dragged forth the carcass 
and tore it to pieces. 

David Vann lived on the hill above 
the spring and the Indians used to 
congregate near his place for their an- 
nual ball play, as they called it". They 
came from miles away to enjoy the 
sport. They would also form in two 




'From this description it is evident that the 
games were played on the low, level spot which 
now comprises the campuses of Hearn Academy 
and the Georgia School for the Deaf. 



JOHN RIDGE, who was also active in oppo- 
sition to John Ross's attempt to block re- 
moval of the Cherokees from Georgia soil. 



42 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



lines (sides) and shoot arrows at 
rolling stones. The side which scored 
the most hits would win. 

A short distance west of Cave Spring 
was where the Indians of that neigh- 
borhood held their Green Corn dances. 
Mr. Ellis said he had seen crowds es- 
timated at 1,000 to 5,000. Out in the 
nearby mountains Capt. John Ellis, 
his father, went with a small party 
and captured two Cherokee chiefs who 
were giving trouble during the re- 
moval, and threatening a massacre. 
The chiefs were sent west. As the 
raiders approached, a sentinel cried, 
"Eastochatchee soolacogee!" meaning 
"much white man!" 

These were the days of the "pony 
clubs," whose members blacked their 
faces and stole horses from whites and 
Indians alike. A party of the law and 
order element, known as the "slick- 
ers," once caught two thieves and gave 
them lashes on their backs with a 
whip. 

Mr. Ellis also told how Col. Wm. 
Smith, known to the Indians as "Black 
Bill," because of his dark complexion, 
routed a crowd of drunken red-skins 



at Major Wm. Montgomery's spring in 
July, 1832. "Black Bill" lit into them 
with a hame, knocked them right and 
left and put them to flight. 

Capt. John Townsend, Maj. Armi- 
stead Richardson, William Simmons, 
Jackson Trout, W. D. Cowdrey, W. K. 
Posey, Carter W. Sparks, Major Wm. 
Montgomery and Gen. Jas. Hemphill 
were among the pioneers who possessed 
the Cave Spring land ere the print 
of the moccasin had faded from the 
soil. 

Life with the rugged settlers of 
Rome was just one murder, horse 
theft or incendiary fire after an- 
other. The country was overrun 
with vigilance' committees, out- 
hiws, land speculators, soldiers, un- 
ruly Indians and plain people of 
respectability who wanted to farm 
and conduct their shops in peace. 
Peace and the social order that 
thrives in it was not to be attained, 
however, until the Indians were 
sent west lock, stock and barrel. 




. CHAPTER II. 
The Great Indian Meeting at Rome 



T 



HE following item from the 
Georgia Constitutionalist, 
of Augusta, July 24, 1835, 
(Guieu & Thompson, pro- 
prietors), announced the date and 
place of the important meeting of 
Ridge and Ross forces and Geor- 
gia Guardsmen and United States 
troopers near Rome. This meet- 
ing was vital because it paved the 
way for the Council pow-wow at 
Red Clay in October, which in turn 
brought about the New Echota 
meeting" and treaty signed Dec. 29, 
1835, the instrument by which the 
Cherokees were removed :* 

The Cassville Pioneer says John 
Ridge and his friends will hold a Coun- 
cil in Floyd County six miles north of 
Rome 20th of July inst. It is expected 
this Council will be numerously at- 
tended. The cause of Ridge and his 
party is going ahead. 

The meeting actually opened on 
the 19th, a day ahead of schedule. 

The gathering was supposed, 
prior to discovery of the above 
item in an old newspaper file in 
the Library of the University of 
Georgia, to have been held at the 
home of Major Ridge on the Oosta- 
naula, but since the item says it 
was to be held six miles north of 
Rome, and several authorities as- 
sert the place was "Running Wa- 
ters," the conclusion is inevitable 
th?t it was held at the home of 
John Ridge, son of the Major, three 
miles north of Rome, at the planta- 
tion later owned by John Hume, 
and now the property of E. L. Fors- 
ter. A bold spring at this domicile 
caused the name "Tantatanara," 

*A)lowing for women and children, Georgia 
Guardsmen, United States troops, officials and 
onlookers, it is probable that 3,000 people at- 
tended this meeting. It was estimated that 
600-800 attended the Red Clay Council in Oc- 
tober, 1835, and 300-500 the New Echota meet- 
ing in December, 1835, when the treaty was 
accepted. 

**Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (1835), ps. 390-2. 



the Indian for "Running Waters," 
to be applied. 

All authorities ag'ree that the 
Running Waters pow-wow was the 
largest the Cherokees had held up 
to that time, and its importance 
could not be overestimated. Major 
Currey's special correspondence is 
here given. 



**Cherokee Agency East, 
Calhoun, Tenn., 
July 27, 1835. 
Elbert Herring, Esq., 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir: The people composing the 
council called for the purpose of ob- 
taining the sense of the nation on the 
subject of the annuity convened on the 
day before the period appointed. There 
were between 2,500 and 2,600 Indian 
men present. This number could not 
by any previous measures or meetings 
have been anticipated. Mr. Schermer- 
born was present and obtained their 
consent to address them on the next 
morning. The first day was consumed 
in discussions, explanations and vot- 
ing on a proposition to divide the an- 
nuity among the people by ayes and 
nays. 

When the next morning arrived, Mr. 
Schermerhorn had a stand erected, so 
that he might by his elevation be the 
more generally heard ; aided by the Rev. 
Jesse Bushyhead, he went into a full 
explanation of the views of the Gov- 
ernment, and the relation in which 
the different delegations stood to one 
another; their people, the States and 
the general Government; which was 
listened to with much attention for a 
period of three hours. In order to 
insure attention, this resolution had 
been so worded that it would not dis- 
pose of the question further than the 
single proposition was concerned ; and 
by addressing them before the vote 
was finished, Mr. Schermerhorn had, 
perhaps, the largest red audience of 
adult males ever before assembled to- 
gather in this nation at one time. 

The Cherokees had, until a few days 
before, been advised not to attend, but 
when Ross found that the money would 
be paid to the order of the majority 



44 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



attending, his head men were called 
together at Red Clay, when I am in- 
formed he told them the agents of 
Gcvernment, and the disorganized at- 
tached to Ridge, must be put down; 
and in order to do this, all the men 
of the nation must rally, and be there 
to sustain their nation and treasury. 
They came, some starving, some half 
clad, some armed, and scarcely any 
with provisions for more than one or 
two days. Under these circumstances, 
having a desire to be heard, Mr. 
Schermerhorn promised them rations 
for one day, on condition they would 
hear him as commissioner. On exam- 
ination, I found they might, under the 
9th section of the regulations for pay- 
ing annuities, be furnished at public 
expense, if circumstances rendered it 
necessary. Arrangements were accord- 
ingly made, and requisitions drawn on 
Lieut. Bateman to meet the same. 

I took occasion to say to the Cher- 
okees, as they came up by districts, 
that let them vote the money in what 
way they would, it could not save their 
country; that their party had been in- 
vited to express their views and wishes 
freely; instead of doing this they had 
withdrawn themselves from the 
ground, and been counselled in the 
bushes. Why was this so? Were their 
chiefs still disposed to delude their 
people, when ruin demanded entrance 
at the red man's door, and the heavy 
hand of oppression already rested upon 
his head? 

To say the least of it, there was 
something suspicious in their with- 
drawal. The officers of Government 
were bound to report their speeches to 
the Secretary of War, and the chiefs 
had shown contempt to the United 
States by withdrawing themselves and 
their people into the woods beyond 
their hearing. If this was not the 
proper construction to be placed upon 
such a proceeding, the chiefs had cer- 
tainly carried them off to feed their 
feelings on false hopes and false prom- 
ises once more. 

When the resolution presented by 
Smith* was disposed of, which stood 
114 for and 2,238** against, Gunter's 
resolution to pay to the Treasury was 
next in order. The whole people were 
called up and the resolution read. Mr. 
Gunter made a few remarks in its sup- 
port, when Major Ridge offered an 
amendment, directing that none of this 
money should be paid to lawyers. This 
was seconded by John Ridge, which 
gave both these latter gentlemen a full 



opportunity to be heard. They went 
into a most pathetic description of na- 
tional distress and individual oppres- 
sion; the necessity of seeking freedom 
in another clime; the importance of 
union and harmony, and the beauties 
of peace and of friendship; but said 
if there were any who preferred to 
endure misery and wed themselves to 
slavery, as for them and their friends, 
they craved not such company. 

The Indians had, by districts, in 
files four deep, been drawn up to vote 
on Gunter's resolution, that they might 
hear it read, and be counted the more 
conveniently. But when the Ridges 
were speaking, all the previous prej- 
udices so manifestly shown by looks 
appeared to die away, and the be- 
nighted foresters involuntarily broke 
the line and pressed forward as if at- 
tracted by the powers of magnetism 
to the stand, and when they could get 
no nearer, they reached their heads 
forward in anxiety to hear the truth. 
After the Ridges had procured the de- 
sired attention, they withdrew their 
amendment, and the vote was taken 
on Gunter's resolution, and carried by 
acclamation. Mr. Schermerhorn then 
requested each party to appoint com- 
mittees to meet him and Governor Car- 
roll*** at the agency on the 29th in- 
stant. Ridge's party complied. If 
the other party did, it has not been 
made known to the commissioner. 

By the next mail we will be able 
to give information of a more sat- 
isfactory nature, having reference to 
the future. 

I have no doubt, although the money 
went into the treasury of the nation, 
(as might have been expected from 
a general turnout), still, the informa- 
tion communicated in the discussions 
growing up on the occasion will be 
attended with the most happy conse- 

*Archilla Smith, one of the leaders of the 
Ridge Treaty party. He is referred to in Gov. 
Wilson Lumpkin's book "Removal of the 
Cherokee Indians from Georgia" as Asahel R. 
Smith, of Lawrenceville, father of the well- 
known Roman, Maj. Chas. H. Smith ("Bill 
Arp"), but members of the "Bill Arp" family 
state this was an error. The Smith resolution 
sought to divide the annuity among the tribes- 
men. 

♦♦Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (1835), ps. 399-447, lists the voters, 
with their numbers, to a total of 2,273, but a 
printer's note states there are only 2,200 names, 
suggesting that duplications may have crept in. 
This list gives all who supported the Smith res- 
olution and 2,159 who voted against it, which 
would make a total of 2,270. The difference 
of three in two of the totals is the difference 
between the Currey estimate of 114 aye votes 
and the table's record of 111 votes. 

***Wm. Carroll, of Tennessee, co-commis- 
sioner with Mr. Schermerhorn, whom illness 
and a political campaign kept from acting. 



The Great Indian Meeting at Rome 



45 




JOHN ROSS, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Indians from 
1828 to his death in 1866, who fought with admirable courage more than 
25 years to keep his people in the hunting grounds of their forefathers. 



46 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



quences to the Cherokees, and great- 
ly facilitate a final adjustment of 
their difficulties. 

It is a matter worthy of remark 
that so great a number of persons of 
any color have seldom if ever met and 
preserved better order than was ob- 
served on this occasion. 

Most respectfully, I have the honor 
to be, your very obedient servant, 

BENJAMIN F. CURREY. 
Supt. of Cherokee Removal and Act- 
ing Indian Agent. 
P. S. — The report required by the 
regulations will follow this, so soon 
as it can be made out. 
Yours, 

B. F. C. 

*Cherokee Agency East, 
Calhoun, Tenn., 
July 29, 1835. 
Elbert Herring, Esq., 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 
Washington, D. C. 

Sir: Enclosed I have the honor to 
transmit copies of a report made by 
Col. C. H. Nelson and Col. Nathaniel 
Smith, who were appointed in June 
last by me to take the census of the 
Cherokees east, in conformity with a 
verbal request from the Honorable 
Secretary of War, as well as to com- 
ply with the requirements contained 
in a "circular" dated War Depart- 
ment, Office Indian Affairs, May, 
1835, addressed to me a short period 
before this duty was commenced. 
Runners were sent over the country, 
and some of Ross' messages were seen 
and read by the census-takers, direct- 
ing the Cherokees not to allow their 
numbers to be taken. 

In 1819 John Ross notified the In- 
dian agent that he had determined to 
reside permanently on a tract of land 
reserved within the ceded territory for 
his use; and in contemplation of the 
treaty, took upon himself all the re- 
sponsibilities of a citizen of the United 
States. Has he not, then, subjected 
himself to the penalties of the 13th, 
14th and 15th sections of "An Act to 
regulate trade and intercourse with 
the Indian tribes," etc., approved June 
30, 1834? 

One thing is very certain, that by 
sending his messages and holding his 
talks in the Cherokee settlements, he 
more effectually disturbs the peace, and 
defeats or delays the measures of the 
Government of the United States, than 
he could if he were the citizen of a 



foreign Government, and much better 
than one of our own citizens possibly 
could do?** 

Very respectfully, I have the honor 
to be, your very obedient servant, 

BENJ. F. CURREY. 

***Cherokee Agency East, 
Calhoun, Tenn., 
July 30, 1835. 
Elbert Herring, Esq., 
Commissioner Indian Affairs, 
Washington, D. C. 

Sir: Enclosed, I have the satisfac- 
tion to transmit to you a certified his- 
tory of the proceedings of the Run- 
ning Waters Council, held on the 19th, 
20th and 21st instant, to determine 
how the annuity of the present year 
should be disposed of. 

The names are recorded as the votes 
were presented on Smith's resolution. 
But all who were present did not vote 
on either side, and many of those who 
were in favor of dividing the money, 
finding that their wishes could not be 
cartied, voted it to the treasurer. 
Some of the voters in favor of a 
treaty, having claims on the Cherokee 
nation, voted, and influenced many 
others to vote, in the same way; so 
that the vote on Smith's resolutio*n 
can not, properly, be considered a fair 
test of the strength of the parties. 

Ridge's party is increasing rapidly, 
and will, by raising the proper means, 
reach the majority of Georgia, Ala- 
bama and Tennessee, long before the 
adjournment of the next Congress. 

Most respectfully, I have the honor 
to be, your very obedient eervant, 

BENJ. F. CURREY, 

Superintendent, etc. 

P. S. — Ross has failed to meet the 
commissioners, for Jesuitical reasons 
assigned. The commissioners address- 
ed him a communication which has 
produced a proposition in writing from 
him on the Ridges to bury the hatchet, 
and act in concert for the good of their 
country, and inviting them to a con- 
vention, to be composed of the intelli- 
gent of all parties, for the purpose of 
considering their natural condition. 
To this proposition Ridge's party have 
yielded their assent; but in the mean- 
time they are determined to redouble 

* Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (1835). p. 392. 

**Apparently the first open attempt to cause 
the arrest of Ross. 

***Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (1835), p. 395. 



The Great Indian Meeting at Rome 



47 



their zeal and diligence to accomplish 
the removal of their people. 

BENJAMIN F. CURREY. 

*Running Waters Council Ground, 
Floyd County, Ga., 
Monday, July 19, 1835. 

At an adjourned meeting, held pur- 
suant to notice from the acting agent 
of the United States for the Chero- 
kees east of the Mississippi river, for 
the purpose of ascertaining from the 
Cherokee people their wishes as to the 
manner and to whom their present 
year's annuity should be paid, by com- 
mon consent it was agreed and re- 
solved that the meeting be opened with 
prayer, and the Rev. Mr. Spirit and 
David Weatie** (Cherokees) officiated 
accordingly. 

After the solemnities appropriate 
to the occasion were performed, Benj. 
F. Currey, United States Agent, aid- 
ed by Lieut. Bateman, of the United 
States army, fully explained the ob- 
ject for which this meeting was call- 
ed; all of which was again fully ex- 
plained, in the Cherokee language, by 
Joseph A. Foreman, the interpreter. 

John Ross made some remarks in 
reply; said he was sorry that the 
agent had taken occasion to be per- 
sonal in his remarks, but that he was 
not disposed to take any notice of 
these personalities at this time; that 
he was aware that there was among 
us a description of persons who were 
called by party names; this he had not 
discouraged; that as for himself he 
was not disposed to quarrel with 
any man for an honest expres- 
sion of opinion, for the good of the 
people (for the truth and sincerity 
of which he called Heaven to wit- 
ness) ; and that if gentlemen were 
honest in . their professions of benev- 
olence, he was ready, at any time, to 
co-operate with them, when it would 
appear that they were right and he 
was wrong. 

John Ridge, in reply, stated that 
so far as he was concerned he, too, 
discarded party views and sinister 
motives; that so far as he and those 
with him acted different from Mr. 



♦Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (1835), ps. 396-8. 

**David Watie (or Oo-wat-ie), full-blood 
Cherokee and only brother of Major Ridge ; 
father of Elias Boudinot, editor of The Cher- 
okee Phoenix, and of Stand Watie, only Indian 
Brigadier General of the Confederate army, 
who did not surrender until June 23, 1865, 
nearly three months after the surrender of 
Gen. Jos. E. Johnston. Authority : "Life of Gen. 
Stand Watie," by Mabel Washbourue Anderson, 
Pryor, Okla., (1915). 



Ross and his chiefs, he had done so 
from an honest conviction that it was 
the only way in which the integrity 
and political salvation of the Cher- 
okee people could be preserved and 
effected, and that he was at any mo- 
ment ready to acknowledge Ross as 
his principal chief when he (Ross) 
could or would prove to him a better 
plan. But till then, as an honest man, 
sensible as he was of the difficulties 
and hazards of the crisis that sur- 
rounded them all, he must act on the 
suggestions arising out of the case, 
though it should cost him the last 
drop that heaved his breast; that he 
had not understood the agent to in- 
dulge in or intend personalities, but 
his explanations, directed by the law 
and instructions from the executive, 
necessarily involved the actors them- 
selves; that he had and at all times 
would be open to conviction, when bet- 
ter and more conclusive arguments 
than his own were adduced on the 
points of difference. But he did not 
understand why it was, if Mr. Ross' 
declarations were sincere, that large 
bodies of Indians had been withdrawn 
by their chiefs from the ground, and 
were not permitted to hear. As for 
his part, he wanted the whole na- 
tion to learn, and be able to know their 
true situation; that he was ready to 
co-operate with Mr. Ross, or anybody 
else, for the salvation of his bleeding 
and oppressed countrymen. 

The Rev. Mr. Schermerhorn, com- 
missioner on behalf of the United 
States, took occasion, after being in- 
troduced as such, to rise; read his 
commission and expressed his satis- 
faction and gratification at the pros- 
pect of an amicable reconciliation of 
all party strife and animosity, and so 
far as he might be concerned in their 
affairs, he did not intend to know any 
party or distinction of parties; that 
he only meant to know the Cherokee 
people east of the Mississippi as one 
party in this case; and that he would 
avail himself of the present occasion 
to request that during this meeting 
they would select from among them- 
selves a number of delegates, at least 
twelve or more, or any other number 
they might deem expedient, to meet 
him and Gov. Carroll at the Chero- 
kee agency on Wednesday, the 30th 
instant, to arrange preliminaries neces- 
sary to a convention for the adjust- 
ment of their whole difficulties by 
treaty; the basis of which had already 
been fixed by Ridge, Ross and others, 
which he presumed they were all ap- 



48 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



prized of; and suggested the impor- 
tance of naming Ross and Ridge first 
on said committee. The commissioner 
then apprized the conductors of the 
election that he would, with their con- 
sent, occupy their time on tomorrow 
morning, so far as to read over and 
fully explain the treaty to be offer- 
ed the Cherokee people for their ap- 
proval, which was consented to by the 
agents and the chiefs present; where- 
upon, Commissioner Schermerhorn re- 
tired. 

The following resolution was then 
introduced by Archilla Smith and sec- 
onded by John Ridge: 

"Resolved, by the council of the 
Cherokee nation, that in consideration 
of the poor condition of our people, 
the aged, the infirm of both sexes, 
men, women and children, that the 
present annuity of $6,666.67 be now 
divided equally to the people, and to 
the poor particularly, as it is their 
money, accruing from old treaties with 
the United States. It is now a great 
many years since they have received 
the same." 

In support of this resolution. Major 
Ridge, John Ridge and Archilla Smith 
spoke at considerable length, to the fol- 
lowing purport : The people make a na- 
tion; no nation ever existed without a 
people. The annuity is payable to the 
nation, and Congress has given to the 
people full power to dispose of it as 
they may think proper. Have the peo- 
ple been benefited by the use made of 
the money heretofore, by their chiefs? 
Have those chiefs saved the country? 
Have they restored to you your fields? 
Have they saved your people from the 
gallows? Have they driven back the 
white settlers? No; but on the other 
hand, have you not lost your laws and 
government? Have you not been im- 
poverished and oppressed? And are 
you not bleeding and starving under 
these oppressions? If this be the fact, 
is it not time to take that which will 
give you some relief from want, rather 
than to vote it to those who can not, 
or, if they can, will not afford you 
relief? 

All that we insist on is that you ex- 
ercise your own choice in disposing of 
this money. It was in our power not 
long since, when but few attended at 
the call of the General Government, 
(last May council, held at Running 
Waters) to have done as we pleased 
with this money, but we would not 
condescend to take advantage of that 
absence which had been procured by 



the other chiefs. We preferred to 
have a full meeting of the people, if 
practicable, and leave the question to 
the majority. At that time our ap- 
plication was made to this effect, and 
agreed to by the agent for the Gen- 
eral Government, which has been read 
to you by him, and interpreted by Mr. 
Foreman. It is the will of our peo- 
ple and not my will which it is now 
wished should control this money. 
While we make this declaration we 
vv'ish the yeas and nays taken and 
registered, that all may have an op- 
portunity of understanding the res- 
olution; and that each and every one 
may vote as Cherokees should learn 
to vote, independently. 

Edward Gunter then offered the 
following resolution : 

"Resolved, That the present annuity 
now due to the Cherokee nation be 
paid to John Martin, treasurer of the 
Cherokee nation." 

In support of this resolution he 
made the following remarks : That 
the nation was in debt; that their 
faith as a nation was pledged for 
money; that they had none wherewith 
to redeem that pledge; that they could 
not resort to taxation, for in that case 
the State laws would interfere. He 
hoped, therefore, they would vote the 
money to the national treasury. 

At this time a general call for the 
vote from the crowd (consisting of up- 
wards of 2,000 Cherokees) was made. 

The Government agents then opened 
the election to take the vote on Smith's 
resolution; those in favor, in the af- 
firmative, and those against, in the 
negative. 

(Here is omitted list of Indians and 
how they voted. — Author). 

The voting on Archilla Smith's res- 
olution being gone through, and on 
counting the state of the polls, it ap- 
pears that 114 voted in the affirma- 
tive, and 2,159* in the negative; and 
consequently, Smith's resolution was 
carried.** 

Edward Gunter then called up his 
resolution. It was agreed by the 
agents of Government, as well as by 
the Cherokee people present, that the 
vote on this resolution be taken by ac- 
clamation. Before the vote was taken 
on Gunter 's resolution. Major Ridge 
offered the following as an amend- 



*.Tohn Ross and his associates said 2,225 : the 
votinsj table, 2,273. , , ^ 

**"Losf was evidently intended for cai- 

ried." 



The Great Indian Meeting at Rome 



49 



ment of Gunter's resolution: "And that 
the treasurer of the nation pay the 
same to such persons of our nation 
as we owe for money borrowed, and 
not to the lawyers, which the nation 
has employed, who can be paid at some 
other time." In the discussion on this 
amendinent, Major Ridge and John 
Ridge displayed their usual strain of 
eloquence, making a deep impression 
on a large portion of the crowd, if 
we take for evidence the rivetted at- 
tention and the press forward to catch 
the words that dropped from them, 
and more particularly that in the 
course of that evening and next morn- 
ing, the number who deserted from 
Ross's ranks and enrolled themselves 
with John Ridge and his friends for 
the western country. 

During the course of their remarks 
they spoke of the false hopes excited 
and the delusive promises held out by 
their lawyers; the obligations they 
were under, first, to discharge debts 
contracted, for which a valuable con- 
sideration had been received by the 
people, and then afterwards and last, 
those which had been created without 
the hope of returning benefits. But 
discovering that the people had deter- 
mined to vote down their proposition, 
it was withdrawn. 

After these individuals had spoken 
generally of the causes which induced 
them to secede from Ross and his 
party, and the necessity of an early 
removal of the tribe, the vote on 
Gunter's resolution was taken, and 
decided by acclamation in the affirm- 
ative. 



Cherokee Agency East, 

July 30, 1835. 
The foregoing is a correct state- 
ment, so far as my memory serves 
and my knowledge extends, founded 
upon a constant attention, conjointly 
with Benjamin F. Currey, Indian 
agent, to the proceedings of the meet- 
ing, as one of the managers. 

M. W. BATEMAN, 

1st Lieut., Inf., Disbursing Agent. 

Cherokee Agency East, 
July 30, 1835. 

As Indian agent, under the direc- 
tions of the War Department, I su- 
perintended the foregoing election and 
proceedings, and do hereby certify that 
the election was as fairly conducted 
as the situation and circumstances of 



* Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (1835), ps. 449-50. 



the Cherokee tribe would admit of, 
and that the proceedings and speeches 
by the chiefs are substantially cor- 
rect, as detailed by D. Henderson, 
secretary to the meeting. 

BENJAMIN F. CURREY, 
Indian Agent for the Eastern Cher- 
okees. 

Cherokee Agency East, 
July 30, 1835. 

I certify upon honor that in the 
foregoing transcript, detailing the pro- 
ceedings at the council called and held 
at Running Waters council ground, 
Floyd County, Ga., on the 19th, 20th 
and 21st instant, the votes are cor- 
rectly recorded and the speeches cor- 
rectly detailed as to substance. 

DANIEL HENDERSON, 
Clerk for Managers of the Said Elec- 
tion. 

The enclosures of Maj. Currey 
to the Commissioner of Indian Af- 
fairs end here. To Washington Mr. 
Schermerhorn wrote : 

* Cherokee Agency, 
Aug. 1, 1835. 
Hon. Elbert Herring, 
Commissioner Indian Affairs, 
Washington, D. C. 

Sir: I have the honor to inform 
you that I attended the meeting of 
the Cherokee council at Running Wa- 
ters on the 20th ultimo, and my pro- 
ceedings there I will transmit to you 
by the next mail. At the close of 
that council I requested a committee 
of the principal men from the Ross 
and Ridge parties to meet the com- 
missioners at the Agency on the 29th 
ultimo, to see if they could, in con- 
ference with each other, agree upon 
some modification of the proposed 
treaty which would be satisfactory to 
all concerned. Ross and his friends 
did not attend, and the commission- 
ers wrote him immediately to know 
whether he and his principal men 
refused to meet them at the place 
appointed, and also whether they were 
determined not to accept the award 
of the Senate, viz.: $5,000,000 in full 
for the settlement of all matters in 
dispute between them and the United 
States, and for the cession of their 
country. He evaded the last question 
(as will be seen by his letter, a copy 
of which will be forwarded to the de- 
partment), and prevaricated in say- 
ing that no notice was given of the 
meeting at the agency, although it was 
done in open council. He may, how- 



50 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




WHERE THE GREEN CORN DANCES WERE HELD. 

"The Chieftain's," on the Oostanaula river road, two miles north of the court house, was 
the home of Major Ridge, and his lawn was the gathering place of hundreds of red-skin 
braves and their squaws and sweethearts. His ferry connected with the Alabama road, then 
an Indian trail. Nearby was George M. Lavender's trading post. Early owners included 
A. N. Verdery, Ferdinan DeBray de Longchamp and Emil de Longchamp, Judge Augustus R. 
Wright and F. M. Jeffries. 



The Great Indian Meeting at Rome 



51 



ever, have meant he had no official 
notice of the meeting in writing. He 
sent a letter also to Major Ridge and 
John Ridge, inviting them and their 
friends to a conference with him and 
his friends to settle all the difficul- 
ties between them, and unite in pro- 
moting the common good of their peo- 
ple. This is an omen for good and I 
have been laboring while here to ef- 
fect this object. No doubt Ross has 
been hard pushed on this subject by 
his friends, and he is convinced that 
unless a reconciliation takes place, and 
a treaty is soon made, he will be for- 
saken by them, and a third party arise, 
who will unite with Ridge and carry 
the proposed treaty. I can not now 
go into detail, but will simply state 
overtures have been made by several 
of Ross's friends to unite with Ridge's 
party if Ross refuses to come to terms 
on the award made by the Senate of 
the United States. 

The best informed here entertain 
no doubt but that a treaty will be per- 
fected in the fall, if not sooner. 

It has been thought best by the com- 
missioners not to call a meeting by 
the nation until November, unless 
both parties should be brought to agree 
to articles of the treaty to be sub- 
mitted to the nation for their adop- 
tion. Ross's council meets in Octo- 
ber, and many of his principal men 
have agreed, if he does not come to 
terms by that time, they will leave him 
and treat without him. 

I have the pleasure to acknowledge 
the receipt of several communications 
from the Secretary of War, forward- 
ed to me at New Echota in May and 
July, and especially the last, contain- 
ing the letter of Mr. William Rogers, 
with the answer to it. I respectfully 
suggest to the Department, should any 
similar letters be received, whether it 
would not be best to send them to the 
commissioners, with such instructions 
in reference to them as may be deemed 
necessary, and refer the writers to the 
commissioners for an answer. I make 
this suggestion merely to prevent be- 
ing embarrassed by the crafty policy 
of the men we have to deal with. It 

*Written June 28, 1835, from Chattahoochee, 
and suggested that "Mr. Ridge" was not the 
only man of his party who could arrange a 
treaty. 

**With duplications omitted; 114 was the 
total. Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (18.35), ps. 390-447. 

***Near Calhoun, Gordon County. 

****Site of Rome. 

*****Coosa. 



is believed Rogers' letter was written 
at the suggestion and the knowledge 
of Ross.* 

With respect, your obedient servant, 
JOHN F. SCHERMERHORN, 

Commissioner. 

The following- 92** Indians lined 
up with the Ridge party in support 
of Archilla Smith's resolution, 
which if passed would have dis- 
tributed the $6,666.67 annuity 
among the common Indians in- 
stead of placing it in the national 
treasury : 

Challoogee District — James Field, R. 
Raincrow, Beans Pouch, Na-too, Stay- 
all-night, Robin, Daniel Mills, Stand- 
ing, Tac-ses-ka, Archy, Trailing, Hog 
Shooter, Tais-ta-eska, Milk, Dick Scott, 
Hair Tied, Uma-tois-ka, Dick, George, 
Se-nah-ne, Owl, Chicken, Buffalo, 
Parch Corn, Jim Bear Skin, Coo-los- 
kee. Bread Butter, Stephen Harris and 
Elijah Moore. Total, 29. 

Coosewattie — Charley Moore, Ham- 
mer, Nathaniel Wolf, Baesling, Tara- 
pin Striker, Te-ke-wa-tis-ka, John 
Ridge, Carnton Hicks, In Debt, Day- 
light, Matthew Moore, Standing 
Lightning, Wake Them, Morter, All- 
day, Bear Meat, Waitie, Mole Sign, 
Wat Liver, Huckleberry, Coon, Isaac, 
Ave Vann, Walter Ridge, Jac Nichol- 
son, Six Killer, John, Collin McDan- 
iel. Stand Watie, and Major Ridge. 
Total, 31. 

Hightower {Etoivah) — Ground Hog, 
Ezekiel West, Spirit, Hammer, Jac 
West, Catcher, Rib, Scou-tike, Road, 
Chwa-looka, Standing Wolf, Dave 
Scoute, John Wayne, Tookah, Frozen 
Foot, Fase, Nelson West, Red Bird, 
Wat Huskhe, and John Eliot. Total, 
20. 

Amoah — Jos. Foreman, Jac Bushy- 
head, Wm. Reed and Jay Hicks. To- 
tal, 4. 

Aqnohee, Chickamauga and Tahquo- 
hee — None. 

Hickory Log — Charles and Buffalo 
Pouch. Total, 2. 

Miscellaneous — D. J. Hook, Turkey 
Town; J. L. McKay, Will's Valley; 
Tesataesky, Springtown; Black Fox, 
Oothcalouga***; Henderson Harris, 
Forks of Coosa****; Jno. Fields, Sr., 
Turnip Mountain*****. Total, 6. 



52 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




THE CENTRAL CHURCHES OF ROME 

The "Hill City" has long been noted for the influence of its religious institutions, and 
practically all denominations are represented. 1 — The new First Christian edifice. 2 — The 

First Methodist. 3 — The First Baptist, in snow of January 27, 1921, minus steeple demolished 
by lightning stroke in 1920. 4 — St. Peter's Episcopal. 5 — First Presbyterian. 



CHAPTER III. 
John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 




OHN HOWARD PAYNE, 
author of the famous song, 
"Home, Sweet Home," and 
a number of plays, got into 
a peck of trouble when he came 
to Georgia in 1835. He w^as plainly 
unaccustomed to frontier life and 
the cruel ways of the world. In 
August, 1833, he had sent out from 
NeAv York, N. Y., to the newspa- 
pers of the country (including 
Georgia) a prospectus of a new 
weekly magazine to be published 
at London and to be known by the 
old Persian title "Jam Jehan Ni- 
ma/' or "The World From the Ta- 
side of the Bowl." He had an- 
nounced that he w^ould visit every 
state in the Union to collect ma- 
terial on the wonders of nature, 
and also to collect such subscrip- 
tions as he could for this depart- 
ure in journalism. His funds were 
ample and the newspapers in many 
instances carried his announcement 
on their front pages, and com- 
mented editorially upon it. He 
traveled in style, and his own story 
shows that he was not a partner 
to rough treatment. 

His song having been written a 
decade before in Paris and sung 
in his play, "Clari, or the Maid of 
Milan," at the Covent Garden The- 
atre, London, he was given quite 
a reception on his return from the 
old country to New York ; and in 
certain of the larger cities on his 
"experience jaunt" he was received 
with a rousing acclaim — notably 
at New Orleans. Into seven states 
he went before he reached Geor- 
gia ; he came to Macon from the 
Creek Nation in Alabama, and on 
Aug. 9, 1835, wrote from that city 
to his sister a long letter, elegantly 

♦Mr. Payne was then a bachelor of 43, far 
from the age of insensibility to feminine charms. 

**Also author of the Dickens-like book of 
side-splitting comedy called "Georgia Scenes." 



expressed and describing a green 
corn dance held by the Creeks, at 
which a strong fascination was 
flung upon him by the beautiful 
daughter of an Indian chief.* 

At Macon he purchased a horse 
and traveled toward Augusta, there 
to confer with Judge Augustus B. 
Longstreet,** editor of the States' 
Rights Sentinel, with regard to 
furnishing stories of his travels. 
On the way he stopped at Sanders- 
ville, Washington County, and Dr. 
Tennille, a brother of Wm. A. Ten- 
nille, then secretary of state, ad- 
vised him to study the Indian re- 
moval problem. First he went by 
horseback to see the wonders of 
North Georgia — the Toccoa Falls, 
in Stephens County, and the Ami- 
calola Falls, in Dawson County ; 
visited Tallulah Falls and gazed 
on Yonah Mountain (White Coun- 
ty), from Clarkesville, in Haber- 
sham ; inspected the gold fields of 
Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, and 
finally went to Cass (Bartow) 
County and explored the Salt Peter 
cave near Kingston. 

It may be that Payne touched 
Floyd County on this trip. An old 
tradition has it that he and John 
Ross spent a night or so at Rome, 
and departing for New Echota, 
camped in a beech grove at Pope's 
Ferry, Oostanaula river ; and that 
here Payne carved his name on a 
beech tree. Also that they were 
entertained in the home of Col. 
Wm. C. Hardin, across the river. 
It is known that Payne stayed with 
the Hardins and played on the 
piano for the little girls of the 
family while they were stationed 
at New Echota, but nothing yet 
establishes that he visited Rome 
and Pope's Ferry. 

For a time it was believed he 
attended the July Indian meeting 



54 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



at "Running Waters," near Rome, 
but since he did not enter the 
state until early August, this was 
impossible. He had a letter of in- 
troduction from an Athens mer- 
chant to a Floyd County lawyer,* 
but evidently never presented it. 
Presently, in September, he 
shook the dust, from his boots and 
clothes in Athens, Clarke County, 
having been taken there by a let- 
ter to Gen. Edward Harden, who 
as a resident of Savannah some 
time before had entertained Gen. 
I.aFayette. Payne was received 
into the Harden home, and quickly 
fell in love with the General's 
beautiful brunette daughter, Mary 
Harden, to whom he gave some 
handsome Indian relics from his 
portmanteau, and later wrote a 
number of impassioned letters tell- 
ing of his love. Strange to say, 
neither married, but that is an- 
other story. The University of 
Georgia was in session and Payne 
and Miss Harden mingled among 
the students on the campus. 

In company with Gov. Lump- 
kin, Gen. Harden and Col. Sam- 
uel Rockwell, Payne set oft for 
the Indian country in the general's 
two-horse carriage, and was ready 
for the opening of the Red Clay 
Council of Oct. 12 a day or two be- 
fore it convened. John Ross 
pressed them to stay with him, 
and they did so. On Sept. 28 
Payne rode into Tennessee, and 
spent some days at the cabin of 
Ross. Then he proceeded back to 
Red Clay, arriving Sunday, a day 
prior to the council opening. 

Here it was that the well-inten- 
tioned "Tray" got into company 
of none too good standing, as the 
Georgia authorities viewed it, and 
with Ross was subjected to the 
humiliation of arrest.** He was 
taken in custody Saturday at 11 
p. m., Nov. 7, 1835, and released 
Friday morning, Nov. 20, 12y2 days 
later. Ross was freed Monday 



at 4 p. m., Nov. 16, hence had been 
detained 9 days. The Red Clay 
Council had adjourned Oct. 30, 
after a session lasting 19 days. 

Immediately after he reached 
"civilization" (Calhoun, McMinn 
County, Tenn.), Mr. Payne issued 
the following statement to the 
press, under date of Nov. 23, 1835 : 

John Howard Payyie to His Coun- 
trymen — The public is respectfully re- 
quested to withhold their opinion for 
the few days upon the subject of a 
recent arrest within the chartered 
limits of Tennessee, by the Georgia 
Guard, of Mr. Payne, in company with 
Mr. John Ross, principal chief of the 
Cherokee nation. 

Mr. Payne can not of course iden- 
tify the state of Georgia with this 
gross violation of the Constitution of 
the United States, of the rights of 
an American citizen, and of the known 
hospitality of the South to strangers. 
But as he is conscious that every act 
which can be devised will be resorted 
to for the purpose of endeavoring to 
cover such an act from public indig- 
nation, he thinks it due to justice to 
promise that a full and honest state- 
ment shall be submitted the moment 
it can be prepared. 

Payne's own story of his trials 
and tribulations is best told by 
himself. vSo far as is known, this 
account has never been reproduced 
in any publication except the news- 
papers and journals that carried it 
at the time. It was found at the 
University of Georgia Library, 
Athens, in the Georgia Constitu- 
tionalist (Augusta) of Thursday, 
Dec. 24, 1835, having been reprint- 
ed from the Knoxville (Tenn.) 
Register of Dec. 2, same year. It 
sets at rest certain discussions 
bearing on historic fact, and here 
it is : 

At the instance of Mr. Jno. Howard 
Payne, I hand for publication his ad- 
dress to his countrymen in the United 



♦Believed to have been Judge Jno. H. Lump- 
kin, nephew of Gov. Wilson Lumpkin, of Ath- 
ens. 

**At the one-room log cabin of Sleeping Rab- 
bit, an Indian underling of Ross. The spot is 
located at Blue Spring (Station), Bradley Co., 
Tenn., five miles southwest of Cleveland and eight 
miles north of Red Clay. 



John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 



55 



States, giving an account of his ab- 
duction from the State of Tennessee 
and of his imprisonment and brutal 
treatment in this state by the Geor- 
gia Guard. To none of his country- 
men is it so important as to those of 
Georgia to be acquainted with the 
facts of this outrage. Every man of 
patriotic feeling within its feel will 
regret that any power with the sem- 
blance of state authority should have 
acted in such a banditti-like manner 
toward the amiable and talented au- 
thor of "Home, Sweet Home" and for 
the credit of the state will desire that 
the principal actors may be made to 
suffer the punishment of crimes so 
flagrant and disgraceful to the coun- 
try. 

ROBERT CAMPBELL. 

Augusta, Ga., Dec. 18, 1835. 



(From the Knoxville,* Tenn., Regis- 
ter, Dec. 2, 1835.) 
John Howard Payyie to His Country- 
vien. — A conspiracy has been formed 
against my reputation and my life. 
From the latter I have just escaped, 
and very narrowly. I would protect 
the former, and therefore hasten to 
acquaint the public with the truth re- 
garding this extraordinary affair. 

It has long been known that in Au- 
gust, 1833, I published proposals at 
New York for a literary periodical. 
The prospectus stated as a part of 
ray plan that I would travel through 
the United States for the double pur- 
pose of gathering subscribers and ma- 
terial; and especially such informa- 
tion regarding my own republic as 
might vindicate our national charac- 
ter, manners and institutions, against 
the aspersions of unfriendly travel- 
ers from other countries. In the pur- 
suit of these objects I have for up- 
wards of a year been upon my joui'- 
ney. I have visited Ohio, Kentucky, 
Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Louis- 
ana and Alabama. In each of these 
states I have been honored with the 
most flattering hospitality and sup- 
port. Some time in August last I 
entered Georgia on my regular course 
northward through the Carolinas and 
Virginia. I was induced by the de- 



scriptions I had heard of the beauty 
of its mountain region to turn some- 
what aside from my road in order 
to seek the upper parts of the State ; 
for I was anxious in anything I might 
write hereafter to leave nothing which 
deserved admiration untouched. I went 
to Tellulah, Tuckoah, the cave in Cass 
County, the Gold Region and the Falls 
of Amacaloolah. A mere accident led 
me among the Cherokees. The acci- 
dent was this : 

In the course of my rambles I met 
L)i. Tennille, of Saundersville, a broth- 
er to the Georgia Secretary of State.** 
This gentleman spoke to me of the 
Cherokees. He suggested that their his- 
tory for the last 50 years, could it 
be obtained, would be one of extreme 
interest and curiosity, and especially 
appropriate to a work like mine. I 
knew next to nothing then of the Cher- 
okees. I had been in Europe when 
their cause was brought so eloquently 
before the public by Mr. Wirt, Mr. 
Elverett and others. The hint I speak 
of led me to ask about them. The more 
I heard, the more I became excited. 
I obtained letters to their leading men 
and went into the nation. Circum- 
stances, however, had induced me to 
relinquish my first purpose of pro- 
ceeding so far as the residence of Mr. 
Ross, their Principal Chief. But I 
was told Mr. Ross possessed a series 
of letters which had been sent to him 
by his predecessor in office, Chas. R. 
Hicks, detailing memoranda for the 



*Judge Hugh Lawson White and David A. 
Deaderick led a committee for a Payne mass 
meeting at Knoxville, but Payne declined ap- 
pearing. He later attended a public dinner. He 
went to Knoxville via Calhoun and Athens, 
Tenn. 

**Wm. A. Tennille, ancestor of the Savannah 
Tennilles. 




JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, author of world- 
famous song, "Home, Sweet Home," who 
was arrested by the Georgia Guard in 1835. 



56 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



earlier history of his country, and that 
he himself had taken up the narra- 
tive where it was discontinued by the 
extending of it to the year 1835. I 
was encouraged to believe that were 
I to call on Mr. Ross he would not 
only readily allow me the use of these 
manuscripts, but be gratified in an 
opportunity of seeing them made pub- 
lic. I therefore resumed my original 
intention and on the 28th of last Sep- 
tember rode into Tennessee to the res- 
idence of Mr. Ross. 

By Mr. Ross I was received with 
unlooked-for cordiality and unreserve. 
I felt the deeper sympathy for him be- 
cause I found him driven by the hard 
policy against his nation from a splen- 
did abode to a log hut of but one sin- 
gle room, and scarcely proof against 
the wind and rain. He had a part 
of the letters by Mr. Hicks, but of 
a continuation by himself I had been 
misinformed. He told me, however, 
that any or all of the documents he 
had were at my service. I thought if 
he were disposed to let me take these 
with me and transcribe them at my 
leisure, he would have proposed it; 
but as he did not, I began to make 
copies where I was — intending to con- 
fine myself to very few. My first 
calculation was to limit my visit to 
a day, but I thought I should now be 
warranted in prolonging it three or 
four; my task, however, detaining me 
longer than I expected, Mr. Ross urged 
me to remain until the meeting of the 
Council. He told me that he could 
then show me all their leading men. 
He thought besides that two gentle- 
men who have made valuable re- 
searches into the antiquities and the 
language of the Cherokees would be 
present. To the arrival of the Reve- 
rend Commissioner, Mr. Schermerhorn, 
I also looked with interest. I believed 
him to be the same Mr. Schermerhorn 
who was in an upper class when I 
entered college''^; we had been intimate 
there; I had not met him in five and 
twenty years, and was solicitous to talk 
over things long past. In addition to 
these inducements, I felt a deep at- 
traction in the opportunity of witness- 
ing the last days on their native soil 
of the nations of the red men. I de- 
termined to see the opening of the 
Council. 

My stay with Mr. Ross having been 
so unexpectedly protracted, of course 
the range of my collections was ex- 
tended. In addition to the literature 
and the anecdotes of the nation I 



involuntarily became well acquainted 
with its politics, because I had tran- 
scribed nearly all the documents rel- 
ative to the recent negotiations for a 
treaty. I thought these curious, not 
only as historic evidence, but as spec- 
imens of Indian diplomacy, more com- 
plete than any upon record in any 
age or country. I confess I was sur- 
prised at what these papers unfolded 
regarding the system used by the 
agents and pursued by our govern- 
ment, and I thought if the real posi- 
tion of the question were once under- 
stood by our own country and its rul- 
ers, their ends would be sought by 
different and unexceptional means. 
Though no politician, as a philanthro- 
pist I fancied good might be done by 
a series of papers upon the subject. 
I conceived as an American that it 
was one of the most precious and most 
undisputed of my rights to examine 
any subject entirely national, espe- 
cially if I could render service to the 
country by such explanations as pecu- 
liar circumstances might enable me to 
offer. For this purpose I commenced 
such a series as I have spoken of, but 
having written one number, I thought 
I would lay it by for reconsideration, 
and forbear to make up my mind 
finally until I saw how matters were 
carried on at the Council then ap- 
proaching. The number in question 
was subsequently put aside and no sec- 
ond number ever written. It was sign- 
ed "WASHINGTON." The mention 
was brief and incidental. It was such 
a paper as we see hourly upon our pub- 
lic affairs, only somewhat more gen- 
tle and conciliatory. Among other 
things, it mentioned of necessity the 
Georgia Guard. It spoke of their out- 
ward appearance as more resembling 
banditti than soldiers, and alluded to 
the well-known fact of an Indian pris- 
oner who had hanged himself while 
in their custody, through fear that they 
would murder him. I wish the reader 
to bear this paper in mind, for it will 
be specifically noticed more than once 
again; and at the same time let it 
be remembered that it was never print- 
ed** nor made known in any way, but 
kept among my private manuscripts 
until the proper season for publica- 
tion had gone by. Indeed, the very 
plan of which it was meant for the 
beginning was ere long merged in an- 

*Union, Schnectady, N. Y. Mr. Schermerhorn 
graduated in ISO!). Payne entered in 1807, pre- 
sumably in the Class of ISll, and left after 
two terms and without completing his course. 

**Mai. Currey claimed it was printed by the 
Knoxville Register prior to the arrest. 



John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 



57 



other. It had been suggested that 
great service might be done by an ad- 
dress to the people of the United States 
from the Cherokees, explaining fully 
and distinctly all their views and feel- 
ings. I was told that no one had ever 
possessed such opportunities as mine 
had been for undertaking these. I 
took the hint, and felt gratified in the 
opportunity of enabling the nation to 
plead its own cause. I promised to 
prepare such an address, and if ap- 
proved, it was to be sent around by 
runners, for the signature of every 
Cherokee in the country. I confess I 
felt proud of an advocacy in which 
some of the first talent of the land 
had heretofore exulted to engage. I 
only lamented that my powers were 
so unequal to my zeal. 

The Council assembled. One of the 
first inquiries of the Reverend Com- 
missioner was for his former friend; 
and I felt happy to recognize in the 
wilderness one whom I had known 
so early in my life. I accompanied 
him by his invitation to his cabin. I 
found him strongly prejudiced against 
Mr. Ross. He introduced me to Ma- 
jor Currey, the United States' agent. 
Major Currey, as well as Mr. Scher- 
merhorn, proffered any documents or 
books or other facilities which might 
aid me in my search for information. 
They urged upon me to read some pa- 
pers they were preparing against Mr. 
Ross and the Council. I did read 
them. I entered into no discussion, but 
then, as at all other times, briefly as- 
sured Mr. Schermerhorn with the free- 
dom of an associate in boyhood that I 
conceived his course a mistaken one, 
and that I was convinced that it could 
not lead to a treaty. The same thing 
had been said to him by many. He 
replied in a tone of irritation that he 
"would have a treaty in a week." 

"John Ross was unruly now, but he 
would soon be tame enough," and on 
one occasion he asked a gentleman con- 
nected with the then opposition party 
in the nation "if the wheels were well 
greased," and informed me that an 
address in Cherokee was coming be- 
fore the people, which I inferred from 
his words and manner was expected 
to produce a sudden influence fatal to 
the cause of Mr. Ross. He also in- 
troduced me to Mr. Bishop, captain 
of the Georgia Guard, whose manner 
then was perfect meekness. A few 
half-jocose words passed between Mr. 

*New Echota, Gordon County, where The 
Phoenix was printed, was about 45 miles. 



Bishop and myself. He asked me how 
long since I "arriv," named the Cher- 
okee question, and I replied that I 
differed with him in opinion. 

"That is the case of most of you 
gentlemen from the north," he replied. 

"It is not that I am from the north 
that I think as I do," said I, "but 
because I am jealous of our national 
honor and prize the faith of treaties." 

"You would feel differently if you 
had the same interest we have." 

"I should hope I would forget my 
interest where it went against my 
principles," I observed. 

Mr. Bishop laughed and so did I, 
and thus we parted. After this I ab- 
stained from visiting the quarters of 
Mr. Schermerhorn, not wishing as the 
guest of Mr. Ross to expose myself 
to the necessity of being drawn into 
irritating discussions. The proceed- 
ings took the very course I apprehend- 
ed. Mr. Schermerhorn's plan defeat- 
ed himself, and when I next saw him 
it was upon the council ground; Lieut. 
Bateman, of the United States army, 
was standing with me when he came 
up. The conversation necessarily turn- 
ed upon the treaty. I repeated my 
doubts as to the policy of his course, 
and he again declared he would have 
a treaty — and forthwith. I asked him 
for some documents he had promised. 
He said he would gather them and 
send them to New York. I pressed 
him for them at once, because I had 
already everything from the other side 
and w\shed the entire evidence, for I 
meant to write a history of the Cher- 
okees; and added I, laughing, "Don't 
complain if I use you rather roughly." 

I saw that he was chafed, although 
he forced a smile. "No," replied he, 
"and don't complain if I return the 
compliment." 

"Certainly not," said I; "if you can 
show that I deserve it;" and he de- 
parted in apparent good humor, and I 
saw nothing more of the Reverend 
Commissioner. 

The negotiation was broken off. The 
Council adjourned. Mr. Ross pressed 
me to return to his house, which I did 
for the purpose of awaiting the jour- 
ney of a messenger whom he had prom- 
ised to send some 80 miles across the 
country* for a complete file of the 
Cherokee Phoenix newspaper, which, 
after long search, I had made the dis- 
covery and had obtained the offer. 
During the absence of the messenger 
I renewed the transcriptions of docu- 



58 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



merits. I also completed the address 
for the Cherokee nation. It was ap- 
proved, and measures were to be taken 
for obtaining the signatures of all the 
people. It was now Saturday evening, 
Nov. 7. I had determined on Monday 
morning to depart, taking in on my 
road back through Athens the Stone 
Mountain of Georgia, a view of which 
had been one of the leading objects 
of my journey. Some bustle had taken 
place that afternoon with a person 
from whom Mr. Ross had purchased 
his present place of refuge.* The 
man had returned to plant himself 
within the boundaries of the estate 
with which he had parted. Mr. Ross 
sent out all his negroes and other men 
to throw up a worm fence and mark 
his limits; and some dispute was ap- 
prehended. It was supposed that the 
measure was a preconcerted one, for 
the purpose of showing the Indians 
that the threat of harrassing the In- 
dians more and more was real. All, 
however, seemed quiet enough. Mr. 
Ross and myself were engaged the 
v/hole evening in writing. My papers 
were piled upon the table, ready to be 
packed for my approaching journey. 
About 11 I was in the midst of a 
copy from a talk held by George 
Washington in 1794 with a delega- 
tion of Cherokee chiefs. Suddenly 
there was a loud barking of dogs, then 
the quick tramp of galloping horses, 
then the rush of many feet, and a 
hoarse voice just at my side shouted 
"Ross, Ross!" Before there was time 
for a reply, the voice was heard at 
the door opposite, which was burst 
open. Armed men appeared. 

"Mr. Ross." 

"Well, gentlemen?" 

"We have business with you, sir." 

Our first impression was that there 
had been a struggle for the boundary 
and that these men had come to make 
remonstrance ; but instantly we saw the 
truth. The room was filled with 
Georgia Guards, their bayonets fixed, 
and some, if not all, with their pis- 
tols and dirks or dirk knives. An 
exceedingly long, lank man with a 
round-about jacket planted himself 
by my side, his pistol resting against 
my breast. 

"You are to consider yourself a 
prisoner, sir!" said he to Ross. 

"Well, gentlemen, I shall not re- 
sist. But what have I done? Why 
am I a prisoner? By whose order am 
I taken?" 



"You'll know that soon enough. Give 
up your papers and prepare to go with 
us." 

And then a scramble began for pa- 
pers. I had not moved from my place 
when the long, lank man, whom I after- 
wards found was Sergeant Young,'''* 
leader of the gang, began to rummage 
among the things upon the table. 

"These, sir, are my papers. I sup- 
pose you don't want them," I observed. 

Young, his pistol still pointed, struck 
me across the mouth. 

"Hold you damned tongue!" he vo- 
ciferated. "You are here after no 
good. Yours are just what we do 
want. Have your horse caught and 
be off with us. We can't stay." 

It was useless to reply. I asked 
for my saddlebags. They said I might 
take them if there were no arms in 
them. I said there WERE arms, and 
my pistols were required. The ser- 
geant took them and was at a loss to 
manage the straps which confined them 
under my vest. 

"How the devil are these put on? 
Come, put them on me!" he exclaimed. 

This was too much. I turned upon 
my heel and this unfortunate crea- 
ture seemed for a moment to feel the 
reproof, and blundred into the para- 
phernalia as best he could. A person, 
whom I afterward learned was mere- 
ly an amateur in this lawless affair, 
Mr. Absalom Bishop, a brother of the 
captain of the Guard, the one com- 
monly called Colonel, was exceedingly 
officious with Mr. Ross. He insisted 
on the correspondence, especially the 
recent letters of the Principal Chief, 
and was peculiarly pert and peremp- 
tory in handling the contents of Mr. 
Ross's portmanteau. There was an- 
other amateur in the affair, Mr. Joshua 
Holden, a big, sanctimonious-visaged, 
red-skinned man, whose voice I never 
heard, but who, from the evening of 
our capture I saw busy, moving to and 
fro on all occasions, apparently as a 
sort of factotum for the dirty work of 
the establishment. 

We set away. The greater num- 
ber of the horses had been left at a 
distance in the road. When we were 
all mounted, our cavalcade consisted, I 
believe, of six and twenty, Mr. Ross 
and myself included, and we two were 
permitted generally to ride together, 
the Guard being equally divided in 



♦Sleeping Rabbit? 

**His first name was Wilson. 



John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 



59 




HOME OF JOHN HOWARD PAYNE'S SWEETHEART 

"Harden Home," Athens (reconstructed), where Payne visited Gen. Edward Harden in 
1835 and fell in love with Miss Mary Eliza Greenhill Harden. In the oval are Indian mocca- 
sins, a beaded purse and a shark's tooth presented the young lady by her middle-aged lover. 
One of the moccasins has been donated to Rome by Miss Evelyn Harden Jackson, of Athens. 



front and rear of us. The earlier 
part of the night was bright and beau- 
tiful, but presently a wild storm arose, 
and then rain poured in torrents. The 
movements of our escort were ex- 
ceedingly capricious; sometimes whoop- 
ing and galloping and singing obscene 
songs, and sometimes for a season 
walking in sullen silence. During one 
of these pauses in the blended tumult 
of the tempest and of the travellers 
I chanced for a while to find myself 
beside the smooth and silky Mr. Ab- 
salom Bishop. My mind was absorbed 
in recollections of the many moments 
when abroad I had dwelt upon my in- 
nocent and noble country. I remem- 
bered that in one of those moments 
I had composed a song which has since 
met my ear in every clime and in ev- 
ery part of every clime where I have 
roved. At that instant I was startled 
by the very air on which I was mus- 
ing. It came from the lips of my 
companion. I could scarcely believe 
my senses. It almost seemed as if he 
had read my secret thoughts. 

"What song was that I heard you 
humming?" 

"That? Sweet Home, they call it, 
I believe. Why do you ask?" 

"Merely because it is a song of my 
own writing, and the circumstances 
under which I now hear it strike me 
as rather singular." 

My partner simply grumbled that he 
was not aware that I had written the 
song; but added knowingly that it was 
in the Western Songster, and the 
verses generally had the authors' 
names annexed. 



We halted at Young's. It happened, 
curiously enough, that the Western 
Songster was the first object that 
caught my view upon the table, stand- 
ing open at "Sweet Home," and for- 
tunately for my character, with the 
"author's name annexed." I pointed 
it out to Mr. Ross, and we both smiled. 
This man Young, at whose house we 
halted, like others connected with the 
Guard, keeps a tavern. Excursions of 
this nature present favorable opportu- 
nities for taxing the state for ex- 
penses, and I am told they are seldom 
overlooked. Our band of six and twenty 
took supper at Young's. They had 
scarcely entered the room when some- 
one struck up : 

"We're crossing over Jordan, 
Glory Hallelujah!" 

And our sergeant landlord sprawled 
before the fire and began to talk liter- 
ary. He reckoned I had heard tell of 
Marryboy. I assured him I did not 
remember any such author. 

"What! Not his system of nater?" 

I replied that perhaps he might 
mean Mirabeau. 

"Ah, yes, that might be. He and 
Wolney and Tom Paine were great 
authors. Was Tom Paine any kin 
of yourn?" 

Something was said of the Bible, 
but of that our friend disclaimed much 
knowledge. He didn't believe he had 
ever read fifteen chapters, but Marry- 
boy he liked of all things. 

It was announced that we had lin- 
gered long enough, and the horses 
wei-e brought out. Young himself re- 



60 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



mained at home, but most of the resi- 
due dashed recklessly onward. Our 
four and twenty miles through the 
forest was completed by daybreak. All 
were drenched in the heavy showers 
and covered with mud. As we enter- 
ed the enclosure, the Guard were or- 
dered into line; their musquets were 
discharged in triumph for their splen- 
did crusade against one little goose- 
quill, and we were directed to dis- 
mount. We went to our prison; it 
was a small log hut, with no window 
and one door. At one end was what 
they called a bunk, a wide case of 
rough boards filled with straw. There 
were two others on one side of the 
room, and opposite to them a fireplace. 
Overhead were poles across, on which 
hung saddlebags, old coats and various 
other matters of the same description. 
In one corner sat an Indian chained 
to a table by the leg, his arms tightly 
pinioned. We found it was the son 
of the Speaker of the Council, Going 
Snake. They had charged him with 
refusing to give in his name and the 
number in his family to the United 
States Census Taker. He denied the 
accusation, but his denial went un- 
heeded. He smiled and seemed pa- 
tient; they removed him and left us 
the only prisoners, but never alone. 
The door was always open; the place 
was a rendezvous for the Guard and 
all their friends. Two sentinels with 
musquets loaded and bayonets fixed 
kept us always in view. The place of 
one was on the inside and the other 
on the outside. I was wet to the skin, 
fatigued and unconsciously sighted. At 
that moment I saw two of the young 
men exchange looks and laugh. 
Throughout the day I heard dark 
phrases which seemed to betoken some 
intended mischief. Several people 
came in to look at us and we were 
shown the largest bunk, which was set 
apart for our use, and there we tried 
to sleep. Presently my saddlebags 
were demanded, examined and after 
a while returned. 

I heard a guard say that not a soul 
ought to leave the lines that day, that 
all were bound to remain as witnesses. 
Another asked a companion what he 
would be doing were it not Sunday. 
The companion made a motion of 
wielding a scourge and with a grin 
declared, "That, and glad of a chance, 
too!" 

"Where's Tom?" asked one. 

"Gone to preachin'," was the reply. 

"Oh, hell!" rejoined a third, and a 



hoarse laugh followed. Then someone 
struck up 

"Jenny, will your dog bite? 
No, sir, no!" 

Which was responded to by 

"Jesus the Glorious 

Reigns here victorious !" 

And from another side came 

"I'll not go home 'till morning, 'till 

moryiing, 

"I'll not go home 'till morning!" 

And then there would be a hud- 
dling off to fire pistols, and thus pass- 
ed the Sabbath. I ought not to forget 
that in the course of the day I saw 
Mr. Absalom Bishop talking to some 
strangers. All stared frowningly to- 
wards me and I heard Mr. Absalom as 
I passed muttering low, "best leave 
the country." 

Towards evening I asked who was 
the officer in command. I was told 
the quartermaster. I sent for him, 
and he answered that he was busy, 
but would come by and by. When he 
appeared I asked if he would send 
a letter for us to an officer of the 
United States troops at the agency, 
provided we would pay the cost of an 
express. He asked why we wanted to 
send. I said perhaps a message would 
be returned which might set our af- 
fairs right. The quartermaster mut- 
tered "That would be rather contrary 
to 02-ders," gave a puff or two of his 
pipe and walked away, all the rest in 
the room following and leaving us for 
the first time a moment by ourselves. 

The long night came. Some ten 
or twelve remained in our room, the 
floor being paved with sleepers. I 
heard an order spoken of that night 
that nobody was to be allowed to en- 
ter that room; but that when the drum 
was tapped at daybreak, every man 
was to fly to his gun. Long before 
morning several got up and sat around 
the fire, smoking and talking. 

"Ah!" said one; "there must have 
been some beautiful slicking* done last 
night!" 

"First one timber fell, and the fam- 
ily tumbled on their knees." 
"Ha, ha, ha!" 
"And one began to beg." 
Here was another roar. 

"And the little ones squalled 'Mam- 
my! Mammy!' " 

Now they all mimicked crying chil- 
dren. 



•Refers to summary punishment administered 
by vigilance committees. 



John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 



61 



"And then the old woman fell to 
praying." 

Here was a deafening shout of 
laughter, which was so long continued 
that they became exhausted, and we 
had some repose. Somewhere about 
this time a house in the town had been 
attacked, as far as we could gather 
by a mob, and violence committed; but 
all knowledge of the rioters was de- 
nied by the Guard among themselves, 
though the attack was a constant theme 
of conversation, and all the particu- 
lars connected with it detailed. 

The time dragged on most drearily. 
In a day or two Young returned. He 
seemed in better humor. He brought 
me a couple of volumes of Gil Bias 
and the "Belgian Traveller." He also 
brought some clothes for Mr. Ross. 
He said, too, he had my pistols, and 
I could take them when I liked. He 
told me he wanted to subscribe for 
my periodical. He hoped if I ever 
mentioned him I would speak well of 
him. I assured him I would speak as 
well as I could, but I must tell the 
truth. 

"Ah," said he, "you've abused us 
already. We've got a letter where you 
say the Guard look like banditti." 

I replied that the letter was never 
published, and of course could form 
no part of the excuse for my arrest. 

"No matter," added he, "you oughtn't 
to have abused the Guard." 

I need not remark that this was the 
letter I have alluded to before. I 
pressed Young to let us know on what 
grounds we were arrested. 

"Why," he said, "I can tell you one 
thing they've got agin you, only you 
needn't say that I told you. They say 
you're an Abolitionist." 

I could not help laughing at the ex- 
cessive absurdity of this, and consid- 
ered it as a mere dream of the man, 
whose brain often seemed in the wrong 
place. At the same time, he told Mr. 
Ross that the charge upon him was 
that he had impeded taking the Cen- 
sus. Mr. Ross repelled the accusa- 
tion vigorously, and required to be 
heard, and to know his accuser. Young 
said all he could tell was that Major 
Currey gave him the order for our ar- 
rest; that he had not only a written 
but a verbal order, and upon that we 
were taken. What the verbal order 
was he would not tell to anybody. We 
asked how long we were to be con- 
fined. He said till Col. Bishop re- 



*Wm. Carroll. 



turned from Milledgeville. We re- 
quested to know when that would be. 

"About Christmas." 

I then asked to write the President 
of the United States. It was refused. 
I asked to write to the Governor of 
Tennessee. It was refused. I asked to 
write to the Governor of Georgia. It 
v/as refused. I was also denied my 
request to communicate with my 
friends at home. I asked Young if 
he was an officer of the United States. 
He replied that he was not. Mr. Ross 
then asked him if he were not an of- 
ficer of the United States, how he 
came to obey the order of Major Cur- 
rey by passing over the boundaries of 
Tennessee. He replied that in Geor- 
gia it was not law, it was all power. 
I then observed that the rights of an 
American citizen were sacred. They 
were secured to him by the Constitution, 
and that to trample upon them thus 
wantonly would render his, or any 
man's situation, a very dangerous one 
with the people of a country like ours, 
who must look upon it as their com- 
mon cause. 

"Pooh!" replied he; "that mignt 
have done very well once, but Lord! 
don't you know that's all over now?" 

This was of course unanswerable. 

In the meantime, a suggestion was 
made to us in a very unexpected way 
of a plan of escape. We looked upon 
it with suspicion, and thought it best 
not even through curiosity to give it 
encouragement. It appeared to us 
that it might be a plan that, even 
should it succeed, would make us seem 
in the wrong; and we knew that at- 
tempts of that nature, which had not 
succeeded, had been fatal. We thought 
it safer to be patient. 

I contrived, however, to elude the 
vigilance of our watchers. I found 
among my clothes a letter of intro- 
duction from one of the first mer- 
chants in Athens to a lawyer in Floyd 
County, Ga. There was blank room 
enough in it to allow me to turn the 
sheet and to write inside. I had a 
pencil in my pocket. While pretend- 
ing to read a newspaper I scribbled 
by snatches an appeal to the Gover- 
nor of Tennessee.* It was conveyed 
out of the lines to a friend who inked 
the superscription and made a copy 
from the inside, which he afterwards 
gave me, but I have mislaid it. An 
express with the most kind friendship 
flew across the country with this let- 
ter to the Cherokee Agency, and thence 
it was forwarded by another express 



62 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



to Nashville. I have not yet learned 
the result. 

We now heard that a brother of Mr. 
Koss and another gentleman had in 
vam sougnt to see us. We next ob- 
tained information that a son and a 
friend of JWr. Ross had arrived. After 
much demur Mr. Koss was allowed to 
speak with his son, provided he only 
conversed on family affairs. The 
father and son met at the steps of 
one entrance to the enclosure. The 
steps were filled with curious listen- 
ers. When attempting to utter a syl- 
lable of domestic inquiry to his son in 
Cherokee, Mr. Joshua Holden sudden^ 
ly interdicted Mr. Ross from proceed- 
ing. 

One afternoon subsequently there 
was an arrival which gave great joy 
to Sergeant Young. Some guards re- 
turned from furlough with Governor 
Lumpkin's valedictory message, with 
news that Mr. Bishop had got the bet- 
ter of an old enemy in a street affray 
at Milledgeville, and that a sort of 
patron of Young, by the name of 
Kenan,* had been elected Judge of 
the Supreme Court of Georgia. At 
this last intelligence. Young frisked 
about like a lunatic. He drew my 
pistols and fired them off in triumph. 
He whooped, he laughed, he capei-ed. 
He ran into our room. 

"Aha!" exclaimed he. "He's the fel- 
low that will bring down the consti- 
tution!" 

I replied that I thought it would 
have been much better to have found 
a fellow that would bring it up — it 
vvas down low enough already. But 
Young seemed to look upon this elec- 
tion, especially when coupled with the 
appointment of two of his family con- 
nection to high places in the state, 
as a source of great hope for his own 
advancement, and was perfectly be- 
wildered with exultation. In the eve- 
ning, a newspaper was produced, con- 
taining Gov. Lumpkin's valedictory 
message. There were some envenomed 
passages in it against Mr. Ross. Young 
had already put it into the hands of 
Mr. Ross, and then desired me to read 
it aloud. I objected. I appealed to 
his own sense of decency, but he per- 
sisted and when Mr. Ross united with 
him, I read the passage and gave the 
hearers full benefit of this petty 
triumph over a prisoner in their power. 

The next change which occurred was 
the determination of the Sergeant to 
post off to Milledgeville. When he 
communicated this to us, Mr. Ross 
asked to be conducted with him thither, 



that he might learn from the Governor 
of the State why he was detained, 
and answer his accusers. This was 
denied, but the sergeant promised he 
would take a letter. Soon afterwards 
the polished Mr. Absalom Bishop made 
his appearance. He had understood 
from Mr. Young that Mr. Ross wish- 
ed to addi'ess the Governor. If on 
seeing the latter, Mr. Absalom Bishop 
should find it might facilitate the set- 
tlement of the Cherokee question, he 
would himself be the bearer. This 
seemed to me, especially in an unoffi- 
cial position, a piece of the most ar- 
rant impertinence I had ever heard. I 
tcok occasion myself at the same time 
to repeat my request for leave not 
only to write to the Governor of Geor- 
gia, but to the Governor of Tennessee, 
to the President and to my friends. 
I received this extraordinary reply: 

"Your fate will be decided and the 
result made nublic before you can 
reach either of the persons you have 
nained." 

I pressed to know on what charge 
I was imorisoned. Mr. Absalom Bish- 
op remarked that I would learn ere 
long from the proper authority, and 
added with a simper, "You are not in 
so bad a fix as Arthur Tappan, for 
I see by the paners that they are 
parading him with a halter around 
his neck." 

Mr. Ross, with some warmth, ex- 
claimed, "I hope, sir, you do not com- 
pare our case with his!" 

"Indeed, sir," smiled the gentle Mr. 
Absalom, "Mr. Payne has for some 
time been under suspicion as an Abo- 
litionist." And still the charge seem- 
ed to me so ridiculous that I could 
not but join Mr. Absalom Bishop in 
his smile, and I answered: 

"Oh, if that's all, it can soon be 
settled!" 

"No," replied my comforter, "that's 
not the only charge, but you will know 
in time, and a fortnight can not make 
much difference." 

Mr. Ross was now supplied with 
paper, and Mr. Absalom Bishop re- 
mained to watch him. When the let- 
ter was completed, the Guards were 
already crowding the dooi-way, their 
eyes and ears and mouths distended 
with curiosity. Mr. Ross folded the 
letter and handed it to Mr. Absalom, 
who very deliberately opened and read 
it, and replied he thought it might 
do; he then went out, followed by 
Sergt. Young. After a while, both 

*Owen H. Kenan, of Newnan, judge of- the 
Tallapoosa Circuit, Superior Court. 



John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 



63 



returned. Mr. Absalom Bishop ob- 
served that he wished a postscript, 
more distinctly assuring the Governor 
that he was desirous of making a 
Treaty speedily, and that he urged a 
release forthwith, merely in order to 
accompany the delegation to Washing- 
ton and accelerate the treaty. Mr. 
Ross pointed out a part of his letter 
which already stated as much ; but Mr. 
Absalom Bishop thought a postscript 
desirable, and so the postscript was 
added and pronounced satisfactory, 
and the letter and its bearer disap- 
peared. I could almost fancy the 
genius of this country exclaiming after 
him, "Oh, Absalom, my son, my son!" 

The departure was fixed for the 
next day, but in the meantime there 
arose trouble in the camp. Sergt. 
Young heard a guard complaining of 
him, and rushed at him with a club. 
The guard struggled and Young drew 
my pistol on him. The rest of the 
troop caught Young's arm and saved 
their comrade. Young afterwards 
was grumbling at his failure. "I have 
paid $1,500 already," said he, "for 
shooting and stabbing, and I think I 
can raise another $1,500." He next 
entertained us with a story of revenge 
upon a negro slave of his whom he had 
caught stealing. He had shaved the 
fellow's ear off close with a razor, 
"and the damned rascal," added he, 
"said he never could hear after that, 
and it was a damned of a while before 
the place healed up." 

I confess it somewhat annoyed me 
to find my pistols in the constant 
wearing of this person. I had fre- 
quently given him hints after he had 
promised to return them, but he took 
no notice. One morning I remarked, 
"Those pistol straps will be worn out 
before I have a chance of putting them 
on." "I reckon not," said Young, 
"they'll last till spring, I take it." 

But now that he was preparing for 
a long journey and an indefinite ab- 
sence, I thought it expedient to re- 
quest their return explicitly. He de- 
murred; would take it as a great favor 
if I would lend them to him. He would 
be back long before I could get out; 
he would do as much at any time for 
me. Then suddenly recollecting him- 
self, he said: "I know I've behaved 
like a damned mean man to you." 
"Yes, you have," replied I; "you struck 
me." "I know I did, and I've hated 
it ever since." "I never named it," 
I replied, "but I never forgot it." "But 
you'd better let me have the pistols. 
I'll buy them — what did they cost?" I 



named the cost and he cried, "I'll leave 
'em. I'll give 'em to the quartermas- 
ter to keep." 

The pistols were eventually sent out 
of the lines to a son of Mr. Ross, from 
whom I have since obtained them; but 
their withdrawal seemed to sink deep 
into the Sergeant's mind. In speak- 
ing of it to him I remarked: "My 
own things may as well be under my 
own command. I did not seek the pis- 
tols because I thought them of any 
great importance as a defense; what- 
ever may chance, I suppose our lives 
are safe enough." 

"Maybe not," observed the Sergeant. 

Soon afterwards, another conversa- 
tion arose. "Did I understand you 
rightly," observed I to the Sergeant, 
"or were you only joking when you 
said a while ago that our lives were 
in danger here? You surely could 
not mean that we are in danger." 

"You see the sort of company you've 
got into," replied he; "I can't an- 
swer for anybody when I'm once away. 
However, there's one honest man here 
and I'll put you under his charge. 
Riley Wilson's an honest man. I've 
plenty of enemies in these lines, but 
I'll not be made an instrument of by 
any man. When I go away now, I'll 
wash my hands of the whole concern. 
No man shall make me an instrument. 
I'll not bear the whole brunt of this 
affair, I'll assure you." 

I made a very serious appeal to him, 
but he took no heed of it, nor did he 
recall his words, but left us thus for 
Milledgeville. He had not long been 
gone when I chanced to fall into con- 
versation with a young man of the 
party, and asked him if there was any 
prejudice afloat against us. If there 
was, I should be glad to know what 
it was and whence it arose. He in- 
(luired why I made the question. I told 
him Young's assertion of our being in 
danger. It flew like wildfire through 
the lines. The room was filled in an 
instant and I told the whole story, 
which was confirmed by Mr. Ross. 
Some proposed to pursue Young im- 
mediately, tie him to a tree and "give 
him the hickory." Others threatened 
to fling him over the lines whenever 
he should return. I assured them I 
did not believe he meant more than 
to annoy us; but they declared he was 
too fond of tormenting prisoners; that 
there was no person there at all in- 
clined to impose on a prisoner but 
Young, and it was time he be taught 
better or withdraw. They asserted 



64 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



there was not a man on the hill but 
respected both of us, and we might 
rely on their support. The burst of 
good feeling that appeared on this oc- 
casion convinced me that most of 
those persons, in conscientious hands, 
might be moulded into valuable char- 
acters. It is their misfortune to be 
governed by men whose fitness may be 
gathered from the facts I have detail- 
ed, and youths, as many of them are, 
of unformed principles and habits, can 
not but be endangered by such direc- 
tors, especially as their captain, for 
electioneering purposes, cajoles them 
into a blind devotedness to him and 
to anything he may propose, no mat- 
ter how outrageous. 

They now seemed for a moment to 
feel how much their reputation had 
been darkened by their leaders. "Yes, 
this is the way that that Indian lost 
his life. He was told by a man that 
talked Cherokee that the Guard meant 
to come in during the night and cut 
his throat, so he hanged himself on 
the pole there that crosses at the foot 
of your bed." 

In the afternoon of this day there 
came a great and unexpected revolu- 
tion in the affairs of our little world. 
There was a sudden announcement of 
the arrival of the Captain-Colonel 
Bishop. An express was instantly sent 
off to recall Young and Absalom 
Bishop, with their letter, from Mil- 
ledgeville. Next morning at breakfast 
time the mighty chieftain appeared. 
He is a dapper and well-dressed and 
well-made little man, with a gray head 
and blue coat, well brushed, and bright 
yellow buttons. I had already remark- 
ed that this Bucephalus seemed train- 
ed to curvet and plunge like circus 
horses, with a great show of mettle, 
but perfect safety to the rider. In 
manner his grandeur was somewhat 
melodramatic. 

I have seen Napoleon Bonaparte, I 
have seen the Duke of Wellington, 
I have seen the Emperor Alexander, 
the Emperor Francis, the King of Eng- 
land, the King of Prussia; I have seen 
Ney, Rapp, Blucher, Swartzenburg — 
in "short, I have seen most of the con- 
temporai-y great men of Europe, as 
well as America, but I have never yet 
seen quite so great a man as the Tav- 
ern Keeper, Clerk of the Court, Post- 
master, County Treasurer, Captain, 
Colonel W. N. Bishop. He was now 
no longer the meek Moses of the Coun- 
cil Ground. He was all emphasis and 
frown to the poor prisoners in his 
power, but with a peculiar affection 



to his men of bonhomviie. He came 
into the mess room, exclaiming, "Ah, 
boys!" (for boys is the cant word by 
which they speak to and of each other 
in the lines). "Ah, boys, how are 
you?" and he walked around shaking 
hands with each of the boys, but to 
both of us he was especially cold and 
formal ; to me he scarcely even deigned 
a specific nod. 

Mr. Ross expressed a wish, through 
one of our sentries, for an interview, 
but no notice was taken of the re- 
quest. On the evening of that day, 
as I was walking to and fro before 
my prison, reading, a voice bawled 
out, "Mr. Payne, that was a mistake 
of yours about what I said," and I 
saw Young bearing down upon me, 
flourishing a club. Someone called to 
the sentry, "Guard your prisoner!" 
and the sentry closed up towards me 
on one side, putting his gun in readi- 
ness for action, and about 30 of the 
Guard now drew nigh on the other. 
I did not conceive that there was any 
intention on the Sergeant's part to do 
mischief, although the Guard thought 
otherwise, and declared if he had 
struck, it would have been the un- 
luckiest blow of his life. He attempted 
to deny a part of his words and then 
to explain them away, but he saw it 
was of no use, and so the matter 
ended. 

The Sergeant's revenge, however, 
was rather amusing. He said Mr. Ross 
and I should turn out of the bunk of 
which he was part owner. The men 
laughed and gave us one of theirs. 
Here is another instance of their su- 
periority to their officers. If we were 
state prisoners, however, we ought not, 
for our miserable straw, to have been 
dependent, either upon the men or 
upon the Sergeant. 

Somewhere about this time a very 
extraordinary incident took place. A 
Dr. Farmer came into the room with 
one of the Guard. After sitting a 
while, he looked at me and said: 

"Parlez vous Francais, Monsieur?" 

"Oui, Monsieur," I replied. 

The doctor and the Guard now ex- 
changed looks, and both smiled. 

"Je parle Francais," continued I, 
''mais Je suis Americain." 

The doctor mused for a while and 
then departed with the Guard, leav- 
ing Mr. Ross and me alone. I ob- 
served, "This is a strange business. I 
think that man has something to com- 
municate which may be important, and 
he wished to know if I could speak 



John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 



65 



French that he might tell me his er- 
rand more freely." 

Mr. Ross asked me what he had 
said. I replied that he only asked if 
I understood French, and I answered 
that I did, but was an American. Mr. 
Ross observed that he knew nothing 
of the man, but had heard bad stories 
of his connections. It then occurred 
to me that the doctor had merely 
meant to try his French upon me, and 
had soon got to the end of his stock. 
Nor did the scene return to my mem- 
ory until I heard, on my liberation, 
that he had become one of my most 
formidable accusers; that he had said 
I confessed to him that my parents 
were French, and that I myself was 
an Abolitionist! The doctor must be 
within reach of this narrative. If he 
is innocent of the falsehood, it is due 
to himself to seek and expose the in- 
ventor. 

The next thing we heard, Mr. John 
Ridge was in the enclosure and closet- 
ed with Col. Bishop. It was said that 
he was at first denied an interview 
with Mr. Ross, but at length Mr. 
Ross was sent for to meet Ridge and 
Bishop. After a few words. Bishop 
suddenly arose and left them together. 
When Mr. Ross returned, he exclaim- 
ed, "It's all out now; we are both 
Abolitionists and here for a capital 
offense. We are the agents of some 
great men, Mr. Clay, Mr. Calhoun, 
Judge White, Mr. Poindexter, and the 
Lord knows who; and we have both 
plotted in concert with them to raise 
an insurrection among the negroes, 
who are to join the Indians against 
the whites!" 

I could not even yet regard the 
charge as having been made seriously, 
but Mr. Ross was assured it had been, 
and he added : 

"Bishop wishes to screen Currey 
and take the arrest upon himself, so 
we had better say nothing about that." 

In the evening Mr. Ridge had an- 
other interview, and on Monday, Nov. 
16th, all were closeted for some hours. 
About four, Mr. Ross entered the room 
with a bundle in his hand. 

"I've got my papers!" exclaimed he, 
and dashing them into the bunk, we 
went to dinner. Bishop and his broth- 
er sat opposite. They were silent, 
and all the party appeared nettled. I 
will do the brace of Bishops the jus- 
tice to own that they both, from first 
to last, seemed in their hearts ashamed 
to meet my glance, notwithstanding 
much outward swagger. When dinner 



was ended, Col. Bishop, giving a sort 
of menacing look at me, exclaimed to 
the sentinel with an emphatic gesture, 
"Mr. Ross is discharged." 

I walked back to my prison. Mr. 
Ross, after some time, came for his 
things. He said he was under the 
necessity of getting home that night; 
told me to make myself easy — all 
would come out right. 

"You have never published anything 
about Bishop or the Guard in Lumpkin 
County, have you?" was his only re- 
mark. 

"Not a syllable," replied I, "either 
in Lumpkin County, or any other 
county in Georgia or elsewhere." 

"So I said," added he, "and you may 
as well explain that when you see Coi. 
Bishop." 

Mr. Ross seemed in haste. I imag- 
ined he had been interdicted from com- 
municating with me, and therefore 
asked no explanations, especially as 
the sentry was watching; nevertheless, 
I requested he would solicit an inter- 
view for me with Bishop, and ask a 
speedy examination of my papers. He 
went out and after some conversation 
with Bishop came back, and stated 
that Bishop had business that after- 
noon which would prevent his attend- 
ing to me, but the next day (Tues- 
day) he would see me; and then my 
companion mounted his horse and left 
me alone and with feelings and un- 
der a suspense and doubt by no means 
to be envied. This event, I observed, 
produced an instantaneous effect upon 
the manner of the Guard towards me; 
but ere long some of them seemed to 
feel a deeper sympathy than ever, and 
were marked, though silent, in their 
civility. Others were unusually rude. 
One man in particular, who was to 
have been a sort of ruler during 
Young's intended stay at Milledgeville, 
became very coarse. 

"Here!" he bawled one day across 
the yard to me, after I had been for- 
gotten at the first table for dinner. 
"Here, you old prisoner you, come 
along and eat!" 

At one time I apprehended an in- 
tention to increase the rigor of my 
treatment. I heard one of the officers 
calling for the Indian chain. "Where's 
the Indian chain?" This is a chain 
they keep expressly for the Indians, 
and the captive we found there, hav- 
ing been dismissed, as he was taken 
without law or reason assigned, the 
chain had been thrown under one of 
the bunks of our room and had been 



66 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 





.-^' 





f 





» •c-?«^f 



INDIAN RELICS FOUND ON FLOYD COUNTY FARMS 

The bludgeon, axes and short shaft spear at the top were used for war and other pur- 
poses. The pestles in the center were employed to grind corn in wooden mortars. 1 he bowl 
was unearthed on the E. J. Moultrie farm in the Coosa Valley and the arrow heads picked up 
In bottom lands and on hillsides here and there. 



John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 



67 



a while without an occupant. But my 
impression was not realized. The chain 
was undisturbed. 

Although friends and acquaintances 
were rigorously excluded from my 
prison, there seemed no exclusion of 
any one who came out of mere cu- 
riosity. A drunken countryman stag- 
gered in one day. I was reading. 

"I've spent all my money," said he, 
"waiting in this town to see John 
Ross and that other fellow." 

I told him John Ross was gone. 
After a while he gave me a knowing 
wink and touched my elbow. "Aye, 
aye, mighty good books— I like 'em, 
too. I'm all for the ablutions." I ask- 
ed him what he meant. He then hint- 
ed that he had heard that John Ross 
was one of the ablutions, and so was 
he. I interrupted him; told him he 
was mistaken in John Ross; that I 
presumed I was "the other fellow," 
and that the story he had heard against 
us was all an invention, and if he 
wanted ablutions, as he called them, 
he must look for them elsewhere. 

He begged a thousand pardons. The 
Guard then said it was against or- 
ders to talk to the prisoner, and my 
friend of the ablutions reeled out, 
bowing and hoping he "hadn't given 
no offense to nobody, only he did just 
want to have a look at the ablutions." 

The time began to drag on more 
drearily than ever. I had read up 
all the books. I had no pen nor ink, 
nor paper to write with. My only 
amusement was parading before the 
door and mentally composing a dog- 
gerel description of my captivity, of 
which even the little that I remem- 
bered is not yet committed to paper. 
Scenes of extreme confusion were oc- 
curring hourly in my den. The eve- 
nings were almost insupportable. The 
room w^as thronged. A violin was tor- 
mented into shrieks and groans which 
were nicknamed music; there was 
dancing and singing until tattoo; and 
after that, conversation which ex- 
ceeded in vulgarity, profanity and filth 
anything I ever could have fancied. 
Almost the only exceptions which in 
the least could amuse were these: 

"Where's that St. Helena," said the 
Sergeant, "that Kill Blast belonged 
to?" 

"St. Helena," replied I, "is the place 
where Bonaparte died. Gil Bias be- 
longed to another part of the world; 
Santillane in — " 

"Ah yes; well, you remember most 
everything. I wish you'd remember 



that I'm to take a dose of salts to- 
morrow morning at four, and tell me 
of it.'' 

"Are you anything of a silversmith?" 
asked one of the young men. "I want 
to get some silver work fixed." 

"Where's New York?" inquired an- 
other; "England, ain't it?" 

"No, it's the largest city in our own 
country." 

"But you must go to it over the 
ocean, mustn't you?" 

"You may if you go the right way 
to work," I replied. 

One day the sentry who was guard- 
ing me in a ramble round the grounds 
made a sudden halt, and dropping his 
musquet abruptly, stared me fiercely 
in the face. 

"What do you follow when you're at 
home?" 

I paused, returned the fierce stare, 
and replied, "Literature." 

The man looked astounded. He stood 
a while motionless, then took up his 
gun. "Go on!" cried he, and we pro- 
ceeded in silence, he no doubt imag- 
ining that I had made a full confes- 
sion of my sins. 

One evening the importance of 
knowing how to spell was discussed. 
"There's no use in it at all," said the 
oldest of the party, "because there's 
two ways to spell everything." 

"Yes," I observed, "there's a right 
way and a wrong one." 

"Come now," exclaimed one guard 
to another. "How would you spell 
axe? We'll leave it to the man (mean- 
ing me) to say which way's right." 

"Oh, that's easy enough: A-X." 

"No," was the reply, doubtingly, and 
with a glance at me. "There are three 
letters," observed I, "in the word." 

"I know," said a third: "W-A-X." 

"That spells wax!" exclaimed the 
first in triumph. 

"E-A-X!" cried a fifth. 

"That's eax," called out the third, 
with a laugh, and they all looked at 
me. 

"There's the number of letters and 
the proper letters if they were only in 
the proper places. The E is at the 
wrong end," I observed. 

"Ah, I know!" replied two or three, 
clapping their hands. "A-X-E." And' 
so the contest ended. 

The remainder of Monday, and then 
Tuesday, and then Wednesday passed 
off in the Colonel's paying arrearages 



68 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



to the men and settling accounts; and 
the men themselves were engaged in 
trafficking and settling up their lit- 
tle bills among themselves, and swap- 
ping. From first to last they had 
been wishing to swap for everj-thing 
I had — my knife, my pistols, my horse, 
my saddle, my watch; in short, every- 
thing seemed to tempt them, but above 
all, a buffalo hide which I used over 
my saddle. My watch was a perpetual 
torment to me. Every five minutes, 
sometimes for hours, I was teazed to 
tell what o'clock it was; and at night 
I was desired to hang up my watch 
that the two sentinels might regulate 
their movements by it. Some of the 
Guards borrowed money from me, but 
except for a trifle, which was only 
u-ithheld, probably because my sortie 
was unforeseen, all was punctually 
repaid. During all the remainder of 
the time, Bishop and his brother avoid- 
ed meeting me at table or elsewhere. 
And now all pretense of business 
appeared at an end. Everything of 
that nature seemed to wind up with 
an auction, in which the Captain-Col- 
onel performed as Auctioneer to his 
men. Some rifles belonging to Indians 
who had been shot in attempting to 
escape capture were bid off; then a 
coat; then the "boys" were asked if 
they had anything else which they de- 
sired to sell, and then the "gentlemen"' 
were thanked for their attention, and 
dismissed. After this the Captain-Col- 
onel seemed closeted upon secret busi- 
ness. I inferred from some circum- 
stances that he was making copies 
from among the manuscript documents 
I had transcribed regarding Cherokee 
affairs. They were mostly the same 
with the papers returned to Mr. Ross, 
but fairly written and arranged in or- 
der and therefore most convenient for 
a transcription. During this employ, 
a fine of S20 was proclaimed against 
any guard who should approach the 
door of the sanctum sanctorum, and a 
sentinel was ordered to keep watch 
and prevent intrusion. 

All that I heard from without dur- 
ing the week was that Mr. Ross had 
sent a messenger, who was prevented 
from seeing me; and a guard apprised 
me that he had been requested by this 
messenger to say "my friends had not 
forgotten me; in a few days all would 
come right." 

I learned afterward that this in- 
formant had proffered to convey to 
me letters or papers, and a note was 
consequently given to him, but it never 
came to hand. I had been told that 



Mr. Schermerhorn was expected about 
this time, and I knew that if we met, 
decency would have rendered it im- 
perative on him to bring about my 
release. I asked Young, and he pre- 
tended not to know when the Rev- 
erend Commissioner would appear, but 
observed "he knew all about it, for 
news was sent off to him at once." 

On Friday morning, Nov. 20th, Ser- 
geant Young told me he was going to 
his home. I had already understood 
that Col. Bishop was preparing for 
a trip to Milledgeville. Young had 
several times bantered me about "when 
I expected my furlough" and "why I 
didn't get on my horse and ride off." 
He repeated his jeers this morning. 
He asked me if I had not seen the 
Colonel yet. I replied no; expressed 
a wish to see him and desired Young 
to name my wish. 

"The Colonel's got nothing agin you 
that I know of, except something you 
writ about us in Lumpkin." I replied 
I had written nothing in Lumpkin. 
"Well, then, in Habersham, when you 
was up there at Clarkesville." 

I said that was equally a slander 
and asked as a point of common jus- 
tice, at least, to be shown the articles I 
was accused of having written. But 
Young evaded the request by saying, 
"At any rate, you wrote a letter where 
you called the Guard banditti, for we 
found that among your papers; and 
vou ought not to have wrote such a 
letter." 

"Have I not a right to make what 
private notes I please? The paper you 
speak of was never published. Even 
though it had been, no one can be 
justified in complaining of me for only 
exercising a privilege guaranteed to 
me by the constitution of my native 
country. But it was not published and 
could form no part of the cause of 
my arrest, nor of the pretext for my 
detention." 

"I mean to keep them letters," said 
Young, "in case you should ever print 
anything if you ever git out, so as to 
prove it agin you. I don't give them 
up. You oughtn't to have said the 
Guard looked like banditti." 

It was not above half an hour after 
this when I perceived preparations for 
something unusual. The men were all 
summoned to be ready at the roll of 
the drum. My horse was ordered out, 
as I understood, to be taken to water. 
But I was convinced from many signs 
that I myself was the object of the 
mysterious movements. A son of the 



John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 



69 



Colonel kept staring around at me 
with intense curiosity, and many oth- 
ers looked on in silence, as persons 
look upon any one about to under- 
go some terrible ordeal. The Colonel's 
horse was saddled and put in read- 
iness, and another horse was also pre- 
pared, and Mr. Joshua Holden ap- 
peared, equipped for a campaign. At 
length the drum beat. I heard the 
sergeant say, recommending some one 
to the Captain-Colonel, "He may be 
trusted." 

And now one of the Guard ran to 
me: "Your saddlebags, your saddle- 
bags." "Why?" "You're going out." 
I went to the bunk. "Is there not 
some mischief intended?" asked I. "I 
can't tell, but you'd better make me 
a present of that buffalo hide." "No," 
answered I; "it was given to me and 
has been too good a friend to me in 
trouble." The guard took the saddle- 
bags and buffalo skin, and with it 
a very large and cumbersome cloak 
and some loose clothes. I found them 
heaped upon my horse. "The straps 
to fasten these are not here." "I 
can't help it," was the answer. "Get 
on, get on!" "I can not over this 
pile of things." "You must." "This 
is not my bridle ; mine was a new one 
and double. Where are my martin- 
gales, my straps?" "Get on, get on!" 
I was compelled to mount, and the 
mass of unfastened things was piled 
up before me; the saddle was loosely 
girted, and the horse was startled, and, 
as if on purpose, covered with mud. 
I still claimed my bridle, but was con- 
ducted in front of the paraded Guard, 
he who led my horse muttering as he 
went, "That's the bridle they said was 
yours." 

The Captain-Colonel stood in front 
of his men. "Halt your horse there, 
sir, and beware how you speak a 
word." I attempted to speak, but he 
shouted : 

"Be silent, sir; look upon them men. 
Them's the men you in your writings 
have called banditti." 

Whether the eloquent Captain-Col- 
onel imagined I meant to reply, I can 
not say, but he repeated eagerly: 

"Don't speak, sir!" 

And I did not speak, but I did look 
upon the men, and if ever I compared 
them in appearance to banditti, the 
glance of that moment made me feel 
that I ought to ask of any banditti 
the most respectful pardon. Spirit of 
Shakespeare, forgive me too ! For if 
thy Falstaff and his ragged regiment 



came into my mind at such a moment, 
it was my misfortune, not my fault. 
But I will proceed. 

"You've come into this country to 
pry, ever since you arriv, into things 
you've no business with. You're a 
damned incendiary, sir! You've come 
into this country to rise up the Cher- 
okees against the whites. You've wrote 
agin these worthy men (pointing to 
the Guards). You've wrote agin the 
State of Georgia. You've wrote agin 
the gineral Government of the United 
States. Above all, sir, you've wrote 
agin me! Now, sir — " 

Then turning with an aside speech 
to some bystander, I think it was Mr. 
Joshua Holden, "Hand the things," 
said the Captain-Colonel, and a bun- 
dle with a loop, carefully prearranged 
so as to let the arm through, was 
given to me. 

"Xow, sir, take your papers; hang 
'em on your arm, sir, and I order you 
to cut out of Georgia. If you eVer 
dare agin show your face within the 
limits of Georgia, I'll make you curse 
the moment with your last breath. 
With your foul attacks on me you've 
filled the Georgia papers." 

I could not well endure to hear as- 
sertions so utterly unfounded, and took 
advantage of the pause of the elo- 
quent Captain-Colonel for breath, and 
exclaimed rather vehemently: 

"Upon my honor, no, sir!" 

"Hold your tongue, I say," resumed 
my jailor. "The minute you hear the 
tap of the drum, I tell you to cut out 
of this yard, and I order you never 
while you exist to be seen in'this state 
of ours any more, for if you are, I'll 
make you rue it! Let this be a lesson 
to you, and thank my sympathy for 
a stranger that you've been treated 
with such extraordinary kindness; and 
now, sir, clear out of the state forever, 
and go to John Ross, God damn you!" 

I looked on this pitiable exhibition 
with more of passion than resentment, 
and it seemed to me as if most of the 
Guard felt sorry for their leader. 
Never before did I so forcefully re- 
alize the truth of that beautiful pas- 
sage — 

Frail man, frail man, 
Brest in a little brief authority 
Plays such fantastic tricks before high 

Heaven 
As make the angels weep! 

I claimed my bridle again, but in 
vain, and I then moved of necessity 



70 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



slowly from the place, because I had 
great difficulty in retaining the things 
that had been piled upon my horse. 
When I got outside the lines, some of 
the affairs dropped off, and I stopped 
to ask a person to hand them to me, 
and at the same time to inquire the 
route to Big Spring.* On turning a 
corner a stranger told me I had bet- 
ter stop and dismount and arrange my 
baggage; and just then a gentleman 
called to me that he wished a word 
with me, and approached. He said he 
had a letter for me. I asked him the 
direction towards the residence of Mr. 
Ross. I saw that the letter he hand- 
ed me was from Mr. Ross, and related 
to my route. At that moment Col. 
Bishop and Mr. Josiah Holden dashed 
up like fiends. Bishop cursed me, 
threatened me, if I dared speak to 
any "damned Nullifier," and menaced 
to make an example out of me if I 
did not get out of the State. I paused 
to return the letter and to ask the 
road, but my pursuers continued to 
execrate and to roar. I went on and 
for the last time had the honor of 
again hearing the Colonel's eloquence, 
in a volley of oaths as he passed back 
towards the camp, threatening my life 
as a "damned old rascal" if he ever 
caught me daring to speak to another 
man in Georgia. 

I turned abruptly, entirely ignor- 
ant of the way, into a little wood. 
Descending a slippery spot, my horse, 
which had been startled by the rush- 
ing of the pursuers, stumbled. The 
saddle, which had been scarcely girt- 
ed on, turned, the large cloak caught 
around his legs and I found myself 
equally entangled in its folds with the 
horse, one of whose fore hoofs was 
planted on my breast. He snorted and 
stood in a sort of stupor of amaze- 
ment, his mouth open and almost 
touching mine, his ears erect, his nos- 
trils distended, and his eyes staring 
wildly into my eyes, for at least a 
minute. It is singular enough that I 
felt not the slightest sense of danger 
or even uneasiness; I only thought it 
best to remain quiet until I found 
what the horse meant to do; and then 
I took his hoof, lifted it aside, dis- 
engaged myself, arose and with some 
difficulty got my cloak from around 
his limbs. He did not even stiffen a 
joint when I lifted his foot from my 
breast, nor did I feel, while it was 
planted there, the slightest pressure, 
although the form of the hoof was by 
the red clay in which he had been 
tramping, so strongly defined upon 
my shirt bosom that it might in New 



England have answered for a sign to 
keep away the witches. But no sooner 
was the danger wholly past than I 
felt feeble and faint and perfectly 
unmanned. I had never, from the be- 
ginning to the end of my misadven- 
ture, experienced any sensation like 
that which now came over me. 

I could scarcely move. Before me 
there was a muddy streamlet across 
which there arose a hill with a hut 
at its top. I determined to walk up 
to that hut and there seek assistance 
in adjusting my things for a journey, 
and purchase cords or straps of some 
sort. But I could scarcely drag my 
horse through the stream. He was 
ravenous for water and kept me stand- 
ing in the middle of it while he drank. 
The woman of the house was much 
agitated by my appearance. She ask- 
ed, trembling and in tears "if the 
Guard would not come to her and hurt 
her for speaking to me." She seemed 
exceedingly anxious for me to get out 
of sight. I answered that I could not 
think they would be so brutal. I now 
found that my buffalo hide was miss- 
ing. I promised to pay another wom- 
an for going back to look for it, as 
it must have fallen close at hand. She 
returned presently and said it was not 
there. 

I had by this time secured my things 
with ropes. In paying the one woman 
I gave silver to pay the other. I 
could not help being struck by the cir- 
cumstance, under all this alarm at 
the hut, of my being called to by 
the one of these people who had fail- 
ed to accomplish her errand, to know 
whether I had left any money for her 
too. 

It so chanced that I got upon the 
direct road to McNair's, some 15 miles 
off and within the chartered limits of 
Tennessee. It is an Indian family. 
Nothing could be kinder or more cor- 
dial than my reception and treatment, 
notwithstanding the strong probabil- 
ity they fancied of my being still pur- 
sued thither for fresh torment by the 
Guard. They looked upon me as one 
risen from the dead. At McNair's I 
was for the first time fully apprised 
of the dangers which had beset me and 
which were still to be dreaded. I found 
that during my thirteen days' captiv- 
ity the most industrious efforts had 
been made to excite the country against 
me as an Abolitionist and a Foreign 



*Now in Meigs County, Tenn., 25 miles north 
of Blue Spring. He was trying to reach the 
latter after he was liberated, hoping to rejoin 
Ross. 



John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 



71 



Emissary. The most important step 
had been already taken. The minds 
of the country people had been fa- 
miliarized to the expectation of my 
being hanged, and they only waited 
for notice to assemble and enjoy the 
execution. The wife of a tavern keeper 
at Spring Place was reported to me 
by a traveller as having been heard 
to say I was a "very bad man," I was 
"sure to be hung," and one man had 
been hung thereabouts before for much 
less than I had done. I deserved the 
gallows and she herself would see me 
swinging with much pleasure — that 
she would, "wicked thing that I was!" 

This may be taken, I presume, as a 
fair specimen of the sort of excite- 
ment which had been got up. Those 
best acquainted with the neighborhood 
and with the spirit prevailing looked 
upon my situation from the first as 
the more perilous of the two; but when 
I was found to have been detained 
after Mr. Ross, it was considered as 
altogether desperate. That this was 
no idle belief may be inferred from 
a fact of which I was afterward ad- 
vised. A paper, belonging, as I un- 
derstand, to a friend of Bishop in 
Cassville — the only paper of the re- 
gion through which it was my long 
avowed plan to return — had sent forth 
the following tissue of impudent false- 
hoods, during the earlier days of our 
captivity, and the poison had taken 
effect : 

"Report," says the Cassville Pioneer 
of Nov. 13th, "has just reached us 
of the apprehension by the Georgia 
Guard of John Ross, together with a 
gentleman from the North. They were 
pursued by the soldiers stationed at 
Calhoun, Tenn., as far as the line of 
this state, where the chase was taken 
up by the Guard, who succeeded in 
overtaking them at an Indian's by the 
name of Sneaking Rabbit. The crime 
with which they are charged seems 
to be an effort, making by them, to 
arouse the Cherokees and negroes to 
the commission of hostilities on the 
white citizens of the Cherokee coun- 
try. If information be true, the pa- 
pers found in their possession go far 
to prove the hostility of their designs. 
Their communications had in a great 
measure been carried on in the French 
language. For want of a knowledge 
of that language, the Guard was un- 
able to comprehend fully their designs. 
Time alone can develop the truth of 
the report, but we trust for the peace 
of the community at large that it may 

*A long but harmless exhortation and appeal. 



not prove as true as present appear- 
ances seem to indicate." 

On discovering these reports, I felt 
some anxiety to examine the papers 
myself, wondering what could have 
created the French part of the charge. 
I looked among the manuscripts re- 
turned. The French papers which 
have puzzled the Captain, Colonel and 
the i-est seem to have been these: A 
numeration table, in Cherokee, by 
George Gist, the native inventor of 
the Cherokee alphabet; a specimen of 
Gist's handwriting in Cherokee and in 
the characters he had invented ; an ac- 
count of his life, also in the same lan- 
guage and characters, and written by 
his relation, George Lowry, second 
principal chief; and a literary com- 
position by Mr. Lowry, in Cherokee 
words, but English letters, which I 
preserved as a remarkable curiosity, 
because Mr. Lowry had never learned 
to read or write in any way, until 
after he had attained in age nearly 
half a century. 

These were the French letters. This 
was the French plot. And I have rea- 
son to believe that in their eagerness 
to get some evidence against us the 
wiseacres by whom we had been kid- 
napped sent far across the country for 
some learned Theban to translate the 
aforesaid French out of the original 
Cherokee! 

My other papers consisted of tran- 
scripts of public documents, a book of 
private memoranda, some specimen 
copy books from the Missionary School 
at Brainerd, appeals, the latter already 
mentioned and never printed, signed 
"Washington," and the address which 
I had drawn up for the Cherokee Na- 
tion to the people of the United States. 
The former of these was not returned 
to me. If stolen, I can not conjec- 
ture wherefor. If it had been re- 
turned, although the publication had 
not been intended, events would have 
induced me to have enabled the public 
to judge of it, as I now enable them 
to do of the other paper*, which was 
meant for circulation, and only re- 
strained by its seizure and our deten- 
tion from being sent round for sig- 
natures by all the people. My coun- 
trymen will find it annexed. It will 
show them how far my accusers have 
been justified in attempting my de- 
struction as an exciter of the Cher- 
okees to rise and murder the whites ! 

I must not omit here to mention 
that often and often since this affair 
have I blessed the chance which kept 
out of my reach any of these aboli- 



72 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



tion pamphlets which have been so 
much talked about. I have never seen 
any and have had some desire to see 
one for I am in the habit of gather- 
ing scraps of that sort as curiosities, 
and if one had come in my way I 
should certainly have preserved it, as 
valuable for a future illustration of 
our times; and that would have sealed 
my fate, for had the slightest docu- 
ment of such a nature been discovered 
in my possession, no explanation could 
have saved me. A pretext, and not 
the truth, was wanted; and such an 
accident, and by no means an un- 
likely one, could ere this have cost 
my life upon a scaffold. 

Before I close my list of escapes, 
let me mention one more. Mr. Ross 
had told me during our ride when first 
captured how glad he was of the pre- 
cautions which had been taken a long 
time before to prevent any resentment 
on the part of the Indians of any 
wrong whatever to their nation or its 
chiefs. Some indignity to him had 
long been expected and he felt satis- 
fied that the Cherokees would be dis- 
creet. I learned afterwards, however, 
that the indignation of some of them 
at this enormity almost overpowered 
the efforts of their leaders to keep 
them patient. Had they attacked the 
camp for our rescue I am convinced 
that as a first step of the defenders, 
we should have been shot. A scheme 
was also on foot, I have been told, in 
the bordering counties of Tennessee, to 
raise a force and bring us and the 
Guard back over the line, and there 
punish the intruders. This attempt 
would equally have exposed our lives, 
and in either case we should have 
been branded as having caused a civil 
war, and the first bloodshed might 
have been made an excuse to extermi- 
nate the Indians. In more than one 
instance during our imprisonment I 
remarked some uneasiness in the camp, 
but have only since learned whence 
it probably arose. 

But to resume my story. I sent a 
messenger across the forest to Red 
Clay, for the purpose of knowing what 
had become of Mr. Ross. With the 
messenger next day Mr. Ross and his 
Assistant Principal Chief* and Dr. 
Butler** came to congratulate me on 
my escape. Of Dr. Butler I ought to 
make some special mention. He was 
one of those who had been imprisoned 
in the Georgia penitentiary under the 
famous attack upon the Missionaries. 
He had deeply felt my danger, had 
written to my friends, though a 



stranger to them, in order that the 
result he secretly apprehended might 
not come upon their knowledge too 
suddenly, and had travelled a long road 
through a dreary night to seek influ- 
ence in my favor. His little family 
had implored Heaven for me with their 
prayers, and when I met them again, 
welcomed me with a touching enthu- 
siasm, which told the story of the peril 
I had escaped. It was when I went 
back with my visitors to the house 
of Mr. Ross that I saw them, and 
soon after, Mr. Ross and Mr. Lowry 
accompanied me as far as the agency. 
There the venerable Eena-tah-naah-eh, 
commonly called Going Snake, speaker 
of the Council, and one or two of its 
other members were in waiting to con- 
gratulate me. Old Eena-tah-naah-eh, 
though he could not speak a syllable 
of English, was eloquent with looks of 
joy. He had told Mr. Ross when he 
first called to see him after his eman- 
cipation, "It makes me happy to find 
you here. . But I am only half happy. 
I do not see our friend. I look at the 
chair where he used to sit, and it is 
empty. I look at the door and he does 
not enter. I listen for his voice, but 
all is silent." 

On hearing I was to be at the 
agency,*** the old man hastened thither. 
There, too, the officers of the United 
States army hailed me with the cor- 
diality of compatriots and gentlemen, 
feeling that the republic had been in- 
sulted in the treatment I had received, 
a spirit which appeared to prevail 
wherever I happened to pass people in 
my lonely ride to Knoxville, where I 
have had ample proof that Tennessee 
disdains the baseness of which I have 
been the victim within her sway. 

It may be asked whence this high- 
handed outrage of which Mr. Ross and 
myself have been the victims arose. 
There must have been some cause for 
it. The only cause I can guess for 
it is this : There was a wish to get 
possession of certain documents re- 
garding the treaty discussions from 
Mr. Ross, which had been asked for 
by the government agents and not 
given. It was known that I had made 
copies of all the recent public docu- 
ments of the Cherokee nation. The 
seizure of the papers of both Mr. Ross 
and myself would probably supply all 
that had been asked. There was no 



* George Lowrey. 

**Rev. Elijah Butler, who had charge of Mis- 
sioivary Station at Coosa, and who had spent 
a year and four months in the penitentiary at 
Milledgeville for "interfering" with the Indians. 

***Calhoun, Tenn. 



John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 



73 



force sufficiently lawless to undertake 
this but the Georgia Guard. Having 
adventured on the step, it was re- 
quisite to invent a pretext, and to 
cover themselves from indignation by 
keeping us out of view until the coun- 
try could be excited against us. The 
mad-dog cry of the day is Abolitionist. 
That was the most obvious mode of 
strangling complaint against the in- 
jury, for it was the most certain to 
get the injured themselves strangled, 
and "dead men tell no tales." Besides, 
if a mob could be raised, mischief 
could be done without responsibility. 
In order to make "assurance doubly 
sure"* the slander was heightened 
by the imputations of a French and 
Indian, connected with a negro plot, for 
universal massacre. The scheme, how- 
ever, did not take the effect expected. 
Then was Mr. Ross set free, under the 
plea, probably, that he had more 
friends than I. He was even treated 
at the dismissal with a show of court- 
liness, that his story might discredit 
mine. 

I was probably detained after him 
for two reasons. My papers contain- 
ed fair copies of all such among his 
as might be wanted. Mine were fair- 
ly written and arranged and could 
more easily be made use of by the 
transcriber. It was convenient to keep 
me until copies could be made of what- 
ever Cherokee documents the parties 
concerned might think useful. 

The other reason appears very like- 
ly to have been this: Alone and a 
stranger in a strange place, I might 
be made the readier victim could a 
stir be raised against me, either with- 
in the camp or within the neighbor- 
hood. The frequent mention by the 
officers of my having "abused the 
guard" was intended to spirit them 
to do me an injury. I heard one of 
them intimate with some indignation 
one day that he himself so understood 
it. To them and to all, my continued 
imprisonment was doubtless meant to 
convey the idea of proven guilt. The 
mode of my dismissal was evidently 
intended to be understood as an en- 
couragement to any violence that the 
"boys" within might choose to perpe- 
trate, and the hostile pursuit by threats 
as an excitement to the "boys" with- 
out. By crushing me, my persecutors 
might crush a witness and prevent 
future inquiry. Perhaps I was only 
saved by taking a road which no one 



*A favorite expression used by Woodrow 
Wilson. 

**So far as is known, Ross remained silent. 



expected I would take, though, in 
truth, as I said before, I think the 
"boys" considerably better than their 
leaders. 

But whatever the pretext for this 
enormity, there can be no excuse. If 
my visit to the house of Mr. Ross 
was objected to by the government 
agents, a hint would have been enough. 
If doubt were entertained of the na- 
ture of my memoranda, a request 
would have opened them to examina- 
tion. Violence would have been early 
enough when a disposition had been 
shown to respect gentleness. But that 
I was really engaged in any plot of 
any sort, I am persuaded never was 
believed by those who have commit- 
ted this outrage. What could I gain 
by the Cherokees? Every moment that 
I have passed in their country has 
been a loss to me and an inconven- 
ience. Nothing which they can offer 
can render me services, and men do not 
contrive treason when they can gain 
no advantage. I have been swayed in 
the very little I have gathered re- 
garding the Cherokees by a pure and 
distinterested wish to render my own 
country service, in leading it to be 
simply' just to theirs, and I have wish- 
ed to' supply myself with such mate- 
rial that the fairness which it might 
be impossible for me to excite for them 
from present legislation, I might my- 
self bestow on them in future history. 
In party questions I take no interest. 
I repeat again and again that I have 
looked into this matter as a philan- 
thropist, not as a politician. 

Mr. Ross will presently tell his own 
story.** His affairs have prevented 
him from joining me here in time to 
give it to the world with mine. I have 
wished to put my portion of the facts 
on record as speedily as possible, be- 
cause I am aware that great false- 
hood must be resorted to by my op- 
pressors in order to prevent public in- 
dignation against a great wrong. In- 
deed, with such foes and such modes 
as they adopt for gaining ends and 
such a' long and lonely road to travel, 
who knows how soon the complainer 
may be yet silenced? It is but a week 
since I was a prisoner. But whatever 
may be the risk, I deem it a duty to 
my country not to shirk from speak- 
ing the entire truth. 

People of Tennessee, to you I appeal! 
T was a peaceful visitor to your state. 
I had dwelt in it some weeks. A band 
of armed men, who, in overpassing the 
limits of their, own region, surely ren- 
dered themselves felons and banditti. 



74 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



burst into my retreat at midnight, 
dragged me four and twenty miles 
through a forest and during a drench- 
ing tempest. I was denied to com- 
municate with friends, with your gov- 
ernment, with our common protector, 
the President of the Union. I was 
denied a knowledge of the charge 
against me, or my accuser. After 
nearly two weeks of imprisonment I 
was insultingly and without examina- 
tion ordered back into Tennessee by 
the Captain of the outlaws who had 
laughed at your power of protection, 
your own chartered boundaries to 
scorn. People of Tennessee, will you 
bear these things? Will you see your 
hospitality thus dishonored? Will you 
know that the stranger who comes to 
visit you can not be safe, even in his 
blamelessness, from injury and in- 
sult within your domain? 

People of Georgia, I appeal to you ! 
I came among you as a fellow coun- 
tryman. I came to make myself ac- 
quainted with your history and your 
character and with the numberless 
natural beauties and with the count- 
less riches of your domain. I came 
under the guarantee of the compact 
between the sister states of the Re- 
public, which secures to the citizens 
of each unobstructed communication 
with all. I came relying upon the 
spirit of hospitality which has distin- 
guished the South. I have told you 
how I have been treated. If any mem- 
ber of the Republic has been especially 
remarkable for her resistance to the in- 
trusion of one state upon the rights 
of another, it is Georgia. How, then, 
can I believe that she will uphold her 
officers, who have in the most glar- 
ing and the coarsest manner been 
guilty of such an intrusion? I do not, 
therefore, identify the state with the 
wrongs. I can not again enter the 
state until the people do the justice 
to tell me that I have judged them 
fairly in believing they feel themselves 
insulted by the insults which have 
been heaped in their name upon a 
neighboring power and upon the con- 
stitution, our common protector^in 
the person of a stranger, a country- 
man, a friend. 

My fellow citizens throughout my 
native land! To all of you alike I 
appeal, for there is not one in our 
Republic to whom this case is not of 
vital impoi-t. It is not a party, but 
a universal question, and I doubt not 



but that the Chief Magistrate of the 
Republic, whose government has been 
prophaned by being made by subal- 
terns to seem the source of the wrong, 
will be foremost in declaring this 
eJiormity. Insulting inquisitions, dom- 
iciliary visits, midnight intrusions into 
the sanctuary of homes, seizure by 
armed men of private papers, the im- 
prisonment and secreting of citizens, 
without the disclosure either of the 
charge or the accuser, contempt of the 
boundaries of the states, mockery of 
the hallowed privileges of the consti- 
tution — all these the worst deeds of 
the basest despotism have been per- 
petuated already in the instance now 
before you, and if you do not rise like 
men and declare such things shall not 
be suffered, not a citizen among you 
can say he sleeps in safety! 

This is no idle declamation. It has 
happened to me and it may happen to 
any one of you. The Rubicon has 
been passed. But think of me, think 
of yourselves, think of those most dear 
to you, to whom you would bequeath 
the freedom you inherited. Not for 
personal chagrin, but for the honor 
of our country I will tell you, and oh ! 
let not posterity echo the assertion 
as a prophecy, if tamely you look on 
and see these things, unmoved! I care 
not for proscriptions nor for bayonets; 
neither the Guards of Georgia nor the 
denunciations of reckless and wily and 
insidious hirelings shall frighten me 
into silence; for I will tell you and 
with my last breath, if tamely you 
behold these things you are only slaves 
— heartless, abject slaves, and un- 
worthy of the immortal ancestors who 
bravely fought and nobly died to make 
their country free. But for this, I am 
satisfied, you will give no cause. The 
spirit of your fathers is not dead with- 
in you. My country will not see even 
the humblest of her sons oppressed. 
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE. 

Saturday, November, 1835.* 



*Evidently Nov. 2S. Since he was released 
Friday, Nov. 20, he could not have reached 
Knoxville, 125 miles, in less than four days. 
Payne was born June 8, 1792, at 33 Pearl St., 
New York, N. Y., and died at 60 years of age 
Apr. 10, 1852, while serving as United States 
consul at Tunis, Morocco. He lay buried there 
until W. W. Corcoran, of Washington, D. C, 
brought his body back to his native land late 
in March, 1883, and reinterred it in George- 
town, a suburb of Washington. He corre- 
sponded with such literary lights as Washing- 
ton Irving (who also died a bachelor), Samuel 
Tavlor Coleridge and Chas. Lamb, and roomed 
with Irving in Paris for a while. 



CHAPTER IV 
Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 



T 



at Washington 



liE arrest of Payne and 
Ross stirred up a "hornet's 
nest" in Georgia and Ten- 
nessee and to a less extent 
and throughout 
the country. Governor William 
Schley had just come into of- 
fice at Milledgeville as the suc- 
cessor of Wilson Lumpkin, and 
he was bombarded with protests. 
President Jackson was bombard- 
ed at Washington. A volunteer 
force of soldiers was organized in 
Tennessee to patrol "the l:)order" 
and keep the rambunctious Geor- 
gians on their "own side." Con- 
gress and the Georgia Legislature 
prepared to review the case. The 
Georgia Guard began to "spew 
out." 

Major Currey explained to Presi- 
dent Jackson through Elbert Her- 
ring', commissioner of Indian Af- 
fairs, and called Payne a prevari- 
cator. He was supposed to have 
ordered the arrest, or at least to 
have inspired it. Some said the 
order came from Milledgeville. 
Schermerhorn contended that he 
was at Tuscaloosa, Ala., when -he 
heard the news ; had nothing to do 
with it, but would have had Payne 
arrested had he known of his de- 
signs. 

Two Indians from near Rome 
figured in the aft'air. Payne's ac- 
count mentions that one of them 
hung himself in the guard house at 
Spring Place, which became his 
own "home" for nearly a fortnight. 
Combatting Payne's statement that 
the Indian was driven to despera- 
tion by the Georgia Guard, Major 
Currey offered this explanation : 

*The Howling Wolf was of the Chickamauga 
District, which included part of Rome. He was 
no doubt identical with Crying Wolf. Robbin 
was a member of Challocgee district, which in- 
cluded half of Floyd County. Both attended the 
Running Waters council in July, and Robbin 
voted with the faction led by Ridge. 



The Howling Wolf, charged with 
stabbing an Indian for supporting the 
treaty, and Lowny, or Robbin, charged 
with killing and robbing a white man, 
were being held at Spring Place. An 
old ms.n named Trigg was arrested 
and confined with the Indians; he 
told them their own people would shoot 
them through the cracks of the cala- 
boose in the early morning. Lowny, 
or Robbin, tried to persuade the Howl- 
ing Wolf that they should hang them- 
selves. The latter refused, but the 
former committed suicide by hanging 
from a rafter with a small cord that 
had been tied loosely to his arms.'"' 

The occurrence was well calcu- 
lated to inflame public opinion. 
John Ross knew this, and he tact- 
fully refrained from rushing into 
the discussion. Theodore Freling- 
huysen, Edward Everett, Jas. K. 
Polk, Jno. C. Calhoun, Sam Hous- 
ton, John Bell, Hugh Lawson 
White and other leading friends 
of the Indians took up the cudgels 
at Washington. Mr. Bell, who be- 
came the candidate of the Constitu- 
tional Union party for President 
in 1860 (with Mr.' Everett in the 
minor position) undertook to 
bring about a Congressional in- 
vestigation. 

The Georgia Journal, of Mil- 
ledgeville, a consistent opponent of 
Gov. Lumpkin and his "strong-arm 
gang," printed the following pro- 
test under date of Tuesday, Nov. 
24, 1835 : 

A rumor reached us sometime since 
of another outrage committed by the 
Georgia Guard. It was vague and 
uncertain, however, and as we did not 
wish to array in the catalogue of vio- 
lations of law committed by this arm- 
ed force a single outrage that was not 
stated on good authority, we hesitated 
to give it publicity. This rumor has 
proved true. 

It seems that this Guard, under the 
command of one of the subalterns, 
crossed the line of the State and kid- 
napped from the State of Tennessee 
John Ross, the principal chief of the 



76 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 








A FEW THINGS THE INDIANS LEFT BEHIND. 

Here is part of Wesley O. Connor's collection of relics at Cave Spring. These articles 
Yol? """/^io ""'^o^^?'^^ on the Moultrie farm, Foster's Bend, Coosa River, in the freshets of 
1881 and 1886. Included among the more obvious articles are a bone necklace, Indian money, 
spear pomts and arrow heads, pipes, pestles and bits of pottery. The skulls are undoubtedly- 
Indian. ' 



Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 



77 



Cherokees. They also arrested John 
Howard Payne, a gentleman of great 
celebrity in the literary world. 

The pitiful reason urged to palliate 
this gross enormity seems to have been 
that Mr. Payne "was conspiring 
against the welfare of Georgia." Mr. 
Payne's real offense, in the eyes of 
these vandals, was his copying certain 
documents relative to the manners and 
customs of the Indian tribes, which 
their wiseacre of a leader construed to 
be high treason against the State. 

It was indeed time that this scourge 
to the peaceful citizens of Murray 
County was removed ; it is high time 
the military rule and despotism was 
made to give place to the authority of 
the laws. We should like to inquire 
of the Governor by what legal author- 
ity these arrests were made, and why 
on the receipt of information orders 
were not immediately given for the re- 
lease of the prisoners? 

The officious members of this armed 
force ought to be made to smart in 
damages; an action on the case for il- 
legal arrest and false imprisonment 
will clearly be made against them.* 

John H. Underwood, Rome gro- 
cer, who was a member of the 
Guard in the arrest, did not give 
any interviews to newspaper ed- 
itors, so all he observed is lost save 
wdiat little he told Bill Arp, which 
is to be found elsewhere herein. 
But a number of others "writ upon 
time's immortal scroll." 

Thatcher T. Payne, a brother of 
John Howard, penned the follow- 
ing letter : 

**New York, N. Y., Nov. 27, 1835. 
Hon. Lewis Cass, 
Secretary of War, 
Washington, D. C. 

Sir: I have just received informa- 
tion that my brother, John Howard 
Payne, on the night of the 10th of 
November,*** inst., while in company 
with John Ross, the Cherokee chief, at 
his dwelling in the Cherokee nation, 

*Payne's effort to have something definite done 
at Washington failed, and in a letter from 
New York to Gen. Harden at Athens in 1836, he 
said he would try to proceed against Col. Bishop, 
Major Currey and Sergt. Wilson Young. 

** Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (1835), ps. 488-9. 

***John Howard's own statement says it was 
Saturday, Nov. 7, near midnight. 

****The brother estimated 24 miles. Blue 
Spring, Bradley County, Tenn., where the ar- 
rest took place, is eight miles north of the 
Georgia line, and about 40 miles from Spring 
Place as one would travel by horseback in 1835. 



was seized by a party of about 25 of 
the Georgia Guard, and conducted by 
them to their headquarters, at about 
20**** miles distant from the place of 
seizure, where, as I am informed, he 
is now imprisoned. 

Mr. Payne's general object, in a 
tour through the western and south- 
ern states, has been partly to obtain 
subscribers to a periodical work in 
which English and American writers 
may meet upon equal ground, and 
partly to collect such materials for his 
own contributions to the work as a 
personal acquaintance with the various 
peculiarities of our diversified country 
may supply. To one acquainted with 
his pacific disposition and exclusive 
literary habits, the supposition of his 
entertaining any views politically dan- 
gerous, either in reference to Georgia 
or the United States in their respec- 
tive relations to the Cherokees if it were 
not accompanied with results pain- 
ful and perhaps perilous to himself, 
would seem ludicrous. My informant, 
a stranger, states that "it is there re- 
ported that he is considered by the of- 
ficers of Government to be a spy." 
Whether by officers of Government is 
meant those of Georgia or of the Unit- 
ed States I am not informed. He like- 
wise states that "Mr. Payne is sup- 
posed to have had some influence in 
producing the failure of a late treaty 
with the Cherokees." 

In the present excited state of feel- 
ing in that section of the country, on 
subjects connected with the Indian re- 
moval, there may, perhaps, be serious 
danger to the personal safety of one 
coming under suspicions of the char- 
acter above alluded to, however 
groundless. 

I take the liberty, I hope not un- 
warrantable, to request and urge a 
speedy inquiry into the circumstances 
of the case, and the use of the means 
within the province of your depart- 
ment of the Government to procure his 
release, if, as will undoubtedly ap- 
pear upon investigation, he shall be 
found to have been wrongfully de- 
tained. 

I am, with great respect, your obe- 
dient servant, 

THATCHER T. PAYNE. 

Payne himself was making quill 
and ink fly, to such an extent that 
Col. Bishop resigned his commis- 
sion in December. Soon thereafter 
the Standard of Union threw Bish- 
op this bouquet : 



78 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Col. Bishop at Home. — After all the 
abuse that has been heaped upon Col. 
Bishop as a man and a public officer, 
the people of Murray have given an 
additional proof of their confidence in 
his capacity and integi-ity to serve 
them. From the returns of the elec- 
tion in that county on the first Mon- 
day in January last (1836), Col. Wm. 
N. Bishop received for the office of 
clerk of the superior court 158 votes, 
and his opponent 12. We are sincere- 
ly gi'atified at the support which Col. 
Bishop has I'eceived from his country- 
men, and hold it as the highest evi- 
dence of his value as a private citizen 
and a public officer. Well done, Mur- 
ray County; you know you are right 
— go ahead! 

As for Georgia, "Never again !" 
exclaimed the outraged playwright 
and budding historian in a letter 
of Dec. 5 from Knoxville to Gen. 
Harden :* 

My Dear Sir: You have no doubt 
ere this heard of my adventures. I 
sent you the statement by last post. 
Have you ever known of a more im- 
pudent enormity? There has been a 
public meeting here, spirited and dig- 
nified. The proceedings will, I hope, 
be printed at Athens. This example 
ought to be followed throughout the 
Union; I hope especially, for these 
measures offer the only opportunity he 
has of casting the blame upon the de- 
linquents who deserve it. 

I have no time to write now, but 
could not allow myself to depart on 
my way homeward without a card of 
remembrance. It will perhaps be as 
well for me not to make my line of 
march generally known, but I want to 
go to Hamburg** because my trunks 
are all in Augusta, Ga. I shall never 
enter again without a formal public 
invitation. I will go to the border and 
look in.*** 

It would give me sincere pleasure to 
find a line from you at the Augusta 
postoffice. 

Mr. Ross and many of the delega- 
tion are here. Many have made for- 
mal protest against their mission from 
Currey, but of this they take no heed. 

Mj way must be made alone and on 
horseback. I should not wonder if 
these scoundrels made my journey a 
longpi one than I have intended. But 
no matter if the worst happens — I shall 
not be the first who has not lived out 
his time in a free country, and unless 



the nation awakens, shall not be the 
last! 

Pray offer my best remembrances 
to Mrs. Harden, your daughter, son, 
to Col. Hamilton and family, to Judge 
Clayton, in short, to all. 

From Knoxville, Dec. 2, Payne 
had written S. L. Fairchild, of Phil- 
adelphia, Pa. :**** 

(Private.) 
Dear Fairchild : 

I write to you in great haste, and 
enclose the statement of a great wrong 
I have suffered. I wish you to exert 
your talent on this affair, not because 
I have been personally insulted, but 
because it is only by a strong expres- 
sion of feeling that any man's liberty 
can be secured. There is no freedom 
in America if these things can be tol- 
erated. 

If I reach Charleston, S. C. in 
safety, I shall be there just in time 
to have your answer, provided you 
wish further information. At any rate, 
it will afford me sincere pleasure to 
hear of you and your fortunes. 

With regards to all at home, and 
believe me, most truly yours, 

JOHN HOWARD PAYNE. 

In a communication from Wash- 
ington on Mar. 3, 1836, to Secre- 
tary of War Lewis Cass, Mr. 
Schermerhorn commented as fol- 
lows on the Payne-Ross af- 

Permit me also to make a few ob- 
servations in reference to the arrest 
of Messrs. John Howard Payne and 
John Ross by the Georgia Guard, 
which, I perceive from the public pa- 
pers, they charge or insinuate was 
done by the direction of the commis- 
sioner and agent of the Government. 

Although the statements of Mr. 
Payne in reference to myself were ex- 
ceedingly unjust and incorrect, I could 
not condescend to a newspaper con- 

*Courtesy of Miss Evflyn Harden Jackson, 
of Harden Home, Athens, a cousin of Miss Mary 
Harden and author of an interesting booklet on 
the love affair between the college beauty and 
Mr. Payne. 

** Hamburg, Aiken County, S. C, across the 
Savannah river from Augusta. 

***Miss Jackson is authority for the state- 
ment that Payne came back in 1842 to Athens 
to "re-press his suit," but that he had no bet- 
ter success than before. 

****Courtesy of Mr. G. H. Buek, vice-presi- 
dent of the American Lithographic Co., New 
York, N. Y., and owner of the old Payne home 
(and collection) at Easthampton, Long Island. 

*****Report of Secretary of War on Chero- 
kee Treaty (1835), p. .538. 



Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 



79 



troversy with him; therefore, I have 
passed it by in silence; but lest my 
silence should be interpreted by some 
of the members of the Senate, as I 
find it has been by some others, as 
a tacit acknowledgement of the truth 
of his statement, I now say that I 
had no knowledge or agency, directly 
or indirectly, in this matter. 

The first information I received on 
this subject was through the Geor- 
gia newspapers, while I was at Tusca- 
loosa, Ala.; and immediately on hear- 
ing it I left there, to use my best en- 
deavors to obtain their release, and I 
arrived at the agency only a few days 
after Mr. Payne had been liberated. 
It was owing to my interference that 
Mr. Ross was not taken by the Geor- 
gia Guard last July,* for some vio- 
lations of the laws of that State. 

I must, however, say that it is evi- 
dent from Mr. Payne's own state- 
ments, which he has given to the pub- 
lic, that he did interfere at Red Clay 
in a very improper and unwarrantable 
manner with the negotiations then 
pending between the Government and 
the Cherokee Indians, and I should 
have been perfectly justifiable to have 
had him arrested and removed from 
the treaty ground; and if I had known 
what he has since disclosed of the part 
he acted there, I should have done it. 

A Legislative committee severe- 
ly scored the Guard :** 

The committee to whom were refer- 
red the several communications of His 
Excellency, the Governor, on the sub- 
ject of the establishment of the Geor- 
gia Guard in the Cherokee Circuit, 
have had the same under considera- 
tion, and beg leave to make the follow- 
ing report: 

. . . Your Committee beg to proceed 
now to the further discharge of their 
duty, by enquiring, first, as to the con- 
duct of the Guard in the recent arrest 
and detention of John Howard Payne. 
. . . Your Committee greatly regret 
that they have not all the facts in 
such a shape that implicit credit might 
be given to them. They are compell- 
ed then, in the investigation of this 
branch of the subject, to discard all 
the contradictory statements found in 
newspapers, and to decide only from 
such facts as have been legitimately 
brought before them, in the commu- 
nications of the Governor. 

It is, however, admitted on all hands 



*Concurrently with the pow-wow near Rome. 
**House Journal (1835), ps. 427-433. 



that the recent arrest of Mr. Payne 
was made in the State of Tennessee. 
Your Committee conceives that the 
Guard transcended their power in 
crossing the line of the State of Geor- 
gia to arrest an individual out of the 
limits of this State. And your Com- 
mittee believes that it was an act of 
which the sovereign State of Tennes- 
see has just right of complaint against 
the authorities of Georgia. The only 
testimony before your Committee rel- 
ative to the arrest of Mr. Payne will 
be found in the communication of His 
Excellency, William Schley, of the 10th 
instant. ... It appears then to your 
Committee that the Georgia Guard, in 
the recent arrest of John Howard 
Payne, trampled under foot the Con- 
stitution of the United States. . . . How 
long he was kept under guard before 
the arrival of Col. Bishop at Spring 
Place your Committee are uninform- 
ed. . . . But the commander of the 
Guard says, after examining his pa- 
pers, and finding him guilty of no 
offense for which he was answerable 
in our courts, I, the commander of the 
Guard, kept him in custody a few days 
and then discharged him. 

Your Committee would ask with 
feelings of mortification, why he was 
kept in custody one minute beyond the 
time when it was ascertained he had 
committed no offense. Was it to pun- 
ish him for his indiscreet statements 
in relation to the Georgia Guard? Per- 
haps so. But in so doing the Guard 
have violated every principle of the 
Constitution, which guarantees liberty 
and equal rights to the citizens of 
this country. They have jeopardized 
the character and reputation of the 
state of Georgia abroad, by this act 
of wanton and uncalled for vandalism, 
and will bring down upon the people 
of the State the inevitable and odious 
charge of inhospitality and cruelty to 
the stranger. . . . 

Resolved, That the Legislature high- 
ly disapproves of the conduct of the 
Georgia Guard in the recent arrest 
and confinement of John Howard 
Payne in the Cherokee Nation. 

The pro-administration press 
sounded a different note on the in- 
cident. A Nashville Banner view 
proved good enough for the Geor- 
gia Telegraph (Macon) of Thurs- 
day, Dec. 24, 1835, and The Tele- 
graph reprinted it verlxitim : 

Mr. John Howard Payne, who, to- 
gether with John Ross, the Chei'okee 



80 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



chief, was lately seized at the house 
of the latter by the Georgia Guard, has 
availed himself of the occasion to in- 
flict upon the public eight mortal col- 
umns of the dullest, most fatiguing 
narrative it was ever our fortune to 
encounter. A concise statement of the 
principal facts connected with the out- 
rage, if given in about half a column 
of an ordinary newspaper, would have 
been read with interest; but to wade 
through this mass of verbiage merely 
to learn that Messrs. Ross and Payne 
were seized by a party of desperadoes, 
called the Georgia Guard, carried over 
the Georgia line, kept under duress 
for a day or two and then released, 
would be paying quite too much for 
the whistle. 

If Mr. Payne succeeds in making 
his intended "literary periodical" as 
uninteresting as he has this account 
of his capture, it will certainly be a 
remarkable work! 

Governor Lumpkin's explanation 
admitted the illegality of the seiz- 
ure, but gave Payne very much of 
a left-handed vindication :* 

It was while these efforts were mak- 
ing to induce the Cherokees to emi- 
grate that the literary pursuits of the 
celebrated John Howard Payne led 
him to visit the Cherokee people and 
country. He was known to be strong- 
ly opposed to the views of the Gov- 
ernment in regard to Indian emigra- 
tion and this led to his arrest by Col. 
Bishop, the State's agent. The arrest 
was both premature and illegal, but the 
impertinent intermeddling of Payne 
was very unbecoming a stranger, a 




"BIG JOHN" UNDERWOOD. Rome grocer, 
who was one of the Georgia Guard detail 
which arrested Payne. 



gentleman, or an author professedly 
collecting facts for history. He was 
the partisan, if not the agent, of North- 
ern fanatics, whose avocation is to re- 
pent for the sins of everybody except 
themselves. 

The charge made b}^ Payne that 
President Jackson (through his 
agents) had offered Ross a bribe 
stirred Washington as much as the 
arrest itself.** This charge was 
carried in an anonymous commu- 
nication printed by several news- 
papers in the "Pryne Free-Serv- 
ice Syndicate," and is believed to 
have been played up especially by 
the Knoxville Register, wi:h whose 
editor Payne's liaison was com- 
plete.*** The sum and substance 
was that Ross could have had 
$50,000 if he had stood out of the 
way of the Cherokee removal ; a 
Creek chief is said to have offered 
it to him, and to have been ordered 
from the wrathy presence of Ross. 

Here is the anonymous communi- 
cation attribtited to Payne. It was 
undoubtedly written from the Red 
Clay Council ground in Whitfield 
County, one day before the council 
convened with Payne prominently 
present : 

****Cherokee Nation, 
Tennessee Border, 
Sunday, Oct. 11, 1835. 

Sir: I am no politician. Of this 
you are aware. I generally avoid, if 
possible, even thinking upon what are 
called political questions. Their dis- 
cussion is apt forthwith to become 
personal, and instead of eliciting truth, 
to produce brawls. But there are 
points of policy upon which we are 
sometimes forced to think; and when 
we are called upon to detest the Mus- 
sulman for his tyranny over the Greek, 
and to pity the exile from what once 
was Poland, we are at a loss to be- 
lieve that there are scenes passing in 
our free country at this very moment, 

♦Removal of the Cherokee Indians from Geor- 
gia (Lumpkin), Vol. 2, p. 26.5. 

'"♦Authorities: Letter of Apr. 16, 1836, Major 
Currey to Elbert Herring, Commissioner of In- 
dian Affairs, and Exhibit 14 as inclosure of 
same, both included in Report of Secretary of 
War on Cherokee Treaty (1835), ps. 549-590. 

***Payne asserted it was never published, but 
Maj. Currey's report to Jackson claimed The 
Register editor used it anonymously. 

****Exhibit 14 of Currey inclosures. 



Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 



81 



to which both the Turk and the Rus- 
sian might triumphantly appeal, for a 
sanction to the despotism at which all 
have shuddered. Shall I tell you what 
they are? 

In travelling through Georgia I, of 
course, heard frequent mention of the 
Cherokees; but I took little heed of 
what I heard. I considered the Cher- 
okees as they had been represented, 
as but the miserable remnant of a 
broken race, given up to all sorts of 
degradation; and I thought the sooner 
they could be transported beyond the^ 
bounds of civilization, the better for 
the world. Accident, however, brought 
me to some very different views of the 
question. I inquired more thoroughly. 
I determined to judge them with my 
own eyes. I purchased a horse, trav- 
ersed the forests alone and went among 
them. 

Still I was perplexed. I was desir- 
ous of seeing the head men of the na- 
tion; I was particularly desirous of 
seeing John Ross. Some Georgian told 
me I ought not to see him, that he 
was a selfish, and a sordid, and a si- 
lent man, in whom I should take no 
interest, from whom I should obtain 
no information. At one moment I had 
turned aside from my purpose, and 
was proceeding homeward. But I felt 
as if my errand would be a fruitless 
one if I went away. So, little instruct- 
ed, I changed my course, and travelled 
the wilderness for three days to the 
abode of Mr. Ross. 

I found Mr. Ross a different man 
in every respect from what I had heard 
him represented to be. His person is 
of the middle size, rather under than 
over; his age is about five and forty; 
he is mild, intelligent and entirely un- 
affected. I told him my object. He 
received me with cordiality. He said 
he regretted than he had only a log 
cabin of but one room to invite me to, 
but he would make no apologies. If 
I could put up with rough fare, he 
should be glad if I would stay with 
him. 

From a visitor I afterwards learn- 



* Fourth Ward, site of Rome. 

**Lavender or Alto. 

***About 10 o'clock, according to Ross. 

****Silas and Geo. W. Ross were undoubtedly 
born at Rome, and an infant died there and 
was buried on the lot, as was Daniel Ross, 
father of John. 

*****Land Lot 237, Twenty-third, District 
Third Section (160 acres) was drawn by Hugh 
Brown, of Deavour's District, Habersham Co., 
Ga. The office of the Secretary of State, the 
Capitol, Atlanta, has the date Nov. 11, 1835. 
Most of the lottery drawings were held in Oc- 
tober, 1832. Land lot 244 was drawn by 
Stephen Carter, of Robinson's District, Fayette 
County. (The Cherokee Land Lottery, p. 288). 



ed how the principal chief happened to 
live in such discomfort. The story con- 
tains the story at this moment of the 
whole nation. Last winter he was 
delegated with others to Washington, 
in order to attempt a treaty upon 
available terms — such terms as his 
people would accept. He could not 
obtain such. It was evening when he 
had arrived, on his returning way, 
within twenty miles of the dwelling he 
had left, then a beautiful abode at the 
head of Coosa*, upon a rising ground, 
overlooking a luxuriant plain below, 
and rivers running through it, and in 
the distance a noble mountain.** A 
friend desired him to remain all night. 
No, he was approaching home after a 
long absence; he was impatient to see 
his family. He hurried on. In the 
dead of night*** he aroused the house; 
strange voices answered him. His fam- 
ily had just been turned from the spot 
where his children were cradled.**** 
and it was occupied by a Georgian. 
The land was drawn in the Georgia 
lottery,***** and though not claim- 
able until the Indians should be remov- 
ed by treaty, was seized in his absence 
to petition Congress for his country — 
seized under the delusion of that way- 
ward and selfish policy which has led 
Georgia to defy the General Govern- 
ment and all its solemn pledges to pro- 
tect the Indians and vindicate its 
honor, in not swerving from its treat- 
ies. 

It was this hard conduct which had 
driven the principal chief to one of 
the humblest dwellings in his nation. 
But he made no complaint, even after 
I had grown familiar with him. I 
learned this wrong from other lips. 

Some of your readers may have 
glanced, but lightly, as I did, at the 
real position of the Cherokee case. 
Though so often and so eloquently 
stated, I will recapitulate it in brief; 
disputes between the General Govern- 
ment and Georgia were a long time ago 
compromised by an arrangement for 
certain advantages for Georgia, in re- 
turn for advantages given by her to 
the General Government; and as a part 
of the compensation from the Govern- 
ment, Georgia was to receive the 
Cherokee lands, as soon as the Indian 
title could be peaceably extinguished, 
and upon reasonable terms. But the 
Cherokees are pi-overbial, and have 
been so for ages, for a peculiar devot- 
edness to their native soil. 

"The Cherokees, in their disposition 
and manners, are grave and steady; 
dignified and circumspect in their de- 



82 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



portment; rather slow and reserved in 
tlieir conversation, yet frank, cheerful 
and humane; "tenacious of the liber- 
ties and natural rights of man; secret, 
deliberate and determined in their 
councils; honest, just and liberal, and 
ready always to sacrifice every pleas- 
ure and gratification, even their blood 
and life itself, to defend their terri- 
tory and maintain their rights." — Bar- 
ham's* Travels, 1791, London Edi- 
tion, Page 483. 

"It may be remarked that the Cher- 
okees differ in some respects from 
other Indian nations that have wan- 
dered from place to place and fixed 
their habitations in separate districts. 
From time immemorial they have had 
possession of the same territory, which 
at present they occupy. They affirm 
that their forefathers sprung from 
that ground, or descended from the 
clouds upon those hills. These lands 
of their ancestors they value above all 
things in the world; they venerate the 
places where their bones lie interred, 
and esteem it disgraceful in the high- 
est degree to relinquish these sacred 
repositories. The man who would re- 
fuse to take the field in defense of 
these hereditary possessions is regard- 
ed by them as a coward and treated 
as an outcast from their nation." — 
Historical account of the rise and 
progress of South Carolina and Geor- 
gia, Vol. II, 201, London, 1777. 

This was known to the Georgians. 
This has been felt by the General Gov- 
ernment in the extreme difficulty 
which it has experienced in the at- 
tempt to persuade the Cherokees to 
part with their lands. Millions after 
millions of acres were reluctantly 
wrung from them, until at length 
they came to a pause: "We have not 
lands enough," exclaimed they, "for 
ourselves; we part with no more land!" 
A Creek chief endeavored to tamper 
with their councils and offered a 
bribe from the United States of many 
thousand dollars to their principal men, 
if they would countenance the sale of 
the country to our Government; but 
their principal men repelled the bribe, 
and drove the Creek from their terri- 
tory with scorn. 

Threats and gold and persecution 
and sufferings unprecedented have 
been equally incapable of overpower- 
ing their sacred love for the wild 
wood of their bii-th and the resting 
place of their ancestors. Other Indians 
have been lured away, but the Chero- 
kee remains inflexible. And when the 
Georgian asks, "Shall savages infest 



our borders thus?" the Cherokee an- 
swers him, "Do we not read; have we 
not schools, churches, manufactures; 
have we not laws, letters, a constitu- 
tion; and do you call us savages?" 

The Georgian can only reply by 
pointing to a troop of border cavalry 
whose appearance reminds one of ban- 
ditti more than of soldiers, and ex- 
claiming "dare prate to us and these 
men's muskets shall be our spokes- 



men 



!" 



And true enough it is that they are 
not savages. Never has a tribe of the 
aborigines made such advances in civ- 
ilization. They have even produced 
among themselves an alphabet and let- 
ters of a fashion entirely original, and 
they have books among them printed 
with their own letters in their own 
language, and with this alphabet they 
daily communicate from one end of 
the nation to the other; they clothe 
themselves in stuffs of their own man- 
ufacture; they have made roads, 
bridges, established a seat of Govern- 
ment. But Georgia has hated them 
the more because of their civilization ; 
she has made it treason for them to 
keep up their courts and councils and 
laws; she has broken down their turn- 
pikes and bridges, and denies them the 
right of appearing to testify in her 
courts against any insult or injury 
they may receive. They have conse- 
fiuently removed their seat of internal 
government beyond her borders to the 
corner of another State,** and the de- 
crees issued thence are obeyed with rev- 
erence even by the offender, who 
knows if he were to resist, he would be 
upheld by the stronger power, to which 
he never will appeal, because he re- 
gards it as the irreconcilable foe of 
his country. 

This state of things has convinced 
all parties of the necessity for a set- 
tlement of the question, by the re- 
moval of the Cherokees from the neigh- 
borhood of those whose interests will 
not let them understand the Cherokee 
rights. The Cherokees themselves at 
length acknowledge that it is better 
for them to remove. "But let us not 
remove," say they, "till we can be 
assured of a kindlier dwelling place. 
The Government of America has given 
us no reason to confide in its power 
to protect us against Georgia, and 
therefore, we must remove, for if we 
do not, we must perish. If we do re- 



*Barti'am's. 

** Reference is to 
after New Echota 
happened to be. 



Tennessee, but the capital 
was wherever John Ross 



Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 



83 



move, then let us remove not only 
from the country where we are 
wronged, but from the Government 
where we can not get our rights." 

The United States, on the other 
hand, wish the Cherokees to go to a 
country of their selection; they wish 
the Cherokees to sell their own coun- 
try (in which the United States are 
solemnly pledged to protect them, un- 
til they choose to select) upon such 
terms as the United States think fit 
to offer. 

"Take our price for your land," says 
Gen. Jackson, "and I will not insist 
on governing you; buy another coun- 
try with it." "We can not buy an- 
other country and be indemnified for 
our own by what you offer," says 
the Cherokee; "give us our price and 
you may have our land, if we must 
go; but we do not wish to go; no 
money can pay us for our homes." 
"You ask too much," answers Gen. 
Jackson; "you can not have your 
price." "Then let us remain," replies 
the Cherokee; "keep your money, and 
give us your protection; take all the 
rest of the land we have, and leave 
us such portions as are connected, 
and incorporate us in counties with 
the states on which these poor frag- 
ments, which we ask to retain for our- 
selves, border; and let us belong to 
your nation, and send our representa- 
tives, like other countries, to Congress; 
and satisfy Georgia as you may for 
her disappointment, from the impos- 
sibility you find of purchasing all our 
land from us, on such terms as we can 
sell it for. Georgia has no fathers, 
mothers, children buried in the land. 
She has never seen it. She has no na- 
tion to establish. She would rather have 
money than the land. You can not 
give her the land. Give her the money." 
To this Gen. Jackson answers with a 
peremptory "No!" 

What is the next step taken? The 
agents of Government tamper sepa- 
rately with the Indians. They get to- 
gether a few unauthorized Cherokees ; 
make up a scheme of a treaty upon 
their own terms, and endeavor to in- 
veigle the men who possess the entire 
confidence of the nation: First, they 
withhold the annuity to the nation on 
frivolous pretexts, thus taking away 
their only resource for defiance in the 
courts of law, and for remonstrance 
in the House of Congress. A party 
is attempted to be conjured up in the 

*At Running Waters, near Rome. 
♦♦Reference to Mr. Schermerhorn's harrangue 
at Running Waters. 



nation by the acts of the Government 
agents; and twice attempts have been 
made to parade that little and reluc- 
tantly gathering party, and on both 
occasions the people, the great body of 
the people, have looked them down; 
on the last, especially, not three months 
since, when they poured their thou- 
sands upon a plain, upon which the 
agents of Government, with all the 
magic of their promises and their pat- 
ronage, could bring against them 
scarcely more than a miserable hun- 
dred.* 

The immediate position of the na- 
tion is this: The Government treaty 
has been exhibited to the Cherokees, 
and rejected. It has been attempted 
to shake their confidence in their prin- 
cipal chief, but in vain. The council 
established a newspaper, and the Gov- 
ernment agents have seized their press, 
avowedly for the purpose of changing 
it to a Government vehicle, for sway- 
ing the people to such a treaty as Gen. 
Jackson longs for. Here at once is an 
acknowledgment how base is the pre- 
tense that the Cherokees ought to be 
dealt with as a separate tribe! Were 
they truly looked upon as savages, 
would any importance be attached to 
their press? Were they not known to 
be much advanced in civilization, would 
the agents of the Administration have 
entered upon the perilous extravagance 
of seizing an instrument over which 
they had no legal power, for selfish and 
corruptive purposes? But the Jackson 
myrmidons have the press; and pos- 
session in law is like power in poli- 
tics — it takes the place of reason and 
of right. 

Then let us leave our Government 
the Cherokee national paper, however 
disreputably obtained, and proceed to 
the next point. Having juggled the 
written power into their hands, the 
agents are now seeking the oral power ; 
they are wandering about with inter- 
preters to talk up their cause. "You 
may speak, if you like," say the In- 
dians, "but must we listen?" "Let us 
speak," is the reply; and the commis- 
sioner rises, and the people walk away 
and leave him to listen to himself.** 
The next measure is force; arrests 
are made upon the most absurb pre- 
texts; influential Indians are seized by 
the Georgia Guard and detained, and 
then set free, no reason being as- 
signed either for the capture or for 
the release. Some laugh and defy 
their fate; some are driven to de- 
spair, for the arrest is so often made 
a punishment that an innocent Indian 



84 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



a few days ago actually hung himself 
in the guard house'-' to escape the 
torture apprehended from the guard. 

But all the Indian hater's hate is 
concentrated against the inflexible 
chief of the Cherokees, John Ross. In- 
timidation has been attempted against 
him to no purpose ; so has seduction. 
He has resisted bribery in every in- 
stance, even in one amounting to $50,- 
000; rather than enrich himself by his 
country's ruin, he will remain poor, 
but honest. The agents insult him; 
still he goes on. The Georgia guard 
watches for a pretext to make him 
prisoner, but the pretext is not to be 
found, and in some cases, where they 
would not be deterred by the fear of 
wrong, they are understood to have 
been held back through the fear of the 
people. It is rumored, however, that 
some attempt of the sort is, even at 
this moment, in contemplation. 

Even the President himself has now 
and then lost his temper because he 
cannot shake Mr. Ross, and has called 
the impoverished and discreet patriot 
of the wilderness "wicked and selfish," 
and has swo n if he does not forego 




JOHN ROSS at age of 65, a few years before 
he died in Washinprton, D. C. (Picture loaned 
by S. W. Ross, Tahlequah, Okla.). 



his policy and do as Andrew Jackson 
bids him, that Andrew Jackson will 
never listen to the Cherokees, but give 
them up to ruin. With internal dis- 
sensions attempted to be fomented by 
the agents of Government, and with 
incessant external attacks from Geor- 
gia, and not only undefended by their 
legitimate protector, the United States, 
but threatened by the Chief Magis- 
trate of those states, the Cherokee na- 
tion now stand alone, moneyless, help- 
less, and almost hopeless, yet without 
a dream of yielding. 

With these clouds around them, in 
their little corner of Tennessee,** to 
which they have been driven from 
Georgia for shelter, their national 
council holds its regular annual con- 
vention tomorrow. I can not imagine 
a spectacle of more moral grandeur 
than the assembly of such a people 
under such circumstances. This morn- 
ing offered the first foretaste of what 
the next week is to present. The 
woods echoed with the trampling of 
many feet; a long and orderly pro- 
cession emerged from among the trees, 
the gorgeous autumnal tints of whose 
departing foliage seemed in sad har- 
mony with the noble spirit now beam- 
ing in this departing race. Most of 
the train was on foot; there were a 
few aged men, and some few women, 
on horseback. The train halted at 
the humble gate of the principal chief; 
he stood ready to receive them. Every- 
thing was noiseless. The party, en- 
tering, loosened the blankets which 
were loosely rolled and flung over 
their backs, and hung them with their 
tin cups and other paraphernalia at- 
tached, upon the fence. 

The chief approached them. They 
formed diagonally in two lines, and 
each, in silence, drew near to give his 
hand. Their dress was neat and pic- 
turesque; all wore turbans, except 
four or five with hats; many of them 
tunics and sashes; many long robes, 
and nearly all some drapery; so that 
they had the oriental air of the old 
scripture pictures of patriarchal pro- 
cessions. 

The salutation over, the old men 
remained near the chief, and the rest 
withdrew to various parts of the en- 
closure; some sitting Turk fashion 
against the trees, others upon logs 

*At Spring Place, where Payne was im- 
prisoned a month later. 

**Red Clay was so near the line, and the line 
30 poorly defined, that the impression was often 
given that it was in Tennessee. Ross had a hut 
there as well as at Blue Spring, eight miles to 
the north. 



Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 



85 



and others upon the fences, but with 
the eyes of all fixed upon their chief. 
They had walked sixty miles since 
yesterday, and had encamped last 
night in the woods. They sought their 
way to the council ground. It was 
explained to them. At one moment 
I observed a sensation among them, 
and all arose and circled around their 
chief. Presently an old man spoke 
above the rest; each one went for his 
pack, and all resumed their way. There 
was a something in the scene which 
would have subdued a sterner spirit 
than mine. All who gazed stood rooted 
to the spot with involuntary awe. 

"Oh!" cried an old negro woman, 
wringing her hands and her eyes 
streaming with tears, "Oh! the poor 
Cherokees, the poor Cherokees; my 
heart breaks and will not let me look 
on them!" 

Parties varying from 30 to 50 have 
been passing the main road, which is 
somewhat distant from the residence 
of Mr. Ross, all day. All seem to con- 
template the approaching meeting as 
one of vital import. I myself, though 
a stranger, partake in the general 
excitement. The first movements, 
which will probably be the most im- 
portant, I will communicate to you; 
perhaps I may find leisure to do morCj 
for I wish our countrymen to under- 
stand this subject.* It becomes us 
as Americans, devoted to our coun- 
try's glory, not to slumber over the 
wrongs of a nation within our power. 
This people does not approach us de- 
nouncing vengeance ; they do not, like 
the ferocious spirits we would repre- 
sent them, avoid lingering extermina- 
tion as exiles in the desert, by spring- 
ing up in a mass, and inscribing them- 
selves with a terrible lesson of blood 
among the illustrious martyrs to in- 
sulted liberty; but in the patient and 
meek spirit of Christians they come 
again, and again, and again, and 
again, imploring humanity, imploring 
justice, imploring that we will be hon- 
est to ourselves. 

Americans, turn not away from such 



*Here is a hint that Payne made arrange- 
ments with certain editors to print his articles. 
**Payne claimed this original article was 
signed "Washington." 

***This is still standing in a good state of 
preservation. It was literally a "House of Trag- 
edies." On Sunday, Nov. 8, 1835, John How- 
ard Payne and John Ross arrived as prisoners 
of the Guard, and occupied an outhouse used to 
quarter troublesome Indians. On Dec. 16, 1836, 
Major Benj. F. Currey, who had been active" 
against Payne and Ross, died in the house of 
Vann or at a nearby house. 



a spectacle; be not deaf to such a 
prayer! 

(No Signature).** 
A true copy : 
Dyer Castor. 

The wilds of Cherokee Georgia 
were getting more and more dan- 
gerous as the whites squatted upon 
the Indian lands. Murders and 
robberies were things of almost 
every-day occurrence. Spencer 
Riley, a sort of constable, formerly 
of Bibb County, then of Cass, had 
an exciting experience in 1835 with 
Col. Wm. N. Bishop and the Geor- 
gia Guard. It seems that Riley had 
a lottery claim on the Vann 
house*** near Spring Place, and 
Bishop sought to dispossess him. 
The Georgia Journal (Milledge- 
ville) of Tuesday, Apr. 7, 1835, 
printed Riley's side of the affair: 

March 11, 1835. 
To the Public: There being many 
erroneous reports concerning the trans- 
action detailed in the following state- 
ment, I have deemed it necessary to 
present to the public a succinct ac- 
count of the facts. I can not for a 
moment believe that this flagitious 
outrage upon the rights of the citi- 
zen under color of the law and under 
pretense of executive sanction can be 
viewed with indifference by my fel- 
low citizens, or approbated by the Gov- 
ernor. The facts are these: 

I became a boarder of Joseph Vann, 
a Cherokee residing near Spring Place, 
in Murray County, in October last, 
and continued to board with him up 
to the 2d March inst., when the out- 
rage hereinafter stated took place. 

On the 23d of February last, Mrs. 
Yann, in the absence of her husband, 
received a written notice to quit the 
possession of the lot, from Wm. N. 
Bishop, one of the agents of the State 
of Georgia, appointed by the Governor 
under the law of 1834. This was done 
without the request of the drawer or 
any person holding or claiming under 
him. It was known that one Kinchin 
W. Hargrove, brother to Z. B. Har- 
grove, had obtained a certificate from 
Wm. N. Bishop with the view of ob- 
taining the grant from Milledgeville, 
in consequence of which the grant is- 
sued some time in February upon his 
application. This lot on which Joseph 
Vann lived is an Indian improvement 



86 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



and his right of occupancy is not for- 
feited by any provision of the laws of 
Georgia. It is known as Lot No. 224, 
9th district and 3d section, and was 
drawn by a Mr. Turley of Warren; 
it contains a spacious two-story brick 
house and many outhouses and is very 
valuable, particularly as a public 
stand. It had been returned as a 
fraudulent draw by Major Bulloch, 
■whose scire facias had obtained pref- 
erence by being first filed. It was 
also returned by Z. B. Hargrove as 
informer in a second scire facias. 

Such was the situation of the lot 
on the 2d of March, when W. N. 
Bishop, as agent and acting under the 
state's authority, summoned some 20 
men and placed in their hands the 
muskets confided to him by the Gov- 
ernor for another purpose, and fur- 
nished them with ammunition, came 
over to Mr. Vann's at the head of 
his guard, resolved to clear the house 
and put his brother, Absalom Bishop, 
in possession, who afterwards opened 
a public house. Some articles of Mr. 
Vann were allowed to remain in the 
house and he was permitted to occupy 
at sufferance a small room. I occu- 
pied a room on the second floor at 
the head of the stairs. This armed 
force was accompanied by one Kinchin 
W. Hargrove, a sort of deputy to 
Bishop. When they approached the 
house, I inquired of W. N. Bishop 
what all of this meant, and stated 
to him that he had given Mrs. Vann 
until Saturday, the 7th, in which to 
move. He replied that Joshua Holden 
was the agent. This man Holden is 
notorious in the upper part of the 
state for his vices and subservience 
to Bishop. Upon receiving this re- 
ply from W. N. Bishop, I inquired 
of Holden if he was the agent for 
the drawer. He replied, "No, I am 
agent for Mr. Hargrove, and have a 
power of attorney from him." Mr. 
Hargrove did not claim to have any 
right or title to the lot as derived 
from or through the drawer. Con- 
vinced as I was that this was all a 
trick to get Vann out of the house, 
and to put him out unlawfully and 
fraudulently, in order to get posses- 
sion for Absalom Bishop, I demanded 
of W. N. Bishop to see the plat and 
grant and his authority for thus act- 
ing. He stated that Holden was seek- 
ing possession, but exhibited no au- 
thority, and there was no agent of the 
drawer or person claiming under him 
seeking possession. 

W. N. Bishop rushed into the house 



with his guard and commanded them 
to present arms. Having some things 
in the room I occupied, I went up to 
take care of them. I heard Bishop 
demand possession of Vann, who an- 
swered that he considered himself 
out of possession from the Monday 
previous. "Where is that damned 
rascal Riley?" inquired Bishop. The 
reply was, "He is in his room." By 
this time I had got to the head of the 
stairs* and called out to Bishop that 
there was no use for any violent meas- 
ures or for bloodshed, for if he would 
acknowledge he had taken forcible 
possession from me, he could throw 
my things out of doors. His reply 
was, "Hear that damned rascal; pre- 
sent arms and march upstairs, and the 
first man that gets a glimpse of him, 
shoot him down." Upon hearing these 
orders given to his guard, I thought 
it high time to defend myself as best 
I could, and exclaimed, "The first 
man that advances to obey Bishop's 
orders I will kill!" 

One man named Winters, an itiner- 
ant carpenter, advanced upstairs with 
a loaded musket, and his valiant com- 
mander behind him. As soon as they 
saw me they fired upon me and fell 
back; I then fired, too. Their shot 
slightly wounded me in my hand and 
arms, and immediately after, ten or 
twelve muskets were fired at me, but 
being protected by the stairs, the shots 
did not take effect. I being out of 
sight, they aimed at the spot where 
they supposed I was and shot the ban- 
isters to pieces. I then presented a 
gun in sight to deter their further ap- 
proach, and prevent if possible the ac- 
complishment of their murderous de- 
sign. Then a rifle was fired by Ab- 
salom Bishop ; the ball struck my gun 
and split, one part of it striking me 
glancingly on my forehead just above 
my right eye, and fragments of it 
wounding me on several other places 
on my face. I desired them to bear 
witness to who shot that rifle, for I 
had been severely wounded. Wm. N. 
Bishop called out tauntingly, "The 
State of Georgia shot the guns!" 
After I was thus wounded and bleed- 
ing freely, I opened the door of the 
room and called out to them that I 
was severely wounded, and they could 
come and take my arms. As soon as 
I showed myself, several more mus- 
kets were fired on me. One shot struck 
me on the left cheek, another wound- 
ed me severely on the head and one 

*A curious, winding architectural contraption 
with no visible support. 



Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 



87 



■went through the door over my head. 
During this extraordinary outrage, 
W. N. Bishop was heard frequently 
exclaiming, "Kill the damned rascal ; 
we've got no use for nullifiers in 
this country!" and K. W. Hargrove 
also often exclaimed I should come 
down dead or alive. W. N. Bishop 
procured a flaming firebrand and 
threw it upon the platform of the 
stairs, exclaiming that he would burn 
him out or burn him up. After the 
fire had made some progress, and 
probably recollecting that if the house 
was destroyed, Absalom Bishop would 
have no house to occupy, Vann was 
requested to go up and extinguish the 
fire. 

Being much debilitated by the loss 
of blood, I laid down on the bed. They 
soon after entered my room and seized 
my desk and papers as if I had been 
a malefactor. I desired them to per- 
mit me to put up my papers in my 
secretary and to lock it. Hargrove 
replied, "Let him put what he pleases 
in the desk, but don't let him take 
anything out." I had $10 in money 
in the desk. After I had locked it, 
they took the keys from me and the 
desk also, under the pretext that they 
would secure the costs. The money I 
never saw afterwards. 

Just before the close of the con- 
flict, Hargrove called out to me and 
asked if I did not know that there 
was an officer who had a warrant 
against me. I answered, no, but if 
such were the case I would submit to 
the laws of my country and surrender 
to the sheriff. Bishop then abused the 
sheriff and cursed him. In a short 
time the sheriff. Col. Humphreys, 
came, and I was asked to show my- 
self, which I no sooner did than sev- 
eral muskets were levelled and fired at 
me, but happily without much injury. 

It afterward appeared that in order 
to give their conduct the semblance 
of law, they had procured this tool of 
Bishop, Holden, to make an affidavit 
to procure a warrant for forcible en- 
try and detainer. Both affidavit and 
warrant, upon being produced, proved 
to be in the handwriting of Z. B. Har- 
grove, and dated first in February, 
but that month was stricken and 2nd 
March inserted. It is believed that 
this notable proceeding was planned in 
Cassville, 4.5 miles off, and given to 
Kinchin W. Hargrove when he went 
up to Spring Place. 

After my surrender to the sheriff, 

*Spring Bank, the country estate of Rev. 
Chas. Wallace Howard. 



I was taken out of his custody, con- 
veyed before a magistrate, also under 
the control of Bishop, charged with 
an assault with intent to murder, and 
immediately ordered off in my wound- 
ed condition, 45 miles, in a severe snow 
storm under a strong guard, my 
wounds undressed, and filched of the 
little change I had in my pockets, and 
lodged in the Cassville jail in the 
dungeon. The guard received their or- 
ders from Bishop and Hargrove not 
to allow me to have any intercourse 
with my friends, and so rigidly were 
these orders observed that when I ar- 
rived at Major Howard's* in the neigh- 
borhood of my family and desired him 
to inform them of my situation, and 
not to be alarmed, the guard threat- 
ened to use their bayonets if I did not 
proceed. Bishop even designated the 
houses at which we were to stop on 
our way. I was placed in a dungeon 
until my friends at Cassville, hearing 
of my situation, relieved me on bail. 

The foregoing statement can be at- 
tested by many respectable witnesses, 
and is substantially correct. The 
transaction has created a great sen- 
sation in Murray County, and must 
have received the unqualified condem- 
nation of every law-abiding citizen. 
SPENCER RILEY. 

In the same issue The Journal 
commented editorially : 

We had flattered ourselves that the 
State had drained the cup of humili- 
ation to the dregs and had suffered 
all it could suffer from violence, fraud, 
proscription and misgovernment. But 
unhappily we were mistaken; low as 
we had sunken, we find that there is 
a point still lower. The letter of 
Spencer Riley, Esq., in this paper dis- 
plays a state of things in a part of 
the' country where the dominant fac- 
tion has had full sway that is abso- 
lutely appalling. 

We have personally known Mr. 
Riley twelve years as a freeholder and 
citizen, as deputy sheriff and 'high 
sheriff of Bibb County, where they 
have had no officer we know of whose 
public services were more generally 
approved. Since then, we understand, 
he has held a commission of the peace 
in Cass County, and his word, we 
think, will hardly be doubted by any 
to whom he is known. His statement 
presents a picture at which the most 
careless and the most thoughtless man 
must pause. It is one of the conse- 
quences of subverting the judicial au- 
thority throughout one whole circuit 
in a new country. 



88 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Finally the toe hold of the Indian 
be£?an to give way. For a decade 
the Indian's had been going west in 
small detachments, under the dip- 
lomatic urge of the Government. At 
the slow rate of moving, it was cal- 
culated that half a century would 
be required to be rid of them all. 
In 1829, the old records show, quite 
a number of Indians enrolled with 
the Government agents to go west, 
received their bounty and then 
failed to go, thinking, perhaps, that 
they might successfully pass 
around the hat again. Many of 
these Indians appeared in 1835 at 
the council at Running Waters and 
voted for the annuity measure 
proposed by John Ross. 

But the patience of Federal and 
State authorities was threadbare. 
If the Indians would emigrate 
peaceably, all well and good ; if 
they balked, bayonets would move 
them. The white man's necessity 
under the program of civic and 




DANIEL ROSS, Scotch father of John Ross. 
He died in DeSoto (Rome) and was there 
buried. 



commercial progress was the red 
man's misfortune. Gen. Winfield 
Scott, of the United States army, 
was selected to gather the Indians 
in stockades. 

Under the pressure from Gov. 
Lumpkin, Major Currey, Mr. 
Schermerhorn and others, 2,000 of 
the Indians prepared to depart by 
Jan. 1, 1837; but the death of Ma- 
jor Currey, Dec. 16, 1836, at Spring 
Place, set the movement back se- 
riously. Hence the general round- 
up did not get under wav until 
May 24, 1838. 

Numerous Indians submitted 
without protest ; many others se- 
creted themselves in the mountains 
and in caves, and were vigorously 
hunted out. A few resisted and 
shot or were shot ; some commit- 
ted suicide rather than leave the 
lands they had learned to love and 
the sacred bones of their departed 
ancestors. 

The Rev. George White tells as 
follows of the removal in his His- 
torical Collections of Georgia (ps. 
152-3) and incidentally, defends the 
troopers who had this unpleasant 
duty to perform : 

Gen. Scott called upon the Governor 
of Georgia for two regiments, to which 
call there was an immediate response. 
On Friday, the 18th of May, 1838, a 
sufficiency of troops had arrived at 
New Echota, the place of rendezvous, 
to organize a regiment and warrant 
the election of officers. On the morn- 
ing of the 24th of May, the regiment 
took up the line of march for the 
purpose of collecting the Indians. Five 
companies, viz. — Capt. Stell's, Dan- 
iel's, Bowman's, Hamilton's, Ellis' 
were destined to Sixes Town, in Cher- 
okee County; two companies, Capt. 
Story's and Capt. Campbell's to Rome; 
Capt. Vincent's to Cedartown; two 
companies, Capt. Horton's and Capt. 
Brewster's, to Fort Gilmer. 

The collecting of the Indians con- 
tinued until the 3rd of June, 1838, 
when they started for Ross' Landing, 
on the Tennessee River, numbering 
about 1,.560, under the immediate 
command of Capt. Stell. They arrived 
at Ross' Landing at 10 o'clock, the 
10th of June. The Georgia troops re- 



Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 



89 



turned, and were afterwards regu- 
larly dismissed from the service of the 
United States. Both regiments were 
commanded by Gen. Chas. Floyd.* 

In small detachments, the army be- 
gan its operations, making prisoners 
of one family after another, and gath- 
ering them into camps. No one has 
ever complained of the manner in 
which the work was performed.** 
Through the good disposition of the 
army and the provident arrangements 
of its commander, less injury was 
done by accidents or mistakes than 
could reasonably have been expected. 
By the end of June, nearly the whole 
nation was gathered into camps, and 
some thousands commenced their 
march for the West, the heat of the 
season preventing any further emigra- 
tion until September, when 14,000 
were on their march. The journey of 
600 or 700 miles was performed in 
four or five months. The best ar- 
rangements were made for their com- 
fort, but from the time — May 24 — - 
v/hen their removal commenced, to the 
time when the last company completed 
its journey, more than 4,000 persons 
sank under their sufferings and died. 

A tragic sequel followed the re- 
moval and the stirring- events pre- 
ceding it. The anti-treaty or Ross 
party of Indians did not Iniry in 
the red hills of Georgia with the 
hallowed dust of their ancestors 
the resentment they felt toward 
the men who had signed away their 
lands. A l)and of several hundred 
Indians took a secret oath to 
kill Major Ridge and his clan 
brother (nephew by blood) Elias 
Boudinot,*** and John Ridge, his 
son. Thev bided their time, and 
June 22, 1839, killed all three. 

Major Ridge was waylaid on the 
road 40 or 50 miles from home, and 
shot. His son was taken from his 
bed earl}^ in the morning and near- 
ly cut to pieces with knives. Air. 
Boudinot was decoyed away from 
a house he had l)een erecting a 
short distance from his residence, 

*The father of Gen. John Floyd, for whom 
Floyd county was named. 

**Numerous complaints are of record today. 
The route has been called "The Trail of Tears." 

***A native of Floyd county. 

****Stand Watie lived at Coosawattie Town, 
and later near Rome. 

*****AssuminK that Ridge was Iwrn in 1771, 
as usually stated, he would have been 68. 



and then set upon with knives and 
hatchets. One version has it that 
Boudinot was a sort of doctor, and 
that several Indians came to him in 
a friendly way and asked him to 
get some medicine for a sick com- 
rade. Thrown off his guard, he 
was an easy prey. 

Mrs. Mabel Washbourne Ander- 
son, of Pryor, Okla., daughter of 
John Rollin Ridge, grand-daughter 
of John Ridge and great-grand- 
daughter of Major Ridge, tells on 
ps. 11-12 of her Life of General 
Stand Watie**** of this shocking 
tragedy : 

A demon spell now enveloped the 
Cherokee country, as is ever the case 
when feuds and factions arise within a 
nation. The members of the former 
Treaty party, headed by Ridge and 
Boudinot, were called traitors by the 
Ross party, and this continued 'accu- 
sation became the platform of strife 
and bloodshed, turbulence and suffer- 
ing for a newly-divided people in a 
new land. Had bitterness and disa- 
greement been forgotten and a united 
effort made toward rebuilding the 
broken fortunes of a broken people, 
the cruel history from 1838 to 1846 
might never have been written. 

If history had preserved for us a 
record of the "Secret Council" of 
the anti-Treaty party, said to have 
been held at Double Springs, near 
Tahlequah, in the spring of 1839, 
much that will forever be a question 
to the searcher for truth would be re- 
vealed. 

Passing hastily over this black page 
of Cherokee history, so closely allied 
with the life of Gen. Watie, it must 
be mentioned that secret police forces 
of 100 men each soon after this coun- 
cil were organized by the Ross party, 
with a commander for each company, 
whose purpose was to extinguish the 
leading men of the Ridge party. And 
the pages of Cherokee history will for- 
ever be shadowed by the atrocious 
tragedy that took place in the assassi- 
nation in one night of Major Ridge, 
an aged man of 75;***** his son, John 
Ridge, and Elias Boudinot, three of 
the most powerful and influential men 
of the Treaty party. The murders of 
these three men, which took place 
within a few hours of each other, were 
most systematically carried out, 
though they were widely separated at 
the time. John Ridge was slain on 



90 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Honey Creek, Cherokee Nation, near 
the Missouri line; Major Ridge was 
slain in the Cherokee Nation near Cin- 
cinnati, Ark.; and Elias Boudinot 
near Park Hill, Cherokee Nation. 

This opened an international wound 
of sorrow and bloodshed for the Cher- 
okee people, extending over a terrible, 
dark period of eight or ten years, and 
whose influence lasted for decades upon 
this nation. Stand Watie, Jack Bell 
and Walter Adair were slated to die 
at this same time, but were absent 
from home the night these foul mur- 
ders were committed. Thereafter they 
were constantly on scout and guard 
against some hidden plot to take their 
lives. A short time after this horrible 
event. Stand Watie organized a mili- 
tary force, stationed at Beattie's 
Prairie, to oppose the Ross police 
force. 

Despite opposition and oppression, 
Watie became after the assassination 
of his kinsmen the most influential 
man and the conceded leader of the 
Ridge party. Among the incidents 
current among his people today of the 
bravery of Stand Watie is one con- 
nected with this terrible tragedy. 
When his brother, Elias Boudinot, lay 
dead in the midst of his foes, Watie 
silently rode up unarmed. The crowd 
of his enemies suddenly drew back, 
making way for this grim horseman. 
Removing the sheet that covered the 
face of his murdered brother, he 
looked down long and earnestly upon 
the still features. Then turning to 
the crowd, he said in a voice that each 
could hear, "I will give $10,000 to 
know the name of the man who struck 
that blow!" 

All who knew Stand Watie were 
aware of his ability to pay this re- 
ward, but not one in that guilty crowd 
answered him, and he rode away as 
fearlessly as he had come, though 
there were fully 100 men in that same 
company who had sworn to take his 
life the night before. 

Thos. Watie and James Starr were 
killed by the Ross party in 1845, but 
the old tradition among the full-blood- 
ed Indians that "No weapon was ever 
made to kill Stand Watie,"" seemed 
verily to fulfil itself, and he success- 
fully passed through the dangerous 
and trying years from 1838 to 1846. 



A PAYNE MEMORIAL.— A patri- 
otic service was performed Saturday 
morning, Oct. 7, 1922, by the Old Guard 
of Atlanta in the unveiling of a hand- 
some marble tablet at Spring Place 



to John Howard Payne. The exercises 
had been planned for Friday, Oct. 6, 
but bad roads delayed the party, trav- 
eling in automobiles, and it was neces- 
sary to postpone the affair a day. The 
speaker of the occasion was Col. Geo. 
M. Napier, attorney general of Geor- 
gia and a member of the Guard. He 
was introduced by Jos. A. McCord, 
commandant of the Guard and Gov- 
ernor of the Federal Reserve Bank in 
Atlanta. Prof. Ernest Neal, school 
superintendent at Chatsworth, Murray 
County, recited his poem, "The Rivers 
of Cherokee Georgia;" the poem will 
be found in the poetry section herein. 

The Payne tablet stands within 200 
yards of the Vann house, at a con- 
spicuous road crossing where it will 
be beheld by thousands of tourists 
yearly. It is of rough gray Elbert 
County granite, mined at a place near 
which Payne journeyed in 1835 on 
horseback from Augusta to inspect the 
natural wonders of Northeast Georgia. 
It is sunk deep in concrete, and a 
concrete platform six feet in radius 
surrounds it. The inscrption follows : 

"John Howard Payne, author of 
'Home, Sweet Home,' suspected as a 
spy of the Cherokee Indians, was im- 
prisoned here in 1835, but released. 
Erected by Old Guard of Atlanta, Oct. 
6, 1922; Jos. A. McCord, command- 
ant." 

The Old Guardsmen were the guests 
of Mr. McCord at his apple orchard 
twelve miles to the north. Prominent 
in their entertainment was the Gov- 
ernor John Milledge Chapter of the 
D. A. R., of Dalton, and Dr. T. W. 
Colvard, at whose estate they enjoyed 
a barbecue. Prior to the exercises they 
inspected the home of Jos. Vann, the 
Indian chief, near which, in a log hut, 
Payne was incarcerated. It is said 
this hut now stands in the park at 
Chatsworth, near the L. & N. railroad 
station, having been removed from 
Spring Place. 

Other Old Guard members who at- 
tended were Robt. A. Broyles, Ossian 
D. Gorman, Jr., Sam Meyer, Jr., H. 
M. Lokey, G. A. Wight, W. E. Han- 
cock, Dr. L. P. Baker, Henry C. Beer- 
man, Fred J. Cooledge, E. H. Good- 
hart, W. M. Camp, Peter F. Clarke, 
W. S. Coleman, W. B. Cummings, Dr. 
Thos. H. Hancock, W. T. Kuhns, Ed- 
mund W. Martin, M. L. Thrower, Jas. 
T. Wright, A. McD. Wilson, G. G. 
Yancey, Jr., and Walter Bennett. 
Others included Jos. A. McCord, Jr., 
Walter Sparks, and J. A. Hall, of De- 
catur, formerly of Calhoun, an author- 
ity on Indian lore. 



CHAPTER V. 
Growth From Village to Town 




|NCE the Indians were out 
of the way and their lands 
thrown open to the white 
settlers, Rome and Floyd 
County began to grow with a vim. 
As early as 1837, according to a 
report from Capt. J. P. Simonton, 
disbursing agent of the Cherokee 
Removal, sent from New Ecliota 
to the Commissioner of Indian Af- 
fairs, and dated Sept. 27, 1837, Col. 
Wm. C. Hardin was president of 
the Western Bank of Georgia, of 
Rome.* Col. Hardin and Andrew 
Miller, agent of the Bank of Geor- 
gia, of Augusta, loaned the Govern- 
ment $25,000, transmitted through 
the Rome bank, toward the re- 
moval of the Cherokees. 

The Western was undoubtedly 
the first bank in Rome, and Col. 
Hardin its first president. It was 
located at the southwest corner of 
Fifth Avenue and East First Street. 
An old $10 bank note shows that 
William Smith was president on 
July 13, 1840, with R. A. Greene 
as cashier. Zachariah B. Hargrove 
had been connected with it prior 
to his death in 1839. The Bank of 
the Empire State, which also got 
into financial difficulties and was 
forced to suspend, was organized 
much later. In 1851 the Rome 
Weekly Courier expressed the hope 
that a bank would soon be formed 
at Rome. 

The first inn was kept by Wil- 
liam Quinn at "Cross Keys," as 
the local neighborhood at the pres- 
ent "Five Points," North Broad 
Street, was then known. A Mrs. 
Washington, descended from 



*Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (1835), p. 995. 

**Destroyed in 1864 by soldiers of the Union 
Army, according to the )ate Mrs. Robt. Battey. 
No reason can be assigned for the destruction 
of this property except that Ross was in bad 
odor with the United States Government at the 
time. 



George, kept the Washington Ho- 
tel. The McEntee House was in 
operation in 1845 when Rev. and 
Mrs. J. M. M. Caldwell stopped 
over in Rome on their way to Sel- 
nia, Ala., where Dr. Caldwell had 
been offered the pastorate of the 
First Presbyterian church. James 
McEntee, the proprietor, and oth- 
ers persuaded the newly-married 
couple to remain in Rome, and 
they taught one of the first schools 
of any pretensions in a part of 
their dwelling, the old John Ross 
House,** in which they had been 
temporarily settled by the owner, 
Col. Alfred Shorter. Aftei" as- 
suming charge of the Rome Fe- 
male College on Eighth Avenue 
in 1856, they taught on East Second 
Street. 

Another early hotel was the 
Choice House, built by John 
Choice, probably prior to 1850. This 
was conducted from 1855 to 1857 
by Wm. Melton Roberts, father of 
Frank Stovall Roberts, of Wash- 
ington, D. C. It was located where 
the Hotel Forrest now stands. For 
several years around 1857 it had 
six colonial columns of white in 
front. 

The Buena Vista, at the south- 
east corner of Broad Street and 
Sixth Avenue, was built in 1843 by 
an Irishman named Thos. Burke, 
who soon got into a serious diffi- 
culty and turned the property over 
to Daniel R. Mitchell as a fee for 
representing him. 

About 1850 Wm. Ketcham was 
proprietor of the Etowah House, 
southeast corner of Broad Street 
and Second Avenue, and in 1863 
the proprietor was Gen. Geo. S. 
Black. 

The Tennessee House was start- 
ed at the end ui the Civil War by 



92 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Jas. A. Stansbury. It stood at the 
northeast corner of Broad Street 
and First Avenue, and later be- 
came the Rome Hotel. 

The first newspaper, according 
to The Weekly Bulletin of Thurs- 
day, Jan. 8, 1876, was the Western 
Georgian, published by Gen. Jas. 
Hemphill and Samuel S. Jack.* It 
was started in 1837, and Mr. Jack 
was the first editor. The location 
was at 602 East First Street, where 
a hand press was installed. This 
was on the spot where Mrs. Naomi 
P. Bale now lives. 

Pisgah Baptist church at Coosa 
is the oldest religious institution 
of its kind in the county. It was 
organized in the spring of 1833 by 
Rev. Hugh Quin and associates. 

The First Presbyterian of Rome 
was founded at Livingston Oct. 
29, 1833, and removed to Rome 
Apr. 17, 1845, by Rev. J. M. M. 
Caldwell. 

The First Baptist is the oldest 




REV. J. M. M. CALDWELL, Presbyterian 
minister and for about 40 years teacher of 
young women at Rome. 



church in Rome, having been 
founded May 16, 1835.** 

The First Methodist was organ- 
ized at Rome in 1840 by Mrs. Sam- 
uel S. Jack, Mrs. James Hammet; 
Mrs. Daniel R. Mitchell, Mrs' 
Jesse Lamberth, Mrs. Samuel 
Stewart and Miss Emily McDow. 
The location was the southwest 
corner of Sixth Avenue and E. Sec- 
ond Street. The circuit of which 
Rome was an appointment in 1836 
extended from Knoxville, Tenn., to 
the Chattahoochee River, and Rev. 
J. B. McFerrin, of Tennessee, stood 
every four months on a stump at 
Fifth Avenue and West First Street 
(now the courthouse property) and 
jjreached to mixed crowds of In- 
dians, negroes and whites.*** On 
one of these occasions Dr. McFer- 
rin converted John Ross, who 
thereafter spread the doctrines of 
Methodism among his tribes- 
men.**** It is considered worthy 
of note in . this connection that 
Sam P. Jones, the Methodist evan- 
gelist, went to preaching 40 years 
later four blocks from this spot 
and two blocks from the Fourth 
Ward home of Ross. 

St. Peter's Episcopal church was 
first located at Fifth Avenue and 
E. First Street, and was establish- 
ed Mar. 31, 1854, by Rev. Thos. 
Fielding Scott, of Alarietta, and 
associates. 

The First Christian church was 
organized Feb. 13, 1896. 

Sardis ^Presbyterian church at 
Livingston and churches in Ridge 
Valley and Vann's Valley (.such as 
the Baptist, the Methodist and the 
Episcopal at Cave Spring) and at 

*Mrs. Naomi P. Bale states that Mr. Jack's 
daughter, Amanda (the first white child born 
in Rome), said it was the Rome Enterprise. 
J. O. Winfrey calls it the Northwest Georgian, 
and says Miles Corbin was associated with Mr. 
Jack. Mr. Jack's father was a soldier in the 
American Revolution. 

**According to Acts, 1837, p. 48. the trustees 
of the corporation on Dec. 2.5, 18,37, were Wes- 
ley Shropshire, Elijah Lumpkin, Jobe Rogers, 
Thos. W. Burton and Alford B. Reece. 

***Directory, First Methodist Church, His- 
torical sketch by Mrs. Naomi P. Bale, 1918. 

****Authority : Belle K. Abbott in The At- 
lanta Constitution, 1889. 



Growth from Village to Town 



93 



Arniuchee, Chulio, Everett Springs 
and the other pioneer districts of 
the county are also very old. Some 
folks say Sardis Presbyterian is 
older than Pisgah Baptist ; others 
say it ain't. 

The Episcopal church at Cave 
Spring-, by the way, was built 
through the generosity of Francis 
S. Bartow and his parents, Dr. and 
Mrs. Theodosius Bartow, of Sa- 
vannah, who maintained a summer 
home there a number of years be- 
fore 1860. The land for this church 
was given by ]\Iaj. Armistead Rich- 
ardson. 

The Baptist church of Cave 
Spring stands on the Hearn Acad- 
emy campus. The brick it contains, 
still in a fine state of preservation, 
were made of Floyd County clay 
by the slaves of Maj. Armistead 
Richardson, Alexander Thornton 
Harper and Carter W. Sparks. 

The Prospect Baptist church, 
near Coosa, was founded in 1856. 

Undoubtedly the oldest religious 
agency in the county (now only 
a memory) was the mission at Coo- 
sa (theu known as Missionary 
Station). This was established 
in 1821 by Rev. Elijah Butler and 
his wife, Esther Butler, of the 
North, who were succeeded in the 
work ^y Rev. Plugh Ouin, about 
1827. 

Such l)usiness estal)lishments as 
might be expected in a growing 
town sprang up between 1834 and 
1861. Col. Alfred Shorter began to 
trade in cotton, merchandise and 
real estate, and was recognized as 
Rome's leading financier and busi- 
ness man. Col. Cunningham M. 
Pennington, a civil engineer, ap- 
peared on the scene as Col. Shor- 
ter's agent, and also gave consid- 
erable attention to railroad enter- 
prises. Chas. M. Harper, a nephew, 
likewise was early associated with 
Col. Shorter. 

A postoffice was set up at a con- 
venient spot in the center of town 



and all the folks came for their 
mail. The streets were bad for 
many years, and pigs and cattle 
roamed over them at will, and 
many a Roman of the period kept 
a pig-sty in his yard. The thor- 
oughfares were lighted at night 
with oil lamps and the homes 
v/ith lamps or candles, and early re- 
tiring was the rule, and early ris- 
ing, too. 

Stage coach lines were estab- 
lished, with thrice a week service, 
leading to Cassville through North 
Rome, to New Echota via Oosta- 
naula River road, to Jacksonville, 
Ala., and Cave Spring via the Cave 
Spring road, to the towns of Chat- 
tooga County via the Summerville 
road, and to Livingston and points 
beyond through the Black's Blufif 
road. 

Practically all these roads of the 
present were originally Indian 
trails, notably the Alabama road, 
which was the old Creek path from 




MRS. J. M. M. CALDWELL, of the old Rome 
Female College, who taught Mrs. Woodrow 
Wilson and many others. 



94 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Alabama through northwest Geor- 
gia. These stages were joggling, 
rickety affairs, pulled by four 
horses. As we view it now, it was 
worth a man's life to undertake 
a long journey, but somehow they 
always reached their destination 
and the trouble of getting there 
was forgotten in a delightfully 
long stay. Mail was carried in 
pouches and the stage driver was 
responsible for its safe delivery. 
To facilitate this object, the driver 
iisually went armed, and was sel- 
dom molested. Among the early 
drivers and proprietors might be 
mentioned John H. Wisdom, who 
in 1863 warned Romans of the 
approach of Col. Streight's raid- 
ers, and Esom Graves Logan, J. 
R. Powell, Jos. H. Sergeant and 
other old timers. 

Connections were made by stage 
with more remote points, such as 
Athens, Covington, Milledgeville, 
Macon and Augusta. Atlanta did 
not appear until Dec. 23, 1843, when 
it was incorporated as Terminus.* 
Her name was changed to Marthas- 
ville, and then by an act approved 
Dec. 29, 1847, it became Atlanta.** 
Nine years before a village sprang 
up on the site of Atlanta, Romans 
had had a vision of a "terminus" 
on their own particular spot. Rome 
was the frontier outpost of Chero- 
kee Georgia, as far as the rest of 
the state was concerned. It was 
the connecting link between "Old 
Georgia" and "Old Tennessee," the 
clearing house for the cotton, corn, 
wheat and produce of the rich Coo- 
sa Valley and the northeastern 
Alabama towns. 

Rome's strategic position was 
perhaps best realized by William 
Smith, who in 1836 was elected to 
the State Senate with the idea that 
he might have a bill passed at Mil- 
ledgeville which would cause the 
proposed State Railroad to stop at 
Rome instead of at some point in 
Tennessee, which later became 



Chattanooga. The people were not 
ready for such a radical step, how- 
ever. The Steamboat Coosa had 
come all the way up from Greens- 
port, Ala., had given the natives a 
good fright, and this was enough 
of transportation improvements for 
a long time. When Col. Smith of- 
fered for re-election, he was de- 
feated by James Wells. Col. Smith 
bided his time, unloosed a new sup- 
ply of political thunder and defeat- 
ed Mr. Wells in 1838. Success still 
did not come, and in 1839 he was 
defeated by Jos. Watters, who 
served two years and then was 
defeated by Col. Smith in 1841. For 
three years, through 1843, Col. 
Smith pushed this project and oth- 
ers. He was given strong assur- 
ance that Rome would be made 
the terminus of the road, which 
would certainly have caused the 
place to boom like a mining town 
of the far W^est. Such a strong 
fight was made by Col. Smith dur- 
ing these years that an association 
of citizens at Chattanooga invited 
him to come there to live in a hand- 
some home that would cost him 
nothing. He was too strongly com- 
mitted to the place of his adoption, 
and continued the fight for Rome. 

When success seemed certain. 
Col. Smith and another founder of 
the town, Maj. Philip W. Hemp- 
hill, built a steamboat in anticipa- 
tion of the tremendous trade that 
would be created. The hull of the 
boat was made by William Adkuis, 
father of Wm. H. Adkins, of At- 
lanta, formerly of Rome. Tt was 
eased into the Oostanaula with ap- 
propriate ceremonies and her flag 
raised, bearing the name of her 
projector, William Smith. The n"'.a- 
chinery was not installed for a 
time, possibly due to a delay in 
delivery, or the desire of the own- 



*Acts, 1843, p. 83. 

**Acts, 1847, p. 50. It was by this act that 
Rome advanced from the status of town to that 
of city, and the city limits were extended to 
include all territory in a radius of half a mile 
from the courthouse. 



Growth from Village to Town 



95 



ers to see the bill pass l^efore they 
should increase their investment. 

Something- went wrong at Mil- 
ledgeville. The Whiteside interests 
at Chattanooga, augmented by a 
faction in Georgia who thought 
better of the Chattanooga termi- 
nus, proved too strong for the 
Cherokee Georgia contingent. The 
bill as passed included Chattanoo- 
ga. Rome was to be isolated to 
some extent ; the road was to pass 
16 miles away, through Cass Coun- 
ty, from Marthas ville northwest- 
ward. 

Col. Smith smiled his acquies- 
cense, but there was no estimating 
his disappointment. One night the 
William Smith sank, at the point 
where the Central of Georgia tres- 
tle crosses the Oostanaula. Prat- 
tling tongues said Col. Smith bored 
holes in her bottom. He would 
never talk about it much, be- 
} ond saying that the action of the 
Legislature had greatly crippled 
Rome. He did not try to raise the 
boat, and up to 25 years ago her 
muddy hull could still be seen at 
"low tide." 

In these days of slave labor, lim- 
ited transportation facilities, heavy 
crops and lack of industrialism, 
the thoughts of the upper classes 
naturally turned to politics. The 
newspapers printed four pages of 
six columns each once or twice a 
week. The advertisements were 
usually small and the other space 
must be filled up. When people 
married, they remained married, 
and a divorce was a rarity and con- 
sidered a disgrace. There were a 
good many fights with knives in 
grog shops, and an occasional duel, 
but news-gathering facilities had 
not been developed, and the papers 
were consequently filled with 
"views." Every editor was a savior 
of the country, and spread-eagle 
literary efiforts readily found their 
way into the newspapers from poli- 
ticians or statesmen. Presidential 
and Gubernatorial messages were 




DR. ELIJAH L. CONNALLY. Atlantan, Floyd 
County native, who as a baby was nursed 
by Indian Chiefs Tahchansee and Turkey. 



printed in full and were considered 
choice morsels for the head of the 
house. Greer's Almanac furnished 
weather predictions for everybody. 
Politics often consumed a page 
or two, and communications on 
topics that today are of much less 
consequence often ran into two or 
three columns. As for the women, 
they religiously read "Godey's La- 
dies' Book," an eastern publica- 
tion which met needs like the La- 
dies' Home Journal of today. 

It is not necessarily a reflection 
on Rome that in the first 26 years 
of her existence, from 1834 to 1860, 
she elected more men to Congress 
than has the Rome of the 57 years 
from 1865 to 1922. A new country 
always develops rugged leadership 
and the fearless expression of opin- 
ion that goes with a daily fight 
for existence. In this early period 
Rome sent four men to Congress. 
They were, in order. Judge John 
H. Lumpkin, who had previously 
served his uncle, Governor Wilson 



96 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Lumpkin, as secretary:, and had 
gone to the legislature in 1835 ; 
Thos. C. Hackett, Judge Lump- 
kin's law partner, who succeeded 
him ; Judge Augustus R. Wright, 
who had removed to Rome in 1855 ; 
and Judge Jno. W. H. Underwood 
who was a member of the Georgia 
delegation which walked out of 
Congress early in 1861 without 
taking the pains to resign. Only 
two men living in Rome at the time 
of their election have since been 
sent to Congress — Judson C. Clem- 
ents and Judge Jno. W. Maddox. 

Judge Lumpkin came near put- 
ting Rome on the map as the resi- 
dence of the Governor of Georgia ; 
that is, assuming he could have 
b.een elected over the eloquent and 
polished Benjamin H. Hill. Also, it 
is likely he would have been the 
War Governor. On June 24, 1857, 
the Democrats met at Milledge- 
ville to nominate a candidate to 
oppose the new American or Know- 
Nothing party. Lumpkin led the 
balloting for some time, l)ut he 
could not get the necessary two- 
thirds, and in a stampede, the nom- 
ination went to Jos. E. Brown. 
Alfred H. Colquitt, later Governor, 
also missed it narrowly. In the 
election held later. Brown defeated 
Hill, the American party nominee, 
by about 10,000 popular votes. 

This convention attracted the 
leading men of the state, and 
Rome's representatives were Judge 
Augustus R. Wright, who on one 
ballot received five votes ; Judge 
jno. W. H. Underwood and Daniel 
S. Printup. At all such gatherings 
Rome was prominently put for- 
ward. Her leading men went to the 
national conventions on an equal 
footing with the large cities of the 
state ; and on numerous occasions 
Governors, Senators and Congress- 
men came to Rome to seek the ad- 
vice of these nol)le Romans. Among 
the Governors were Chas. J. Mc- 
Donald, Herschel V. Johnson and 
Jos. E. Brown. When Judge Lump- 



kin died in the summer of 1860 at 
the Choice House, he was in com- 
pany with a group of statesmen. 

Quite often the Romans suited 
the convenience of their political 
friends ; quite often also they wrote 
a note saving, "Come up and let 
us talk it over." The Choice House 
veranda was a capital place for 
these gatherings, but occasionally a 
dignitary accepted an invitation to 
a private fireside and was treated 
to social courtesies which had 
nothing to do with politics. 

A contemporary writer said of 

Rome's "quartette" and Dr. H. V. 

M. Miller, United States Senator 

elected in 1868 Avhile residing in 

Atlanta : 

John H. Lumpkin was the candidate 
of North Georgia, which section vig- 
orously claimed the right to have the 
Governor. Lumpkin had been a con- 
gressman and a judge of the Superior 
Court and was a gentleman of excel- 
lent ability. 

Dr. Miller, though a physician, 
won the soubriquet of "The Demosthe- 
nes of the Mountains" in his innumera- 
ble political encounters, for which he 
had the same passion that the Irish- 
man is popularly believed to have for 
a "free fight." Deeply versed in con- 
stitutional law and political lore, a 
reasoner of rare power and as fine an 
orator as we have ever had in Geor- 
gia, capable of burning declamation 
and closely-knit argument, he was the 
peer on the stump of any of the great 
political speakers of the last -half- 
century in Georgia. 

Unfortunately for him, he had two 
perilous peculiarities — a biting sar- 
casm that delighted in exhibition of 
its crushing power, and that spared 
neither friend nor foe, and a contempt- 
uous and incurable disregard of party 
affiliations. He never in his life 
worked in harmony with any party 
or swallowed whole any single party . 
platform. And no man ever had more 
stubborn independence and self-asser- 
tion.* 

Judge Wright, of Rome, was one of 
the brightest thinkers and most spark- 
ling orators we had, but an embodied 
independent.** 
- Judge Underwood was a racy talker, 

♦History of Georgia, 1850-1881, by I. W. 
Avery, p. 40. 
**Ibid, p. 33. 




LITTLE TEXAS VALLEY— by Lillian Page Coulter 



Growth from Village to Town 



99 



a fluent, effective speaker and a good 
lawyer, with a portly, fine presence 
and manner; he would have made a 
far more commanding figure in Geor- 
gia politics, even, than he has with 
the possession of a greater quota of 
stability.* 

An evidence of the manner in 
which Romans kept pace with the 
poHtical trend is furnished in the 
following letter, dated at Rome, 
Jan. 18, 1854, from Judge Lump- 
kin to Howell Cobb :** 

Dear Cobb : — I was with McDon- 
ald*** a good deal while he was 
here, and he was in fine health and 
most excellent spirits. In fact, I have 
never seen him when he was on bet- 
ter terms with himself and the most 
of the world. He has not much fancy 
for our friend, Col. Underwood, and 
I think he has not a great deal of re- 
spect for Dr. Singleton. I had no con- 
versation with him in regard to the 
position of United States Senator, nor 
did he give me any intimation that he 
expected to go into Mr. Pierce's cabinet. 
But William Fort, of this place, a 
nephew of Dr. Fort, and who is the 
intimate friend and supporter of Gov. 
McDonald, informs me that Jefferson 
Davis is in correspondence with Mc- 
Donald, and that McDonald informed 
him confidentially that he would go to 
Milledgeville immediately this week, 
and if he could control some three or 
four of his friends and induce them 
to go into your support for United 
States Senator, that he would then 
tender back to the party the nomina- 
tion and go in publicly for your elec- 
tion; and if this was successful, he 
had no doubt of your election to the 
United States Senate,**** and that 
he would be appointed Secretary of 
War in the place of Jefferson Davis, 
would would also go into the Senate 
from the State of Mississippi. He 
further informed me that Brown was 
an applicant for the Senate from Mis- 
sissippi, and that this difficulty would 
have to be accommodated by provid- 
ing for Brown in some other way. I 
feel confident that this arrangement 
will be carried out, and if so, the party 



*Avery's History of Georgia, p. 52. 

**Georgia Historical Quarterly, June, 1922, 
ps. 148-9. 

***Chas. J. McDonald, Governor from 1839 
to 1843. 

****The election was held Jan. 23, 1854. 
Wm. C. Dawson, Whig incumbent, McDonald 
and Cobb were beaten by a Southern Rights 
Democrat, Alfred Iverson, of Columbus. 

*****GeorKia's Landmarks, Memorials and 
Legends, Vol. H, p. 15. 



in Georgia will be once more thor- 
oughly united and cemented. 

Locally, politics was active, but 
it was not confined to local offices 
or questions. The newspaper ed- 
itors saw to it that their readers 
were well posted on national mat- 
ters and characters. To inspire 
Georgians and Romans there stood 
the examples of Wm. H. Craw- 
ford, United States Senator and 
minister to France, who might 
have occupied the Presidential 
chair except for an unfortunate 
stroke of paralysis ;***** Howell 
Cobb, Georgia Governor, speaker 
of the National House, and Sec- 
retary of the Treasury ; John For- 
syth, Governor of Georgia, United 
States Senator and Secretary of 
State ; Wm. H. Stiles, minister to 
Austria; Benj. C. Yancey, minister 
to Argentine ; John E. Ward, min- 
ister to China; Herschel V. John- 
son, United States Senator and 
candidate for vice-president on the 
ticket of Stephen A. Douglas 
jvgainst Abraham Lincoln in 1860; 
and a number of others who bore 
Georgia's banner in the front of 
the procession. Georgia did not 
play "second fiddle" to any state or 
the village of Rome to any city. 

Few of Rome's early records 
were kept, and apparently no news- 
paper files before 1850 are in ex- 
istence. Several copies of the Rome 
Weekly Courier of 1850-51-52 were 
made available through the cour- 
tesy of H. H. Wimpee, of South 
Rome, and from these we get the 
best view of the political condi- 
tions up to that time, and looking 
jihead into the dark days of 1861-5. 

By 1850 we find the old Whig 
party beginning to disintegrate, 
but its adherents fighting grimly. 
In that year its last President, Mil- 
lard Fillmore, was inaugurated. 
Democrats were holding their own ; 
after Fillmore they elected Frank- 
lin Pierce and James Buchanan. 
The Republican party was rising in 
power. The American Party 



100 



A History of Rome'and Floyd County 




JOSEPH WATTERS, a member of the State 
Legislature in the forties, for whom the 
Watters District was named. 



sprang up at the expense of the 
Whigs ; they were the "middle of 
the road" host, or "Know Noth- 
ings." The States Rights Demo- 
crats, often called "Fire-Eaters," 
were a wing of the Democratic 
party, in the main. The Constitu- 
tional Unionists were formidable, 
North and South. Smaller factions 
likewise existed. 

An idea of the intense heat issu- 
ing from the political pot may be 
gained fr'om the statement that 
meetings at this time were at- 
tended ^by 10,000 to 20,000 people. 
The slavery and states' rights is- 
sues were fast coming to a head. 
Elections held in Georgia showed 
a large majority of people favora- 
ble to maintaining the Union. On 
Oct. 24, 1850, Jos. Watters and 
Edward Ware received 882 and 809 
votes, respectively, and Dr. Alvin 
Dean 121 votes, in a Floyd County 
election for two delegates t(^ the 
state convention Dec. 10, 1850, at 
Milledgeville. Dr. Dean represent- 
ed the disunionist element, or 
"fire-eaters." The vote of the del- 
egates on secession measures was 
heavily in favor of preserving the 
status quo. The eyes of the nation 
were focused on Georgia, and a 
different result, it is believed, 
would have hastened the Civil War 
by a decade. 

The following political letters 
were published in A. M. Eddie- 
man's Rome Weekly Courier on 
Thursday morning, Oct. 24, 1850: 

Hermitage, 
Floyd County, Ga. 
Oct. 15, 1850. 
To Messrs. H. V. M. Miller, Jno. H. 

Lumpkin and W. T. Price, Union 

Party Committee: 

Gentlemen: Your letter of the 10th 
inst., notifying me that at a very 
large meeting of the citizens of Floyd 
County, held in Rome on the 10th, I 
was unanimously nominated as one of 
the candidates to represent the coun- 
ty in the convention which is to as- 
semble in Milledgeville, Dec. 10, has 
been received. You enclose a copy of 
the resolutions adopted by the meet- 



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Growth from Village to Town 



103 



ing, expressing its opinion on the pend- 
ing issues, and calling my attention to 
them. 

I have carefully examined the reso- 
lutions and do approve of them as 
adopted by the meeting. As such, I 
accept the nomination received, and 
should I be elected by the voters of 
the county, I will oppose any measure 
leading to a dissolution of the Union. 

Should Congress at any time exhibit 
its purpose to v^^ar upon our property 
or withhold our just constitutional 
rights, I as a Southern man stand 
ready to vindicate those rights in the 
Union as long as possible and out of 
the Union when we are left no other 
alternative. 

Respectfully yours, 

JOSEPH WATTERS. 

*Courtesy, Floyd Co., Ga., 
Oct. 16, 1850. 

To Messrs. H. V. M. Miller, Jno. H. 
Lumpkin and W. T. Price, Union 
Party Committee : 

Gentlemen: I received your polite 
note of the 10th inst. yesterday eve- 
ning, informing me of my unanimous 
nomination by a large and respectable 
meeting of the citizens of Floyd Coun- 
ty as one of the two candidates to 
represent them at Milledgeville Dec. 
10. I consent to represent them if I 
should be elected. 

I am requested by your honorable 
committee to give a pledge to support 
the resolutions submitted to me for my 
consideration. I pledge myself to suo- 
port no measure leading to a violation 
of the Constitution of the United 
States or dissolution of the Union. 

Gentlemen, I have the honor to be 
your most obedient servant, 

EDWARD WARE. 

Editor Eddleman was a staunch 
Union man himself, and his views 
were shared by many, as the fol- 
lowing- editorial item from the 
same issue of his paper will show : 

Kingston Mass Meeting. — Let no one 
forget the gathering of the friends of 
the Union at Kingston on Nov. 8. Am- 
ple accommodation will be provided for 
20,000 persons, and we hope to see at 
least that number in attendance. The 
noblest fabric of government ever 
purchased by the blood of patriotism 
or formed by the wisdom of man is 
threatened with destruction. Is there 
public virtue enough in the hearts of 

*Supposed to have been located at Six Mile 
Station, Vann's Valley. 



the people to save it? If the assault 
were made by a foreign foe, 100,000 
bayonets in Georgia would bristle in 
its defense. Shall the enthusiasm be 
less warm, the determination less firm, 
to hazard all in its protection, because 
the enemy is in our midst? 

Come out, then, to the meeting at 
Kingston, and let us mingle our voices 
in loud and long huzzas for the glo- 
rious old government of our ancestors, 
endeared to us as it is by the remi- 
niscences of the past, the incalculable 
blessings of the present and the bright 
anticipations of the future — spreading 
before the imagination a career of 
prosperity, of greatness and grandeur, 
to which all history affords no parallel. 
Let us meet and firmly resolve at any 
cost to maintain it pure and inviolate, 
as we received it. Come, people of 
Cherokee Georgia, and partake of the 
hospitality of your fellow citizens of 
Cass and Floyd. Come and listen to 
the eloquence of Stephens, and Cobb, 
and Toombs, and Andrews, and Petti- 
grew, and a host of others who are to 
be there to address you. Come and 
enjoy a "feast of reason and a flow of 
soul." Let the wisdom of age be there 
to moderate and control the fire and 
impetuosity of youth. Let the pres- 
ence and the smile of woman, as in 
every contest of patriotism the world 
over, be ready to cheer and encourage 
the hardier sex in the performance of 
its duty. 

Let no one stay away because of 
the supposed weakness of our adver- 
saries. They are more numerous than 
many suppose. They have talents, 
courage, cunning and money, and 
evince a determination to spend them 
freely in the desperate cause in which 
they have embarked. Come and show 
by your spirit and numbers your res- 
olution to permit no sacrilegious hand 
to render asunder the Glorious Flag 
of your Country. It has formed the 
winding sheet of many of your patriot 
ancestors. It has been to Americans 
in every land and on every sea, as far 
as human foot has trod, the Aegis of 
Safety. Proudly has it waved over a 
thousand bloody but victorious battle- 
fields, and it is for you to say whether 
it shall be transmitted unsullied to 
your posterity. Let there be for cen- 
turies no stain upon it, no erasure; 
but on its bright field let every STAR 
and every STRIPE forever shine re- 
splendently in glorious equality! 

Thus were the war clouds as- 
suming shape. The next ten years 
was to be a period of preparation 



104 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



in thought and to a considerable 
extent at its close preparation in 
arms and munitions of war. Some 
years before this, statesmen and 
military leaders saw the prospect 
clearly. In 1844 Lieut. Wm. T. 
Sherman, just out of West Point, 
was ordered to go by horseback 
from Charleston to Marietta to 
assist in hearing claims of Georgia 
volunteers in the Seminole War for 
lest horses and equipment. After 
finishing at Marietta, he passed 
through Cass (now Bartow) 
County, and examined the Tumlin 
Indian mound near Cartersville 
with Col. Lewis Tumlin ; then pro- 
ceeded to Bellefonte, Jackson Co., 
Ala., to continue his duties. He 
made a thorough study of the 
country from the military stand- 
point, especially Kennesaw^ Moun- 
tain, AUatoona Pass and the Eto- 
wah river.* After spending two 
months at Bellefonte, he returned 
to Ft. Moultrie, Charleston Har- 
bor, on horsel)ack via Rome, AUa- 




toona, Marietta (and Kennesaw), 
Atlanta, Macon and Augusta, fol- 
lowing closely parts of the route 
he took 20 years later on his 
"March to the Sea."** 

Another distinguished guest of 
Rome who came on a different 
mission was Jeft'erson Davis;*** 
and still another, on Tuesday, Oct. 
29, 1850, was Col. Albert J. Pick- 
ett, of Alabama, concerning Avhose 
mission the Rome Weekly Courier 
of Thursday, Oct. 31, 1850, printed 
the following" notice : 

Col. Pickett On DeSoto's Route. — 
Col. Albert J. Pickett, of Montgomery, 
Ala., author of the History of Ala- 
bama and incidentally of Georgia and 
Mississippi, entertained a large num- 
ber of our citizens for two hours Tues- 
day evening at the courthouse, giving 
an interesting account of the invasion 
of Georgia by DeSoto, more than three 
centuries ago. Col. Pickett is in pos- 
session of a more minute account of 
this remarkable adventure than any 
man we have ever seen. Upon the site 
of our city, he asserted, DeSoto en- 
camped with 1,000 men for 30 days, 
during which time a battle was fought 
between the Spaniards under his com- 
mand and the Indian tribes then in- 
habiting this country. Evidences of 
this battle still exist in the shape of 
human bones dug out of a mound near 
the junction of the Etowah and the 
Oostanaula. 

From 1840 to 1861 Rome grew 
fast. In this period Wm. R. Smith 
(called "Long Bill" because he 
wore his hair in a cjueue down his 
back), Col. Wade S. Cothran and 
Col. Daniel S. Printup appeared. 
All engaged in railroad enterprises, 
and in addition. Col. Printup at- 
tended to a large law business, and 
Col. Cothran acquired an interest 
in the steamboat lines, for which 
Capt. F. M. Coulter had built a 
number of handsome and service- 
able boats. 



COL. ALFRED SHORTER, whom William 
Smith induced to come to Rome from Ala- 
bama, and who gave Dixie Shorter College. 



♦Sherman's Memoirs, 1875, Vol. II. 

**U. S. Senate Documents, Vol. 40, "Sher- 
man — a Memorial Sketch." 

***Accordin!2: to Mrs. Hiram D. Hill, Mr. 
Davis visited her parents, Col. and Mrs. Danl. R. 
Mitchell. Mrs. Mitchell was a member of the 
Mann family, to whose members Mr. Davis was 
also related. Mr. Davis and Mrs. Mitchell were 
second cousins, according to Mrs. Hill. 




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Growth from Village to Town 



107 



The Rome Railroad (originally 
the Memphis Branch Railroad and 
Steamboat Company of Georgia) 
was chartered Dec. 21, 1839, and 
the whole town turned out several 
years later when the first train 
puffed in from Kingston, 16 miles 
and a good hour away.* In 1855 the 
Nobles came from Reading, Pa., to 
give Rome a decided boost in iron 
manufactures. The LeHardys ar- 
rived from Belgium to found their 
Belgian colony, an experiment 
which added much to the agricul- 
tural interest and the social, edu- 
cational and cultural importance 
of Rome. Major Chas. H. Smith 
("Bill Arp") moved over from 
Lawrenceville in 1851, and thus 
Rome acquired a literary expound- 
er who could proclaim her glories 
abroad, a sweet-voiced singer who 
could put her wonders into type 
and an artist who could paint her 
rude characters in the colors of 
their native abode. 

Rome soon acquired a case of 
"growing pains." The editors began 
to call for better things than what 
Rome had had. The flickering 
street lamps and the house lamps 
and candles were an abomination. 
An enterprising firm advertised 
"camphine" as better than any light 
except the sun ; ten years later, in 
1860, a local firm started selling 
machines to make gas out of pine 
logs. 

In 1850 a volunteer fire company 
was formed, with a reel that would 
carry buckets of water. Robt. Bat- 
tey was president and David G. 
Love secretary. "Water, water" 
v/as everywhere, but there were no 
pipes to carry it in, and there was 
no pump to send it into a gravity 
tank. Luckily, the early fires were 
usually small, except one in 1858, 
which took most of the block on 
the west side of Broad Street be- 
tween Fourth and Fifth Avenues. 



The volunteers called for extra ap- 
paratus, but none was forthcoming 
for a while. Rome was not to be 
built in a day. 

Soda water and ice cream ap- 
peared in 1850, and created a sen- 
sation. There was no great de- 
mand for them; the people needed 
such money as they had for more 
urgent necessities ; most of all, per- 
haps, they were new and untried. 
In 1860 the druggists attempted to 
make soda water go again, and 
gave away quantities to introduce 
it. The name of it at that time 
was soda pop. The two drug stores 
were conducted by Dr. J. D. Dick- 
erson and Battey & Brother. The 
senior member of the latter was 
Dr. Geo. M. Battey, and the junior 
member Robt. Battey. Dr. Dick- 
erson not only ran his drug store, 
but found time to act as the first 
mayor, which position he filled two 
terms, until December, 1850, when 
he retired in favor of Jas. P. Per- 
kins. Mr. Perkins was followed by 
Nathan Yarbrough in 1852. Other 
early mayors, of uncertain date, 
were Wm. Cook Gautier Johnstone 
and Jas. M. Sumter. In 1857 Judge 




*Judge John W. H. Underwood used to say 
it was the only railroad in the country that a 
man could ride all day for a dollar. 



MRS. ALFRED SHORTER, long prominent in 
the work of the 1st Baptist Church, and an 
able assistant to her remarkable husband. 



108 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Robt. D. Harvey was mayor, and 
in 1859-60 H. A. Gartrell, lawyer 
and uncle of Henry W. Grady.* Old 
newspapers state that Dr. Thos. 
Jefferson Word was elected mayor 
in 1861 and succeeded himself in 
1862. 

The proprietor of The Courier, 
an occasional traveler, informed his 
readers as follows, Jan. 30, 1851 : 

Mail Change. — We are informed by 
Thos. J. Perry, Esq., postmaster at 
this city, that he has received a com- 
munication from the Department at 
Washington giving assurance of a 
speedy and salutary change in the 
transportation of the mail and pas- 
sengers between this place and Gun- 
tersville, Ala. A four-horse stage 
coach v^rill soon take the place of the 
spring wagon. Very well. 

And he piped this summarizing 
panegyric to the young citv under 
date of Feb. 5, 1851 : 

Rome, Its Prospects. — It is grati- 
fying to watch the gradual but certain 
growth of our young and vigorous city. 
Buildings of various kinds are rap- 
idly going up and valuable accessions 
are being made to our population. 
Since the completion of the "Rome 
Railroad," business has steadily in- 
creased, and under a wise and liberal 
policy will be largely augmented dur- 
ing the next few years. If we are not 
greatly deceived, Rome will double its 
population of more than 3,000 in the 
next four years, provided its resources 
are properly directed and its inter- 
ests prudently fostered. Its popula- 
tion with the exception of some 20 or 
30 very clever doctors and lawyers, 
(who, we are happy to say, have but 
little to do), is made up mostly of sub- 
stantial business men who are per- 
manently identified with the place and 
deeply interested in its prosperity and 
reputation. 

Surrounded by a country of unsur- 
passed beauty and fertility, occupied 
by an unusually dense and valuable 
agricultural population — at the ter- 
minus of railroad and steamboat 
transportation — Rome is and must ever 
continue to be a place of considerable 
commercial importance. 

We hope before the commencement 
of another business season we shall be 
able to record the establishment of a 
bank in our City.** Such an institu- 
tion under proper regulations will 
greatly promote the convenience and 



prosperity of every class of our citi- 
zens. Our business men should take 
this matter under immediate consider- 
ation, or a large and profitable interior 
trade may be forever diverted from 
their control. 

"Ye call us a small town?" quoth 
Editor Melville Dwinell Mar. 3, 
1860. "Harken ye!": 

A person living in Middle or Lower 
Georgia, who has never visited the 
"Metropolis of Cherokee," has an idea 
that it is like all other up-country 
towns, composed of a courthouse in the 
center of a square, surrounded by two 
taverns, a variety store, a ten pin al- 
ley, a blacksmith shop and three gro- 
ceries. He therefore expresses great 
surprise on coming to our City for the 
first time, to discover what an egregi- 
ous mistake he has made. One eye is 
opened slightly when he arrives at the 
depot and beholds those city institu- 
tions, church steeples, and an omnibus, 
and by the time his baggage is seized 
and violently tugged at by zealous 
drummers, from our two large rival 
hotels, that eye is wide open. The lids 
of the other begin to part company, in 
order to give a better view of the long 
line of fine brick stores, stretching 
away up Broad Street, at the head of 
which, upon an eminence overlooking 
the city, is the handsome residence of 
our Ex-M. C.,*** and the imposing 
building of "Rome Female College." 

At night, when our stores and street 
are illuminated with gas, the rays of 
enlightenment begin to shine in upon 
his benighted mind. 

If he be here on the Sabbath, and is 
not a "heathen or a publican," he at- 
tends one of our four churches, and 
finds it filled with an intelligent and 
attentive congregation, and hears a 
sermon that would be listened to with 
interest and profit by any similar as- 
sembly in the State. On Monday 
morning, his curiosity being aroused, 
he strolls down one side of Broad 
Street, and up the other to observe the 
style and extent of our business. While 
he stands wondering at the number of 
cotton and produce wagons "coming 
to town," and our energetic business 
men hurrying to and fro, if it be a 
pleasant day, and he an unmarried 
man, his heart leaps as he hears tiny 

*This list of before-the-war mayors is the 
completest and most accurate that it has been 
possible to obtain. 

**Several small banks of a fly-by-night char- 
acter had been established and had gone out of 
business prior to 1851. 

***Judge John H. Lumpkin. 







ir^»- ■ -tlW*^ 



wmt^^* 



'"'IP**'' 



- • ^C 




J .f^iV^ir'i";*'^ 



BARNSLEY GARDENS (Bartow County)— by Lillian Page Coulter 



Growth from Village to Town 



111 



heels, (bless their little soles), patter- 
ing on the pavement behind him. He 
turns, and his gaze is fixed upon a 
sweet and intelligent face, just as far 
in advance of "a dear love of a bon- 
net" as the most enthusiastic admirer 
of "beauty vi^hen unadorned" could 
Vv^ish. 

If not transfixed, he, like one of 
Dame Nature's loyal subject:.-;, obeys 
her "supreme law," and immediately 
steps off the sideivalk, to make room 
for the widest circles of fashion that 
are "trundling" his way. Drawn ir- 
resistibly, he follows, and entering one 
of our many large dry goods houses, 
he sees several industrious and smil- 
ing clerks, energetically employed in 
pulling down and unrolling, and then 
rolling and putting up again, an ex- 
tensive assortment of calicoes, bereges, 
silks, satins, muslins, delaines, etc.,, 
etc., to accommodate the fair custom- 
ers, who throng the counters "only to 
see the latest spring styles." All doubts 
that may have been excited by the in- 
formation that Rome has furnished the 
last three Congressmen from the Fifth 
District* are dispelled, and he is 
"convinced against his will" that we 
have reached the highest point of civ- 
ilization. 

But he has yet to learn the impor- 
tance of Rome, in a business point of 
view; for although he has lobserved 
that we have a number of fashionable 
dry goods establishments, various 
clothing stores, large grocery houses, 
three livery stables, two extensive 
hardware and four drug stores, also 
one of jewelry, another of crockery and 
a third of "books and stationery," he 
is surprised to learn that besides the 
"college," we have a "Cherokee In- 
stitute" for boys and girls together, a 
high school for the former by them- 
selves, and two or three others, where 
the younger ideas are just taking aim; 
that we have two "carriage reposito- 
ries," where fine buggies and other ve- 
hicles are made, and that two cabinet 
shops, with steam motive power, giv- 
ing employment to about 50 hands, 
are daily manufacturing on an exten- 
sive scale neat and durable furniture 
of the latest and best styles.** 

Upon enquiring the cause of so 
much blowing and whistling of steam 
engines, some one of our obliging citi- 
zens takes his arm and conducts him 
down to the foundry*** and shows 

*Now the seventh. 

**Mayor Sumter conducted oae of these. 
***Nobles'. 

****In 1847 it was 3,000. 

*****From the Southerner and Advertiser of 
about Aug. 26, 1860. 



him a large number of mechanics 
busily engaged in the manufacture of 
machinery of all kinds. 

He is informed that they built the 
first, and one of the best locomotives 
in the State, besides numerous engines 
for mines, mills, steamboats, etc. He 
is then taken to the "Nonpareil Mills," 
and sees meal and flour in large quan- 
tities, ground by machinery, set in mo- 
tion by one of these same engines. 

He is still unprepared for the most 
astounding discovery of all. When told 
that Rome, away up in the northwest 
corner of the State, surrounded by the 
mountains of Cherokee, is situated at 
the confluence of two streams, upon 
one of which, and upon the river which 
they form, four steamboats are con- 
stantly arriving and departing, he 
smiles and shakes his head incredu- 
lously. In order to convince him, it is 
only necessary to take him down to 
the wharves, and point with honest 
pride to the floating witnesses. Three 
of them, he is informed, make weekly 
trips down the Coosa river, to Greens- 
port, Ala., and the fourth, three times 
a week, up the Oostanaula to Calhoun, 
Gordon County. Each leaves her wharf 
with a heavy cargo of merchandise, 
and returns laden with cotton, grain, 
lumber, etc., etc. 

The "chief among us taking notes," 
walks thoughtfully away with the con- 
viction that Rome is "no mean city," 
and if in the course of a year or two 
he returns and hears the "Iron Horse" 
snorting through Vann's Valley, bring- 
ing its living freight from Mobile and 
New Orleans, on their way to the 
Northern cities, he will find that it is 
making rapid strides to the position of 
influence and importance to which the 
hand of Nature points. 

The Tri-Weekly Courier of Aug 
8, 1860, stated that the population 
of Floyd County in 1840 was 4,441, 
and presented the folloAving census 
table comparisons :**** 

Year Whites. Slaves. Free. Total 
1850 5,202 2,999 4 8,205 

1860 9,200 5,927 16 15,233 

James I. Teat, Floyd County tax 
receiver, presented the following 
county tax return figures for 1859 
and I860:***** 

Number of polls in 1859, 1,651; in 
1860, 1,738— gain, 87. 

Legal voters over 60 years of age, 
118. 

Total number of voters, 1,856. 



112 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Lawyers and physicians in 1859, 57 
in 1860, 56. 

Free persons of color in 1859, 13 
in 1860, 16. 

Value of land in 1859, $2,652,003 
in 1860, $2,807,435. 

Town property in 1859, $446,680; in 
1860, $537,951. 

Value of slaves in 1859, $4,454,207; 
in 1860, $3,755,184. 

Amount of money, etc., in 1859, 
$1,937,849; in 1860, $2,104,490. 

Merchandise in 1859, $309,559; in 
1860, $340,565. 

Capital in steamboats in 1859, $6,- 
400; in 1860, $14,910. 



All other capital invested in 1859, 
$23,776; in 1860, $11,784. 

Household, etc., in 1859, $35,283; in 
1860, $36,805. 

All other property in 1859, $496,365; 
in 1860, $524,667. 

Total ag-^-egate, 1859, $9,363,132; 
in 1860, $10,133,791— total gain, $770,- 
669. 

Average value of land per acre, 
$9.30. 

Average value of slaves, $651.70. 
Number of men over 60 years of age 
in proportion to polls, 14=)4. 




CHAPTER VI. 
Views and Events Leading Up to War 



A 



LTHOUGH Floyd had been 
overwhelmingly a "Union 
county," her citizens, al- 
most to a man, were willing 
to go with the majority in any sit- 
uation affecting the interests of the 
South. Thus we see the local sen- 
timent gradually changing, until 
in 1860 the anti-secession forces 
had lost considerable ground. This 
was brought about in general by 
the drift of the times, in particular 
by the abductions of slaves, the 
propaganda of traveling emissa- 
ries, and the literary efforts of 
Northern leaders opposed to 
slavery. The writings of Wni. 
Lloyd Garrison, who edited an abo- 
litionist paper, Harriet Beecher 
Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's 
Cabin," and Hinton Rowan Helper, 
author of "The Impending Crisis," 
greatly inflamed sentiment and 
tended to knit public opinion more 
closely. 

The Rome Tri-Weekly Courier 
gives a good view of some of these 
influences and the incidents which 
were the outgrowth of them. Says 
Capt. Dwinell in The Courier of 
Jan. 10, 1860: 

Look Out For Him. — The Knoxville 
Whig gives the following description 
of an abolition emissary who, it says, 
intends "spending the winter at the 
South." His ostensible business seems 
to be selling and putting up gas burn- 
ers, and as Rome will very soon have 
need of such articles, he may honor 
us with a visit. 

He is about 23 or 25 years of age, 
weighs about 135, has light hair, sort 
of gray or blue eyes; his height is 
about 5 feet, 6 inches; he is fond of 
music, is a scientific fiddler; goes about 
as an agent for gas burners; is an in- 
cessant talker; is well informed for a 
man of his age, talks up freely on all 
subjects. Has letters addressed to 
him at different points, sometimes John 

*John Brown ; hanged Dec. 2, 1859, at Charles- 
town, Va., for raid on Harper's Ferry. 



Jenkins, at other times to J. P. Jen- 
kins, and again to J. W. P. Jenkins. 

The Whig says he spent some time 
in Jacksboro, Tenn., and on his return 
to his home, Brooklyn, N. Y., he wrote 
a long letter on the subject of slavery 
to a citizen of the former place. We 
subjoin an extract, and hope a strict 
watch may be kept for him: 

"Depend upon it, when Brown* dies, 
the ghost will haunt many that may 
gloat upon the sight, or imaginary one 
of Brown and his party, as they see 
them dangling on the scaffold paying 
their desire of revenge ! And ere long 
there will be a howling in their ears, 
with thunder tones the snappings and 
crackings of those long-forged chains, 
until they awake as from a dream at 
last, in which they shall see their folly 
in having executed men for their feel- 
ings of benevolence. 

"I see that the institution is getting 
very sick. It has the ague in its worst 
foriii in Virginia. It has the consump- 
tion, and almost a galloping one, in 
Missouri. So it has in portions of Ken- 
tucky and many parts of the South. 
The' seeds of discontent are being 
sowed broadcast, even to the most re- 
mote regions. Not through the in- 
fluence of emissaries from the North 
particularly, but by the force of the 
power of emigration and civilization." 

There are too many of these scoun- 
drels prowling about through the 
Southern states. Their object is the 
same as is proclaimed in the "Impend- 
ing Crisis," and attempted to be car- 
ried out by John Brown and his con- 
federates—emancipation of our slaves 
— attended by murder, arson and all 
that is terrible and revolting in a ser- 
vile war. We are no advocates of mob 
law, but we believe in the first law of 
nature, and in such instances as these, 
frequently our only safety is in sum- 
mary proceedings. 

We learn from the Atlanta papers 
that last week in that city one of these 
vile incendiaries, named Newcomb, a 
clerk in a dry goods house, drank a 
toast to the health of John Brown, and 
eulogized his character. He was _ al- 
lowed to escape without just punish- 
ment for his temerity. We are op- 
posed to rashness and precipitancy in 
such cases, but when guilt is fully es- 
tablished, these fellows should be dealt 



114 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



with in such manner as will cause them 
to remember the lesson the balance of 
their days, and enable them to recite 
it with earnestness and eloquence to 
such of their friends as may seem in- 
clined to embark on similar enter- 
prises. 

The Impendivg Crisis. — We find the 
subjoined extract from this notorious 
book in one of our exchanges. South- 
erners can infer from it the purpose 
and character of the work: 

"So it seems that the total number 
of actual slave owners, including their 
entire crew of cringing lick-spittles, 
against whom we have to contend, is 
but 347,525. Against the army for the 
defense and propagation of slavery, we 
think it will be an easy matter — in- 
dependent of the negroes, who in nine 
cases out of ten would be delighted 
with an opportunity to cut their mas- 
ters' throats, and without accepting a 
single recruit from the free states, Eng- 
land, France or Germany — to mus- 
ter one at least three times as large 
and far more respectable, for its utter 
extinction. We are determined to abol- 
ish slavery at all hazards — in defiance 
of all opposition of whatever nature, 
which it is possible for the slaveocrats 
to muster against us. Of this they 




CAPT. MELVILLE DWINELL, native of Ver- 
mont, bachelor and noted Rome newspaper 
editor, who gave Henry Grady his first "job." 



may take due notice, and then govern 
themselves accordingly." 

It is nothing more nor less than a 
declaration of war against the South 
and her institutions, in which we are 
warned to "take due notice" that our 
slaves will be given the opportunity 
of cutting our throats. And this trea- 
sonable document is recommended by 
68 Northern men, including Congress- 
men, Governors and clergymen. It is 
endorsed by leaders of the Black Re- 
publican party, among them John 
Sherman, of Ohio, their speaker of the 
House of Representatives; Wm. H. 
Seward,* Senator from New York, 
says of it: 

"I have read 'The Impending Crisis' 
with deep attention. It seems to me 
a work of information and logical anal- 
ysis." 

And Mr. Seward will in all proba- 
bility be the candidate of his party for 
the presidency. These facts will do for 
Southerners to ponder well. 

The Courier of Jan. 19. 186C, re- 
produced the following from the 
Montgomery Mail as embodying 
its own sentiments: 

Somethivg, Something, Anything! — 
Now that the state convention of the 
dominant party has adjourned, the gen- 
eral hope is that the Legislature will 
do something — anything — by way of 
preparing to meet the requirements of 
the war that is almost upon us. Let 
no man accuse us of disunion purposes. 
The question is not, will not be, left 
to the South for decision. The forces 
of Abolition intend to leave us no op- 
tion but to fight for our firesides, or 
do as cowards do. As they moved at 
Harper's Ferry, so they are prepar- 
ing to move all over the South. Plots 
have already been detected and stifled 
in Missouri. "Irrepressible Conflict" 
means the knife at your throat and 
the torch at your house, reader, and 
both at the dead of night. Whenever 
you take up and drive off an Abolition- 
ist from your neighborhood, he goes 
to the next county, and another takes 
his place. The dead ones cease to act. 

The following of Jan. 24, 1860. 
illustrates a habit of traveling 
salesmen from the North : 

The Latest Dodge. — The Yankees are 
never at a loss for expedients. During 
this "impending crisis" they have se- 

*Mr. Seward became Lincoln's Secretary of 
War. As a young man ne taught school a 
while at Milledgeville. 



Views and Events Leading up to War 



115 




A PAGE DEDICATED TO THE HORSE. 



Fearin? the horse, like his ill-fated predecessor, the ox, might become practically extinct 
as a resu?t of the onward rush of the automobile and the flying machme, we present these 
pLt^r^rhlrewith as°"our contribution to the perpetuation of his fame. J^^ d-b*^^--^""- 
living will in the dim future point out to their children some horse, with the remarK, 
once rode one of those!" 



116 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



cured a large amount of Southern cus- 
tom by sending- out their drummers 
dressed in homespun! The ruse pays, 
and as drummers are generally expect- 
ed to be an accommodating set, per- 
fectly free and perfectly persuasive, 
they never lose an opportunity to talk 
humorously conservative, as if the po- 
litical hubbub now rampant was all a 
meaningless fudge, and the North and 
the South are as firmly linked as ever. 
But yet, when a serious discussion 
arises they are intensely Southern, and 
their homespun is proof positive ! — 
Petersburg Express. 

The Courier of Jan. 26, 1860, ap- 
prizes us of an attack on "The Im- 
pending Crisis" from the floor of 
the House by a Roman :* 

The following is an extract from the 
speech of the Hon. John W. H. Under- 
wood, of Rome, in the House of Rep- 
resentatives, Washington, on the 16th 
inst. It places John Sherman's rela- 
tion to the Helper book in a new and 
strong light: "Mr. Clerk, when we as- 
sembled in this hall on the first Mon- 
day in December last, we found upon 
the floor of this House 40 members who 
had 'cordially endorsed' Helper's 'Im- 
pending Crisis of the South,' a book 
which proposes arson, murder, rapine, 
insurrection and servile war. Among 
the signers of that 'coidial endorse- 
ment' is the honorable gentleman from 
Ohio, Mr. Sherman, the candidate of 
the Black Republican party for speak- 
er. . . . That man Helper, 
some months prior to this 'cordial en- 
dorsement,' was exposed by the honor- 
able Senator from North Carolina in 
the Senate, and denounced as a thief, 
and this was put into the records of 
Congress; and not only that, this same 
Helper assaulted a member of this 
House (Mr. Craige, of North Caro- 
lina) in his seat, about this same work; 
and I respectfully submit, the hon- 
orable gentleman from Ohio was too 
careless, too unmindful of public events 
when he endorsed this author's work 
without knowing the contents of the 
book. Sir, if ever there was a clear 
case of criminal negligence, this is the 
one, if it were a crime to endorse cor- 
dially that Helper work!" 

Judge Underwood shortly passed 
through Atlanta : 

We find the following in the 
Atlanta Intelligencer and cheer- 
fully transfer it to our columns as a 
merited compliment to our immediate 
representative and fellow townsman. 



We commend the concluding paragraph 
to the consideration of the Floyd Cav- 
alry, "quorum ille magna pars," and 
also to those interested in the organi- 
zation of the new foot company: 

"Hon. John W. H. Underwood, the 
representative of the Fifth Congres- 
sional District, passed through our city 
yesterday morning. He was looking 
in fine plight, and so far as looks are 
concerned, is an ornament to the Geor- 
gia delegation in CongTess. But he has 
mental ability as well as looks. More- 
over, we find fi'om his conversation that 
he is fired up with a just sense of 
the perils impending over the South. 
He is in favor of arming the South, 
and advocates on the part of Georgia 
a preparation to meet the 'irrepressi- 
ble conflict' which he says must sooner 
or later come upon us. We cordially 
respond to his recommendation. Let 
the State of Geotrgia arm her military 
forces, encourage volunteer companies, 
provide arms and ammunition, and in 
times of peace prepare for war. This 
is what prudence demands. We are 
for peace as long as we can preserve 
our rights by adherence to it, but when 
forbearance ceases to be a virtue, we 
say let the fight come on. We have no 
fears of the final result of such a con- 
flict."— Courier, Feb. 9, 1860. 

While the polemics of stump and 
printing press were raging, the 
boys were busy currying their 
mounts and polishing their old 
scjuirrel gims : 

Floyd Cavalry — An Infantry Corps. 
— The Floyd Cavalry, under command 
of Capt. W. S. Cothran, paraded in 
our streets on Saturday. We are glad 
to see that notwithstanding the dis- 
couragements this company have met 
with, they have persevered in their de- 
termination to succeed. Their ranks 
were not very full, but we hope the 
election of Col. Cothran to the cap- 
taincy will excite additional zeal. We 
are rejoiced to learn that an infantry 
company is about being organized in 
this place. 

We call the attention of all the citi- 
zens interested in the safety of the 
country to the fact. In the name of 
patriotism and in view of the exigen- 
cies of the times we entreat them to 
render all the aid they can. The spies 
sent out by the Abolition leaders of 
the North to pry into the conditions of 
our military system speak in the most 

*Since this was launched a week before the 
Georgia delegation left Congress, quite likely 
it was Judge Underwood's parting shot. 



Views and Events Leading up to War 



117 



contemptuous terms of them. They 
have doubtless thereby been embolden- 
ed in their attacks upon our rights. 
An ample preparation for the worst is 
the surest way to avert it. Let us not 
be behind the rest of the state in the 
work, but let us place these two com- 
panies in a position second to none. — 
Courier, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1860. 

Failure to recognize the South 
as the "white man's country" 
caused keen embarrassment to a 
sojourner in Rome, as told tinder 
date of Feb. 9, 1860: 

An Excitement. — An individual who 
claimed to be a drummer for a New 
York house arrived here from Mari- 
etta Tuesday afternoon. He was un- 
derstood by passengers on the car to 
utter heretical sentiments on the sub- 
ject of negro equality; and upon in- 
formation being given to this effect to 
some of our citizens, he was waited 
upon and none too politely requested 
to leave. He seemed to be very earn- 
estly desirous of complying immediate- 
ly, but was left by the evening train 
and compelled to wait over until yes- 
terday. At one time he was in im- 
mediate danger of being roughly 
treated, and was so badly scared that 
he was heard to express a preference 
for a climate usually considered much 
warmer than the tropics. He evidently 
thought Rome too hot for him! 

It is a most astonishing thing to us 
that a Northern man at this juncture 
will permit an anti-slavery opinion to 
escape his lips in the South. They must 
be most stupid folks if they cannot 
learn under the experience of such 
teachings as they have had. 

This incident suggested to the 
citizens of Rome a mass meeting 
two days later to pass resolutions 
outlawing Northern-made goods. 
The Courier account and its edito- 
rial comment of Saturday, Feb. 11, 
1860, are herewith presented : 

Non-Intercourse Meeting. — In an- 
other column we publish the proceed- 
ings of this meeting held in the City 
Hall on last Thursday. It is an impor- 
tant step in the onward march of the 
South to independence and greatness. 
Now the question arises, do 
we intend to abide by these resolu- 
tions? Or will the persons, compris- 
ing a large number of our wealthiest 
and most intelligent citizens, who 
adopted them with such unanimity, 
utterly disregard them, as was inti- 



mated in the meeting, whenever they 
can save a few dimes by giving the 
preference in the purchase of their! 
goods to those merchants who may 
bring them from the North? If so, the 
whole affair will be a most absurd fail- 
ure, a ridiculous farce. We have 
greater confidence in the sincerity and 
the self-sacrificing patriotism of the 
people of Floyd County than to enter- 
tain such a thought for a moment. 

Citizens' Non-Intercourse Meeting. — 
Pursuant to a call from a committee 
made up of W. S. Cothran, J. H. Lump- 
kin, J. R. Freeman, J. M. Spullock, W. 
A. Fort, C. H. Smith, J. B. Underwood, 
F. C. Shropshire, Alfred Shorter, Dr. 
J. King, T. W. Alexander, Dr. T. J. 
Word, Thos. G. Watters and J. H. Mc- 
Clung, a portion of the citizens of 
Floyd County met at 11 o'clock at the 
City Hall, and on motion. of Dr. Alvin 
Dean, his honor the mayor, Henry A. 
Gartrell, was called to the chair. The 
chairman then stated the object of the 
meeting to be to assert our Commer- 
cial Independence of the North. On 
motion of Hon. J. W. H. Underwood, 
Dr. Alvin Dean and Col. Jos. Watters 
were named vice-presidents, and J. W. 
Wofford and Geo. T. Stovall were re- 




MA.JOR and MRS. CHAS. H. SMITH— "Bill 
Arp's" "open letter to Abe Linkhorn" in 
April, 1861, proved a sensation in the South. 



118 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



quested to act as secretaries. The 
chairman appointed the following to 
act as a steering committee: Thos. E. 
Williamson, D. B. Hamilton, F. C. 
Shropshire, J. R. Freeman, Green T. 
Cunningham, J. F. Hoskinson, B. F. 
Hooper, J. P. Holt, Jos. Ford, C. P. 
Dean and B. F. Payne. 

While the committee were out, Col. 
Underwood set forth in an able and 
eloquent speech the relations existing 
between the two sections of the coun- 
try — the aggressive and unconstitu- 
tional policy of the North on the one 
hand and the degi-ading dependence of 
the South on the other, and eai'nestly 
urged upon those present the duty and 
importance of throwing off the finan- 
cial shackles by which the South is 
bound. 

The following resolutions were 
passed: 

"Resolved, first, That the merchants 
and mechanics of this city and county 
be requested to patronize Southern 
manufacturers. Southern markets and 
direct importations to Southern ports, 
to the exclusion of all others. 

"Resolved, second. That in the pur- 
chase of our dry goods, groceries, hard- 
ware and other merchandise we will 
support and sustain those who comply 
with the foregoing resolutions. 

"Resolved, third. That while we have 
an abiding confidence in the patriotism 
and fidelity of some of our Northern 
friends, yet duty to the South requires 
that we should stand to and abide by 
the foregoing resolutions until the 
Northern states demonstrate at the bal- 
lot box their fidelity to the Constitu- 
tion and the laws, by driving from our 
national councils the leaders of that 
demoniac crew known as the Black Re- 
publican party, and by repealing all 
their local laws which militate against 
the common Constitution of our coun- 
try. 

"Reso/ved, fourth. That the people 
of the whole country, irrespective of 
party affiliation, are requested to meet 
at the City Hall on the first Tuesday in 
March, next, for the purpose of ratify- 
ing the foregoing resolutions." 

The resolutions were adopted with 
only one dissenting vote. Mr. C. H. 
Smith then offered the following res- 
olution : 

"Resolved, That all persons who 
voted for the foregoing resolutions sign 
the same." 

Unanimously carried. Messrs. W. 
B. Terhune, R. D. Harvey, G. S. Black, 
H. Allen Smith, F. C. Shropshire, T. 



E. Williamson and J. W. H. Under- 
wood had discussed certain features of 
the matter. Meeting then adjourned 
after thanking the officers. 

On Thursday, May 10, 1860, Capt. 
Dwinell sounded this warning", 
which, by the way, was highly 
prophetic of 1922: 

There has, perhaps, been no time 
since the organization of our govern- 
ment when the public mind has been 
so completely in confusion as it now is 
throughout this section of the country. 
The great party that has for years 
claimed to be the only national one in 
existence is disrupted and thousands 
of its members now stand aghast, in 
confused amazement and know not 
what to do. A fearful struggle be- 
tween love of party and patriotism is 
going on in their breasts, and cow- 
ardly demagogues with timid haste and 
pale-faced alarm are clambering up on 
the neutral fences and getting ready 
at the first safe moment to jump to 
the stronger side. The people should 
mark these misci-eant poltroons who 
now with cringing cowardice sneak be- 
hind; they will soon appear upon the 
side of the majority and ask to be made 
leaders of the victorious hosts. 

A fearful responsibility now rests 
upon the shoulders of every citizen of 
the South. Political parties are to a 
great extent broken up and disorgan- 
ized and every individual now has to 
advise himself without the aid of po- 
litical leaders. Under these circum- 
stances every man should be cautious 
and prudent, but unwaveringly deter- 
mined to do right and perform his 
duty whatever that may be. Old party 
names and distinctions should be 
thrown to the dogs, and, actuated by 
pure patriotism, all men should buckle 
on their armour and volunteer to fight 
for our unmistakable constitutional 
rights and the permanent prosperity 
of our most sacred institutions. 

In these times of political excite- 
ment there is danger that the people, 
being exasperated, may be carried to 
extremes; therefore be on your guard, 
and "let all the ends thou aimest at be 
thy country's, God's, and truth's." Bear 
in mind that you are now at least com- 
pletely untrammelled, and it is your 
most imperative duty, with patriotic 
zeal, boldly to contend for justice and 
the rights of your section. Think not 
too much of "choosi7ig between evils," 
but rather make a determined choice 
between 7-ight and wrong. "If the Lord 
be God, serve Him, if Baal, serve him." 



Views and Events Leading up to War 



119 




120 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



The election of President of the 
United States was to be held Tues- 
day, Nov. 6, 1860. The tickets in 
the field were Abraham Lincoln, of 
Illinois, and Hannibal Hamlin, of 
Maine, nominated by the Repub- 
licans, or "Black Republicans," as 
they were called at the South ; 
Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, and 
Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, 
put forward by the "Squatter Sov- 
ereignty"* hosts ; Jno. C. Breckin- 
ridge, of Kentucky, and Jos. Lane, 
of Indiana (a native of Buncombe 
County, N. C), running on the 
American or "Know Nothing" plat- 
form ; and John Bell,** of Tennes- 
see, and Edward Everett, of Mass- 
achusetts, representing the Consti- 
tutional Union party.*** 

The Courier supported Bell and 
Everett and carried Floyd County 
for them ; the rival newspaper, the 
Southern & Advertiser, backed 
Breckinridge and Lane and got 
them second place. Douglas and 
Johnson Avere a poor third; they 
split the Democratic vote of the 
United States with Breckinridge 
and Lane, else Lincoln might have 
been defeated. 

On Monday, Apr. 23, 1860, the 
various factions held a national 
convention at Charleston, S. C. 
This proved to be a hot session for 
the delegates; the disunionists 
Withdrew, and it was voted to ad- 
journ the convention to Baltimore 
Md., for June 18, 1860. Editor 
Dwniell attended the Charleston 
meetnig, and sent back to his read- 
ers some vivid accounts of the tur- 
moil and strife. 

The Romans, always ready with 
mass meetings and resolutions, met 
Tuesday, May 3, 1860, to adopt a 
policy. Here is an account of the 
proceedings, as presented in The 
Courier of two days later : 

Democratic Meeting. — We publish 
in another column the resolutions 
adopted by the Democratic party of 
Floyd County on last Tuesday. They 
fully sustain the seceders from the 



Charleston Convention and deal a 
death blow to Squatter Sovereignty in 
this county. 

F. C. Shropshire, Esq., offered a 
substitute, according honesty and pa- 
triotic motives to the seceders, but re- 
fusing to say whether they acted right 
or wrong. Hon. J. H. Lumpkin re- 
viewed the history of the party for 
four years past ; from the adoption of 
the Cincinnati platform to the deser- 
tion of Douglas; from the rise of 
Squatter Sovereignty to the adjourn- 
ment of the Charleston Convention. He 
gave a succinct, clear and correct re- 
cital of the action of this body; the de- 
termination of Judge Douglas' friends, 
the enemies of the South, to force him 
upon us, and repudiate the Constitu- 
tional rights of the South so clearly 
defined by the Supreme Court, and pre- 
sented in the majority platform by 
seventeen Democratic States — fifteen 
of which were slave states. He showed 
that no course was left for Southern 
men who respected the rights and 
equality of their section but to with- 
draw from the Squatters. 

Mr. Shropshire followed in support 
of his resolutions. He exhorted Dem- 
ocrats to harmonize. He told them 
that the party had been pledged since 
1847 to abide by the principles of non- 
intervention by Congress with slavery 
in any way, and they should be faithful 
to their pledge, and stand by their 
Northern friends who had stood by 
them. He wound up with a most af- 
fecting appeal. He assured them the 
party would be ruined unless there was 
a compromise; he begged his friends 
opposed to him to yield a little — just a 
little — and the great Democratic party 
would once more unfurl its proud ban- 
ner, etc., etc. 

W. B. Terhune, Esq., made a few 
pointed remarks in favor of the ma- 
jority report; read the resolution 
adopted by the December convention; 
said the seceding delegates had acted 
in accordance with the principles there- 
in laid down and they should be sus- 
tained by the party. He moved to lay 
Mr. Shropshire's substitute on the ta- 
ble, which was carried by an over- 
whelming vote. 

*According to Avery's History of Georgia, 
p. 103, the "squatter sovereignty doctrine 
claimed the right of territorial legislatures to 
determine the question of slavery in the terri- 
tories." 

**As a member of Congress in 1835, Mr. Bell 
was requested by John Ross to call for an in- 
vestigation of the arrest of Ross and John 
Howard Payne by the Georgia Guard. 

***It appears from this line-up that a delib- 
erate effort was made to split the vote of the 
South and throw the plum to Lincoln. 



Views and Events Leading up to War 



121 



The report of the committee was 
then adopted with only four or five 
dissenting voices. 

We observed the same distinction 
between the speeches of Messrs. Lump- 
kin and Terhune on one side and Mr. 
Shropshire on the other, which char- 
acterized the debate in the Charleston 
convention and the letters of distin- 
guished Democrats in reply to the Ma- 
con committee. 

The two former spoke for principle, 
for the Constitution and Southern 
equality, while the latter spoke for 
party and nothing but party. 

Resolutions Adopted. — First. That 
the protection of all the rights, both 
of person and property of all citizens, 
is the sole legitimate purpose for which 
Governments are instituted. 

Second. That the Federal Govern- 
ment of the States of the Union is 
bound, to the full extent of the powers 
delegated to it by them, to protect all 
citizens of all the states, in all 
their rights of person and property, 
everywhere, and more especially upon 
the public domain, their common prop- 
erty. 

Third. That a large and increasing 
majority of the people, under the 
name of Black Republicans, of the 
Eastern, Middle and Northwestern 
States, are striving to get control of 
the Federal Government, with the 
avowed purpose of withholding this 
protection from more than three thous- 
and millions of Southern property, and 
of thus putting this property in a state 
of outlawry, in a government which 
derives from it more than two-thirds of 
all its revenues. 

Fourth. That, therefore, the demand 
made by the Southern delegates to- the 
Chai'leston convention of a distinct 
recognition of the equal right of South- 
ern citizens and property to protection 
by the Common Government, upofn 
common soil, was highly expedient, 
reasonable and just. 

Fifth. That the obstinate refusal of 
the delegations from the sixteen States 
now under the control of the Black 
Republicans, to make this recognition, 
demanded by the seventeen Democratic 
States of the Union, and recognized 
as just by many individual delegates 
from all the States, gives painful evi- 
dence that a majority of those deleg^^- 
tions already sympathize with the 
Black Republicans in their unrelenting 
hostility to our Constitutional rights. 

Sixth. That the withdrawal of a 
large portion of the Southern delegates 
from the convention upon this une- 



quivocal manifestation of sectional 
hostility to our rights was wise, nnanly 
ayid patriotic, and entitles them to the 
thanks of the tvhole Southern people. 

Seventh. That we will appear by our 
delegates in the convention, to be held 
at Milledgeville, on the 4th day of June 
next, to deliberate upon the course to 
be pursued by the Democratic party of 
Georgia, in the present condition of po- 
litical affairs. 

Eighth. That if a majority of that 
convention shall deem it expedient that 
Georgia should be represented at the 
adjourned meeting of the Charleston 
convention, to take place at Baltimore, 
on the 18th of June next, we will con- 
sent to it for the sake of harmony, but 
upon the express condition that we will 
not be bound by the action of that 
body unless it shall give its assent in 
sincerity of purpose and good faith to 
the principles contended for by the 
Democratic states at Charleston, and 
give us in addition a sound candidate. 

The lightning-rod salesman was 
smother "gentleman from the 
North" for whom Floyd County 
citizens kept peeled an eager eye. 
The Courier of Aug. 30, 1860, stat- 
ed that a correspondent of The Sa- 
vannah News, writing inider date 
of Aug. 10 from the Steamship 
Montgomery, declared a man on 
board by the name of John Owens, 
of Erie County, N. Y., who had been 
putting up lightning rods in Geor- 
gia and West Florida, had asserted 
that John Brown died in a good 
cause, and he (Owens) would be 
willing to lay down his life for the 
same ; also that he announced his 
intention of returning to the South. 

"Last year a man by the name 
of Owens, selling patent lightning 
rods, passed through this county 
and met with considerable success," 
continued The Courier. "He had 
much to say against abolitionists, 
which was a suspicious circum- 
stance. Let us be on the watch for 
him, and when he returns, have an 
investigation. Will not The Savan- 
nah News obtain from its corre- 
spondent a description of John 
Owens, in order that he may be 
identified on his return?" 



122 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




MINIATURE PORTRAITS OF TWO "OLD TIMERS." 

Dr. and Mrs. Jno. Wesley Connor, the parents of Prof. W. O. Connor, of Cave Spring. 
Mrs. Connor was Henrietta Mayson, of Ninety-Six, S. C. As a girl she met Gen. LaFayette, 
who pronounced her the prettiest young lady he had seen in America. She lies buried in 
the Cave Spring cemetery. 



A "Lincoln defeat" was seen by 
The Courier of Thursday, Sept. 1, 
1860: 

Lincoln's Defeat Certain. — Hereto- 
fore we had little hope that the Black 
Republican candidate could be defeat- 
ed. With the opponents of that party 
divided and belligerent we saw no pos- 
sible chance to avoid the disgi-ace of a 
Black Republican Administration. But 
our fears have vanished, for the defeat 
of Lincoln is now fixed. 

The Rome Light Guards received 
their caps by July 4, 1860, and by 
Sept. 22, 1860, one of the brilliant 
sample uniforms appeared. This 
uniform was of blue cloth, scarlet 
trimmings and gold buttons, and 
made the boys of the other com- 
panies extremely envious of the 
wearers. 

The desire of the political lead- 
ers for the Cherokee Georgia vote 
was emphasized in the autumn of 
1860 by the appearance in Rome of 
some of the "biggest guns" in the 
state and section. No such an ar- 



ray of orators has ever declaimed 
against Rome's mountain slopes. 

On Thursday, Sept. 20, I860, 
Wm. L. Yancey, of Alabama, whose 
speeches did as much as any other 
agency to stir the war spirit in 
the South, spoke at Kingston, and 
a large crowd of Romans went on 
a Rome Railroad excursion to hear 
him. 

On Thursday, Sept. 27, 1860, Sen- 
ator Alfred Iverson, of Columbus, 
addressed a crowd at the City Hall. 
Alexander H. Stephens sat on the 
platform at this meeting, but de- 
clined to make a speech. He spoke 
on the day following at a barbecue 
at Floyd Springs, after an intro- 
duction by Judge Augustus R. 
Wright. 

On Saturday, Sept. 29, 1860, Benj. 
H. Hill spoke at Sloan, Berry & 
Company's warehouse. On Mon- 
day, Oct. 22, 1860, Mr. Hill spoke 
again. On this latter occasion he 
was proceeding to Cedartown to 



Views and Events Leading up to War 



123 



assist in the defence of Col. J. J. 
Morrison, charged before the Polk 
Superior Court with kilHng Thos. 
W. Chisohii on the day of the last 
general election. 

On Monday, Oct. 29, 1860, Steph- 
en A. Douglas ("The Little Gen- 
eral"), spoke for his presidential 
ticket at Kingston, and was heard 
by many from Rome. 

The county was on the brink of 
the war precipice, ready for a head- 
long tumble in. 

From the Tri-Weekly Courier 
of Tuesday morning, Dec. 4, 1860, 
we quote to illustrate the rising 
war sentiment : 

"Georgia's Only Hope of Safety Is in 
Secession." — A large portion of this 
paper is devoted to an extract from a 
letter with the above heading. We 
publish this instead of the speech of 
Judge Benning, believing that it pre- 
sents a clearer and stronger argument 
in favor of secession than the speech 
alluded to. In the statement of our 
grievances the writer makes out a very, 
very strong case and proves very con- 
clusively — what we believe most peo- 
ple are ready to admit — that Georgia 
ought to resist abolition encroachments. 

Our Legislature in calling the con- 
vention state that fact and we have 
heard no man deny it; and the appro- 
priation of a million of dollars, which 
everybody favors, confirms the pur- 
pose of a firm, determined resistance 
on the part of Georgia. Now, if we 
admit what the writer's argument 
seems to imply, viz: that the entire 
North is irredeemably demoralized and 
not at all worthy to be trusted, then 
how is it that separate State action is 
to be more effectual against them than 
the united strength of all the parties 
aggrieved by their hostility? We are 
as much in favor of resistance as this 
letter writer or any one else, but for 
our life we can see no sense in each 
one of the fifteen States that have been 
aggrieved, setting up a separate and 
independent mode of retaliation; nor 
any propriety in separately running 
belter skelter from the common enemy. 

As the matter now stands, the entire 
South is arraigned in solid columns 
against the North. There are fifteen 
independent brigades on our side and 
eighteen of the enemy. The enemy 
have been practicing a garilla warfare 
upon us until "forbearance has ceased 



to be a virtue," and now along our en- 
tire lines there is such a state of con- 
sternation and excitement as was never 
before witnessed in trying to deter- 
mine "what shall be done." Two or 
three brigades seem determined, re- 
gardless of the action of the others, to 
break ranks and retreat immediately. 
Nearly every brigade has called a coun- 
cil of war, while all are arming them- 
selves for a fight. 

What say you, men of the Georgia 
brigade? Will you retreat at once, and 
without even consulting the other brig- 
ades of this great army — those that 
have protected your right and left 
wings, that have been your "front 
guard and rear ward" during a cam- 
paign of 84 years? Most surely you 
will not. The generous bravery that 
swells the bosoms of Georgia's noble 
sons would not allow them to be 
treacherous to an ene^ny; then how 
much less to true and long tried 
friends. 

This vexed slavery question must 
and will be speedily settled, in some 
way or another. But whatever is done, 
let us not have a divided South. "A 
house divided against itself cannot 
stand." 

Floyd County Meeting. — The follow- 
ing are the resolutions passed in the 




BISHOP THOMAS FIELDING SCOTT, of Ma- 
rietta, who was the leading light in the es- 
tablishment of St. Peter's Episcopal church. 



124 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



meeting of citizens at the City Hall, 
on Monday the 3rd instant: 

Resolved, That the time has arrived 
when it becomes the duty of every 
friend of Georgia to discard partizan 
feelings and purposes, and unite in an 
earnest effort to maintain her rights, 
secure her liberties, and vindicate her 
honor. 

Resolved. That this Union of South- 
ern heads and hearts being an indis- 
pensable pre-requisite to efficient ac- 
tion, we pledge ourselves to do every- 
thing in our power to promote, estab- 
lish and maintain it. 

Resolved. That we recognize the 
clearly expressed will of a majority of 
the people of Floyd county as the rule 
of action, binding upon their represen- 
tatives, in any convention of the peo- 
ple of Georgia. 

Resolved, That we hereby request 
our Senator and Representatives in the 
General Assembly of this State' to pro- 
cure the following demands by said 
General Assembly to be made by joint 
resolutions or otherwise, upon the Nor- 
thern States, viz: 

First. To repeal all personal liberty 
bills and other Legislative enactments 
to defeat the rendition of fugitive 
slaves. 

Second. The enactment in lieu there- 
of of "efficient laws to facilitate such 
recovery in accordance with their plain 
constitutional obligations." 

Third. The prompt and faithful sur- 
render of all fugitives from justice and 
violators of the laws of the slavehold- 
ing states. 

Fourth. The immediate release of all 
Southern citizens unjustly imprisoned 
for seeking to recover their fugitive 
slaves. 

Fifth. A distinct acknowledgement 
and faithful observance of the right of 



Southern citizens to settle with their 
negro property in any territory of the 
United States, and there hold it like all 
other property under the protection of 
just laws faithfully administered so 
long as the territorial condition shall 
last. 

Sixth. The repeal of all laws giving 
to free negi'oes the privilege of voting 
for members of Congress or for Elec- 
tors of President and Vice-President 
of the United States. 

Seventh. The co-operation of the Sen- 
ators and Representatives of said 
State in the Congress of the United 
States in procuring the repeal of a 
pretended law to prevent the slave 
trade in the District of Columbia. 

Resolved. That in the event the 
states upon which these just and rea- 
sonable demands shall be made by the 
Legislative Assembly in the name, and 
on the behalf of the people of Georgia, 
shall give unmistakable evidence of a 
determination to accede to them, in 
good faith, by or before the 16th of 
January next, Georgia shall abide in 
the Union, otherwise secession is the 
only adequate remedy left her for the 
maintenance of her interests, rights, 
liberties and honor. 

Resolved, That this Assembly will 
now proceed to select by general ballot 
three candidates to represent the peo- 
ple of Floyd County in a general con- 
vention of the people of Georgia to be 
convened at Milledgeville on Wednes- 
day, the 16th of January next.* 

The above resolutions, we are in- 
formed, were unanimously adopted. In 
accordance with the last, the following 
gentlemen were nominated, viz: Col. 
Simpson Fouche, Col. James Word and 
F. C. Shropshire, Esq. 

*It was at this convention that Georgia se- 
ceded from the Union. 




><^ -^ Cs 



CHAPTER VII. 
Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities 




HE following accounts from 
The Courier set forth elo- 
quently the final act pre- 
ceding the war drama of 
1861-5. They were written partly 
by Mr. Dwinell, who had just re- 
turned to the editorial sanctum 
after a vacation at East Poultney, 
\''t., and partly by his brilliant as- 
sociate, George Trippe Stovall ; 
and they are arranged chronolog- 
ically as an aid to the reader. Mr. 
Lincoln was elected Tuesday, Nov. 
6. 1860. 



It has been suggested that the 11 
o'clock service on Sunday, the 4th of 
November next be devoted to repent- 
ance, humihation, and prayer to Al- 
mighty God, in all the churches of the 
land — that the country may be deliver- 
ed from the terrible crisis which 
threatens us, and that peace and har- 
mony may be restored to all sections. — 
Oct.' 27, i860. 



A Final Appeal.- — Before the next 
issue of The Weekly Courier w^ill be 
printed, the die virill be cast, and the 
fate of this Union, it may be, will be 
doomed forever. All our efforts for a 
fusion in Georgia have failed, and now 
there is no patriotic course left for 
Union men but to concentrate their 
strength, so far as they possibly can, 
upon the best Union candidate that is 
offered for their suffrages. Is there 
any doubt but that this man is John 
Bell of Tennessee? 

Surely no candid and reasonable 
man will allow himself to be deceived 
by the numerous false and ridiculous 
charges as to Mr . Bell's soundness 
upon the slavery question. He is a 
Southern man, and a large slave hold- 
er, and a calm and impartial study of 
his true record, while it shows him to 
be a man of moderate and discreet 
counsel, it demonstrates that upon the 
question of slavery and Southern in- 
terests he is unquestionably safe, 
sound, firm and reliable. 

We appeal to Democrats, why can- 
not you vote for John Bell? We ask 
you to support him not as a Whig, a 
know Nothing, nor as a representa- 
tive of any of the old defunct parties, 



but as a Constitutional man and a pa- 
triot. ''The Union, the Constitution 
and the Enforcement of the Laivs," is 
the motto inscribed upon his banner. 
Apart from his record it is his only 
platform. And what more do you de- 
sire than this? We know that politi- 
cians try to ridicule and have sought 
to throw contempt upon this platform. 
But does it not contain all the South 
has ever asked or desired? Such were 
the principles on which the early Pres- 
idents of the Republic were elected. 
They had no long-winded platforms to 
gull and to deceive the people. Why 
should we want them? For 50 years 
the Government was administered with- 
out platforms, and all portions of the 
country were harmonious and happy. 
On the contrary, since the adoption of 
platforms by party conventions, sec- 
tional animosities have continually 
harrassed the people, thousands of 
demagogues have sprung up like mush- 
rooms upon the body politic, the peace 
of the country is destroyed, and 30,- 
000,000 of people stand today trembling 
in view of the impending crisis which 
hangs like a muttering storm cloud 
above them, threatening to pour out 
upon the country at any moment all 
the appalling horrors of civil war, 
bloodshed and ruin! 

This is no false picture, but an 
alarming reality. Lincoln may, and 
probably will, be elected, and in three 
weeks from today, little as you now 
think it, we will probably witness the 
outburst of the smouldering flames of 
one of the most awful civil conflagra- 
tions which the world has ever seen! 

Voters of Georgia, Look to Your In- 
terest. — On next Tuesday, November 
6th, by far the most important elec- 
tion since the organization of our gov- 
ernment is to take place. In former 
strifes party success was the stake con- 
tended for; but noiv the vo-y existence 
of the government is in jeopardy. The 
question as to how a man shall vote, 
always important, is now freighted 
with fearful responsibility. Every 
man should bring the question serious- 
ly home to himself and vote from his 
own conscientious convictions of duty, 
just as if he knew the fate of this Re- 
public depended on his individual ac- 
tion. 

The success or defeat of the Union 
ticket, will — ^^if civil war should hinge 



126 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



upon this fact, as it may — make a dif- 
ference of at least 20 per cent in the 
value of all kinds of property through- 
out the country. A man then worth 
$1,000 has at stake a pecuniary inter- 
est of $200; if worth $10,000 he risks 
$2,000. If a man is largely in debt he 
will be utterly ruined; for, after the 
depression of property he cannot pos- 
sibly pay out. A laboring man will 
find his wages reduced from a dollar 
and a half a day to one dollar, and the 
chances for getting work at all will 
be greatly reduced. 

It may be said that pecuniary con- 
siderations ai'e beneath the notice of 
patriots. This may be true or it may not. 
Interest should not be weighed against 
prhiciple. But that is not the case 
now. We now have princifple, patriot- 
is7n and interest all on one side of the 
scales and on the other side, party ism, 
sectional strifes and animosities, and it 
may be civil war itself. No reasona- 
ble man in his senses has a shadow 
of a doubt but that John Bell, if elect- 
ed, would restore peace and harmony 
to the country by giving their consti- 
tutional rights to all sections; and this 
is all the South wants, or has ever 
asked for. It is almost certain that 
three-fourths of the Southern States 
will cast their votes for this noble pa- 
triot and pure statesman. Georgia can 
be carried the same way. Union men 
of Cherokee Georgia, what say you? In 
other sections of the State our friends 
are striving earnestly and hopefully. 
Let us faithfully perform our duty and 
all may yet be well. 

Judge Douglas at Kingston. — On last 
Monday a large crowd, probably 3,000 
men, assembled to hear the celebrated 
"Little Giant" upon the political issues 
of the day. The very crowded state of 
our columns today prohibits any ex- 
tended notice of his speech. We be- 
lieve all parties were well pleased with 
the entertainment as an exhibition of 
popular oratory, were deeply impressed 
with the greatness of the man, and de- 
lighted at the beauty of his wife, who 
accompanies him in his Southern tour. 

The distinction between Squatter 
and Popular Sovereignty, the latter of 
which only he advocates, he made very 
clear. His whole argument sustaining 
his peculiar doctrines was, to say the 
least, very ingenious and plausible, 
and in many respects unanswerable. 
Douglas' speeches are everywhere es- 
sentially the same, and those who 
would know his position should read 
them in full.— Thursday, Nov. 1, 1860. 



Let Not Rash Councils Prevail. — If 
the election that takes place today re- 
sults in the choice of Abraham Lincoln, 
of Illinois, for President for the next 
four years, there will then rest upon 
the shoulders of every individual citi- 
zen duties of fearful magnitude and 
vital importance, both to himself and 
the commonwealth. There will, in that 
event, doubtless be a diversity of opin- 
ion as to what the South ought to do.j 
and every good citizen should calmly 
and coolly investigate the whole subject 
and decide for himself the proper 
course of action. There will be no 
need for hairbrained demagogues to 
be attempting to "fire the Southern 
heart." The chivalrous and patriotic 
citizens of the South are not stupid 
dolts that have to be "fired" up to a 
realizing sense of their own rights, 
honor or interests. The people need 
the truth, the whole truth, aJid nothing 
but the truth, in order to arouse them 
to any reasonable course of conduct. 

The people should beware of rash 
counsels, and not suff"er themselves to 
be inveigled into the support of im- 
practical and foolish movements, or 
"precipitated" into a revolution. If 
revolution must come, let us go into it 
deliberately, with clear heads and 
steady nerves, and because we know it 
to be our patriotic duty to do so. But 
if Lincoln should be elected, he will not 
have so much power as some people 
suppose, and it is reported that he is 
already tremendously frightened lest 
he should be elected!— Now. 6, 1860. 



For Tax Receiver. — We are request- 
ed to announce the name of H. P. 
Lumpkin as candidate for Tax Re- 
ceiver of Floyd County at the ensuing 
January election. 

For Solicitor General. — We are au- 
thorized to announce the name of M. 
Kendrick, of Newnan, Coweta county, 
as a candidate for the office of Solic- 
itor General of the Tallapoosa circuit. 
Election first Wednesday in January 
next. 

H. A. Gartrell, Esq.—Mv. Editor: 
Please allow us to announce the above 
named gentleman as a candidate for 
Solicitor General of the Tallapoosa 
Circuit. MANY VOTERS. 

Rome Market Nov. 7. — Cotton is a 
little dull — 10 1/^! cts. may now be con- 
sidered the top of the market. 

Unofficial Vote of Floyd Co. — The 
following statement, though not offi- 
cial, will probably not vary more than 
two or three votes from the exact re- 
sult: 



Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostitities 



127 




128 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Precincts. Bell. Breck. Doug. 

Rome 462 360 160 

N. Carolina 55 66 21 

Barker's 15 41 6 

Livingston 26 50 

Flat Woods 22 8 5 

Cave Spring 64 60 34 

Wolf Skin 63 60 34 

Watters 70 39 6 

Chulio 51 22 10 

Dirt Town 4 35 13 

Etowah 18 1 

Total 848 756 286 

We have compared the above with 
the official vote and find it accurate. 

A Card. — Mr. Editor: I desire 
through the city papers to return my 
sincere thanks to the merchants for 
refusing to sell spirituous liquors on 
the day of the election, but more espe- 
cially "to those gentlemen engaged in 
the retail business. They closed their 
doors and did no business whatever. It 
was asking a great deal of all, it being 
a public day and a good one for that 
trade, but they made the promise and 
adhered to it with fidelity. To them 
we are mainly indebted for the peace, 
quiet and good order that prevailed 
throughout the entire day. Respect- 
fully. H. A. GARTRELL, 

Mayor City of Rome. 

Polk County. — A gentleman who left 
Polk County on Wednesday morning 
informs us that all the precincts but 
two had been heard from, and Bell was 
66 votes ahead of Breckinridge. Doug- 
las' vote would probably be 100. 

Chattooga County. — Sufficient re- 
turns have been received to make it 
certain that Bell will carry this county ' 
by a large plurality, probably 100 or 
more. 

Delegates. — F. C. Shropshire, Z. B. 
Hargrove and M. Dwinell have been 
appointed to represent the Rome 
"Light Guards" in the Military Con- 
vention to be held in Milledgeville on 
next Monday. 

The End. — The contest is over and it 
may be that the destiny of this gov- 
ernment is sealed. It now becomes us 
to hope for the best, but at the same 
time be making preparations for the 
worst. We do not wish to intimate 
that it is necessary to be organizing 
military companies, or enrolling minute 
men in case Lincoln is elected, with the 
expectation of immediately fighting 
our Northern enemies; but our prepa- 
rations should be constitutional and 
lawful in their character with a deep 
and unswerving determination to 



maintain our rights 7h the Union if 
possible, out of it if we must. The 
course pursued by the South should be 
firm and determined, but so clearly 
right and unavoidable for the main- 
tenance of her honor and essential in- 
terests that there shall be no division 
among her own people, but that all as 
one great harmonious whole shall in 
thunder tones demand not only of the 
North but of the entire civilized world 
a recognition of her clearly defined and 
unmistakable rights. 

While no spirit of base submission 
should be encouraged or even tolerated, 
yet at the same time any course of 
rash or precipitating conduct would be 
equally reprehensible and injurious to 
the prospects of our section. There 
are many men in the South who have 
for a long time believed that our sa- 
cred rights and untarnished honor 
cannot be maintained in the Union; 
and that it is both the interest and 
duty of the South to effect a separation 
as soon as possible. Many of these 
men are among our most wealthy, tal- 
ented and most highly respected citi- 
zens, and they are as conscientious in 
their convictions of duty as any class 
of men in the country. 

This class of persons, however, we 
believe is comparatively small and that 
the great mass of the people still cling 
to the Union, firmly believing that the 
Constitution will be enforced and the 
rights of the South maintained. This 
being the case and it being well known 
to all that these differences exist, it be- 
comes the representatives of each of 
these classes of opinions to be courte- 
ous and kind to the other and studi- 
ously avoid anything like crimination 
or the impugning of their motives. No 
class can rightfully arrogate to them- 
selves all the patriotism or chivalry or 
that they are more ready to make per- 
sonal sacrifice upon the altar of our 
section than others who do not agree 
with them as to the best plan of se- 
curing the greatest permanent good 
of us all. 

We have said this much to be, per- 
haps, of service in case that Lincoln is 
elected, because, if that is the case, we 
desire above all things to see a united 
South, and that the deliberations of 
our section should be characterized by 
high-toned statesmanship that may re- 
sult in cool deliberations and harmo- 
nious action.* 

As it Should Be. — The election in this 
place passed off as quietly and peace- 

*This editorial and others like it caused Geo. 
T. Stovall to resign as associate editor of The 
Courier and buy the Southerner and Advertiser. 



Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities 



129 



ably and with as much good nature as 
possible. Every grocery was closed, 
and we did not hear of an angry quar- 
rel or see a drunken man in Rome on 
that day. Many men were much ex- 
cited but their deep interest was ex- 
hibited rather by their calm but firm 
determination than by noisy outbursts 
and senseless criminations of their op- 
ponents. The beautiful quiet that pre- 
vailed in our city was indeed a fact to 
be proud of, and we most sincerely hope 
that the same good sense and high ap- 
preciation of dignity and decorum will 
always prevail on similar occasions. 

There were nine hundred and eighty- 
two votes polled at this precinct, which 
is nearly two hundred more than at 
any previous election. — Nov. 8, 1860. 



To Whom it Concerns. — All indebted 
to us must pay immediately or be sued. 
JONES & SCOTT. 

The Vote in Ga. — Of the 44 counties 
heard from, the vote stands: For Bell, 
20,483; for Breckinridge, 18,863, and 
for Douglas, 6,918. 

The Presbyterian Sabbath School 
will hold its anniversary next Sabbath 
afternoon at 3 o'clock in the Presby- 
terian church. Exercises — short ad- 
dress and singing. All are respect- 
fully invited to attend. 

Gordon Co. Vote.—BeW, 481; Breck., 
874; Doug., 97. 

( Communicated. ) 

• Notice. — All men, vdthout distinc- 
tion of party, who are opposed to Abo- 
lition domination, and in favor of re- 
sisting the same in such manner as the 
sovereignty of Georgia may order and 
direct, are requested to meet at the 
City Hall in Rome on Monday, the 12th 
inst., at 2 o'clock to consider what 
course interest, duty and patriotism 
require them to pursue as good citizens 
and true Southerners. 

We are requested to publish the fol- 
lowing ticket for Mayor and Council- 



men : 



FOR MAYOR 

DR. T. J. WORD 

FOR COUNCILMEN 

First Ward 

FRANK AYER 

J. C. PEMBERTON 

Second Ward 

O. B. EVE 
A. J. PITNER 

Third Ward 

WM. RAMEY 

JOHN R. FREEMAN 



The Die Is Cast. — The great strug- 
gle is over and our worst fears are! re- 
alized. Abraham Lincoln, the sectional 
candidate, who was nominated and 
supported to a large extent because of 
his hostility to the institutions of the 
South, has been elected by a fair ma- 
jority. The present indications are 
that he will surely get 158 votes, and 
possibly 169, whereas 152 would elect 
him. 

And now this state of circumstances, 
for which the great mass of the people 
are almost entirely unprepared, sud- 
denly bursts upon them, and demands 
at their hands an immediate solution 
of a most difficult political problem 
and one that will probably forever fix 
the destiny of all this fair land of 
ours. The idea of Lincoln's election 
has been frequently talked about, it is 
true, but it has always seemed to be 
at vague distance with its hideous de- 
formities, and has rather existed as a 
creature of the imagination than as 
one that could possibly have a reali- 
zation in the practical working of our 
Government. 

But hard as it may be to appreciate 
the hateful truth, yet it is a fact, and 
with unmistakable sternness it stares 
us in the face. The issue is upon us 
and we have got to meet it. Every 
man in Georgia has got a solemn duty 
to perform and it is one that by its im- 
mense magnitude makes small all the 
other acts of his life. What shall be 
done? is now the question of awful im- 
port that hangs upon the mind of every 
thoughtful man. Various plans for 
relief have already been proposed and 
they each have their advocates who ap- 
ply themselves with zeal and earn- 
estness. Discussion is altogether right 
and proper, and is probably the most 
effectual method of bringing out the 
truth and correct principles. But there 
is one thing that should always actu- 
ate men in the discussion of any sub- 
ject if they would be profited — that 
they should be as willing to receive 
truth as to impart it. Our relations 
to the general government are very 
complicated and few men can at a 
glance take in all its various bearings 
and dependencies and it may be that a 
course of conduct supposed to be ad- 
mirably adapted to our present exi- 
gencies would be proved to be entirely 
impractical because of the want of 
some necessary element that had been 
overlooked. Let us then not be rash 
or inconsiderate, but calm, cool and 
deliberate and in a free and friendly 
manner counsel with one another in 
regard to these momentous questions. 



130 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



The recommendation that has al- 
ready been made, that a State Con- 
vention should be called immediately, 
we most fully approve and hope the 
Legislature will at once issue a call 
for delegates from every county. We 
would suggest the number of delegates 
be the same as the number of Senators 
and Representatives in the Legislature. 
Let such men as Joseph Henry Lump- 
kin, Chas. J. McDonald, Alex H. Ste- 
phens, Wm. Law, Robt. Toombs, Her- 
schel V. Johnson, Hines Holt, Hiram 
Warner and others of experience and 
wisdom compose this Convention and 
the people will be almost sure to rat- 
ify their action, whatever it may be. 

Things He Can't Do. — Bad as he 
may be to our institutions, there are 
many important things Lincoln can- 
not do. As the Congress now stands, 
there is a majority of eight against 
him in the Senate, and, if the recent 
telegraph reports are correct, 23 in 
the House. It will be remembered that 
all the appointments of Cabinet offi- 
cers, Ministers to foreign courts. Con- 
suls, Custom House officers, and all 
other offices of any considerable trust 
or profit in the United States have to 
be filled "by and with the advice of the 
Senate." The President recommends 
men for all these various places, but 
their appointment is not complete until 
confirmed by the Senate. 

The Black Republicans will not be 
able, of their own strength, to carry a 
single bill through either House of the 
next Congress and it is thought by 
some that in less than a year, even if 
Lincoln should be allowed to go on 
with his administration, that his party 
would be torn to pieces by its own in- 
herent fanaticism and corruptions. But 
yet it may be better to secede than 
to suffer the disgrace of a Black Re- 
publican rule. If Georgia so decides in 
her sovereign capacity we shall go with 
her, heart and soul. — Nov. 10, 1860. 



Third Ward 

A. W. CALDWELL* 

A. R. HARPER 



Mr. Dwinell: — Please announce the 
following as the People's Ticket for 
Mayor and Aldermen for the ensuing 
year, and oblige, 

MANY VOTERS. 

FOR MAYOR 

Z. B. HARGROVE 

FOR COUNCILMEN 

First Ward 

N. J. OMBERG 

J. W. WOFFORD 

Second Ward 

O. B. EVE 

JOHN NOBLE 



FOR MAYOR** 

DR. T. J. WORD 

FOR COUNCILMEN 

First Ward 

W. F. AYER 

N. J. OMBERG 

Second Ward 

J. H. M'CLUNG 

C. H. SMITH 

Third Ward 

A. W. CALDWELL 

J. G. YEISER 

—Nov. 13, 1860. 

(From the Rome Southerner.) 
Meeting of the Citizens of Floyd 
County. — Below we publish resolutions 
and preamble passed at the citizens' 
meeting held in Rome on Monday, the 
12th inst. 

The attendance was large and very 
general from all parts of the county. 
We believe every district in the coun- 
ty was represented. We never saw 
resolutions pass more unanimously or 
more enthusiastically. To some of the 
resolutions there was one or two dis- 
senting voices. Most of them, however, 
passed unanimously. We were sorry 
to see even a single person in that 
large assembly who withheld his as- 
sent. If there ever was a time when 
the people of the South should be unit- 
ed, now is the time. If the Southern 
States, as one man, or even one or two 
of them, will show unanimity of senti- 
ment in opposition to Black Republi- 
can rule, and even if they withdraw 
from the Union as the last alternative, 
no gun of coercion will ever be fired 
by any power upon the face of the 
earth. Horace Greeley has already said 
in his paper, the N. Y. Tribune, that if 
any of the Southern States leave the 
Union by a vote of her people, he is 
in favor of letting her alone! 

Every man in the land, old and 
young, great and small, rich and poor, 
is interested in this question. Think 
of it. And if you can't go with your 
section, for Heaven's sake, and for the 
sake of your country, don't go against 
it! 

The resolutions: 

Whereas, the abolition sentiment of 
the Northern. States, first openly man- 
ifested in 1820, has, for the last 40 
years, steadily and rapidly increased 

*Jno. M. Quinn was later substituted. 
**Dr. Word was elected. 



Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities 



131 



in volume and in intensity of hostility 
to the form of society existing in the 
Southern States, and to the rights of 
these States as equal, independent and 
sovereign members of the Union; has 
led to long-continued and ever-increas- 
ing abuse and hatred of the Southern 
people; to ceaseless war upon their 
plainest Constitutional rights; to an 
open and shameless nullification of that 
provision of the Constitution intended 
to secure the rendition of fugitive 
slaves; and of the laws of Congress to 
give it effect; has led many of our peo- 
ple who sought to avail themselves of 
their rights under these provisions of 
the laws and the Constitution, to en- 
counter fines, imprisonment and death; 
has prompted the armed invasion of 
Southern soil, by stealth, amidst the 
sacred repose of a Sabbath night, for 
the diabolical purpose of inaugurating 
a ruthless war of the blacks against 
the whites throughout the Southern 
States; has prompted large masses of 
Northern people openly to sympathize 
with the treacherous and traitorous 
invaders of our country, and elevate 
the leaders of a band of mid-night as- 
sassins and robbers, himself an assas- 
sin and a robber, to the rank of a 
hero and a martyr; has sent far 
and wide over our section of the Un- 
ion its vile emissaries to instigate the 
slaves to destroy our property, burn 
our towns, devastate our country, and 
spread distrust, dismay and death by 
poison, among our people; has disrupt- 
ed the churches, and destroyed all na- 
tional parties, and has now fully or- 
ganized a party confined to a hostile 
section, and composed even there of 
those only who have encouraged, sym- 
pathized with, instigated or perpetrat- 
ed this long series of insults, outrages 
and wrongs, for the avowed purpose of 
making a common government, armed 
by us with power only for our protec- 
tion, an instrument in the hands of 
enemies for our destruction. 

Therefore, we, a portion of the peo- 
ple of Floyd County, regardless of all 
past differences, and looking above and 
beyond all mere party ends to the 
good of our native South, do hereby 
publish and declare: 

First. That Georgia is, and of right 
ought to be, a free, sovereign and in- 
dependent State. 

Second. That she came into the Un- 
ion with the other states as a sover- 
eignty, and by virtue of that sover- 
eignty, has the right to secede when- 
ever, in her sovereign capacity, she 
shall judge such a step necessary. 



Third. That in our opinion, she 
ought not to submit to the inaugura- 
tion of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal 
Hamlin, as her President and Vice- 
President, but should leave them to 
rule over those by whom alone they 
were elected. 

Fourth. That we request the Legis- 
lature to announce this opinion by res- 
olution, at the earliest practicable mo- 
ment, and to communicate it to our 
Senators and Representatives in Con- 
gress, and to co-operate with the Gov- 
ernor in calling a Convention of the 
people to determine on the mode and 
measure of redress. 

Fifth. That we respectfully recom- 
mend to the Legislature to take into 
their immediate consideration the pas- 
sage of such laws as will be likely to 
alleviate any unusual embarrassment 
of the commercial interests of the 
State consequent upon the present po- 
litical emergency. 

Sixth. That we respectfully suggest 
to the Legislature to take immediate 
steps to organize and arm forces of the 
State. 

Seventh. That copies of the forego- 
ing resolutions be sent without delay 
to our Senators and Representatives 
in the General Assembly of the State, 
who are hereby requested to lay them 
before the House of which they are 
respectively members. 

Obstructions in the Streets. — If it is 
not the duty of the City Marshall, it 
onght to be, to see that the rubbish 
about new buildings, old boxes about 
the stores, and wood piles everywhere 
in the streets, should not be left to 
discommode the public, but should be 
removed in a reasonable time. There 
are a lot of old casks in front of Mor- 
rison & Logan's stable that ought to 
have been removed long ago, and there 
seems to be unnecessary delay in re- 
moving fragments and other obstruc- 
tions on the sidewalks about several 
new buildings on Broad Street. 

Good Guns. — The arms for the "Rome 
Light Guards" were received on last 
Saturday. The guns are the Minie 
Rifle, that has, we believe, the highest 
reputation as an efficient weapon in 
actual service of any gun that has been 
tried. Only fifty guns are received, 
and if there are men in this commu- 
nity who desire to join the company 
they will do well to make early appli- 
cation. The company now numbers 
45, and is, in every way, in a prosper- 
ous condition. — Nov. 24, 1860. 



132 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



On Jan. 16, 1861, the Georgia 
counties sent delegates to the fa- 
mous secession convention at Mil- 
ledgeville. On Jan. 18, Judge Eu- 
genius A. Nisbet, of Macon, intro- 
duced a resolution calling for the 
appointment of a committee to re- 
port an ordinance of secession. This 
brought on a fight and a test of 
strength between the union and 
disunion factions. The resolution 
passed by a vote of 166 to 130.* At 
2 p. m., Jan. 19, 1861, the secession 
ordinance was passed by a vote of 
208 to 89, 44 anti-secessionists vot- 
ing for the measure to give it force, 
and realizing that further resist- 
ance was useless. On this ballot 
Benj. H. Hill voted for secession, 
but Alexander H. Stephens and his 
brother. Judge Linton Stephens, 
Herschel V. Johnson, Gen. W. T. 
Wofford, Hiram Warner and oth- 
er leaders opposed it. 

South Carolina had seceded Dec. 
20, 1860; Mississippi Jan. 9, 1861; 




JUDGE JAMES M. SPULLOCK, once super- 
intendent of the W. & A. railroad and a 
power in North Georgia politics. 



Alabama and Florida Jan. 11, 1861. 
Consequently, it was felt that 
Georgia's action would either split 
or cement the South. The forensic 
giants were there — a galaxy never 
seen before or since. Col. Isaac W. 
Avery gives us in his History of 
Georgia (ps. 149-50) a correct 
picture of the scene, and incidental- 
ly, emphasizes the opposition to 
secession among the more con- 
servative type of citizens : 

The eyes of the whole Union were 
upon this most august body. There 
was an interest in its deliberations 
that was both profound and wide- 
spread. It was felt to be the turning 
point of the real commencement of the 
revolution. If staid, self-poised, delib- 
erate, powerful Georgia held back from 
the work of disintegration, it would 
have been such a substantial check to 
the destructive movement as would 
have done much to stop it. Georgia''s 
co-operation rendered the revolution, 
sure. The Federal administration 
looked anxiously to our State as the 
crucial agency of the agitation. The 
people of the North focalized their at- 
tention upon this arbiter of an impend- 
ing and incalculable convulsion. 

It was known that a majority of the 
people favored secession, but the mi- 
nority in favor of co-operation and de- 
lay was a very large and powerful 
body of public sentiment, ably and pa- 
triotically headed. The vote taken in 
the election for members of the con- 
vention showed an aggregate of 50,243 
for secession and 37,123 against, giv- 
ing a majority of only 13,120 for im- 
mediate disunion, out of 87,366. This 
was a much smaller majority than Gov. 
Brown had obtained in his last elec- 
tion. 

In many counties the anti-secession- 
ists had heavy majorities. Such strong 
counties as Baldwin, Floyd, DeKalb, 
Cass, Franklin, Gordon, Gwinnett, 
Lumpkin, Murray, Walker, Walton 
and others went some of them over- 
whelmingly against disunion. In many 
counties it was the closest sort of a 
shave, giving either way only a vote 
or two. The most one-sided secession 
county in the whole state was Cobb, 
which gave 1,035 votes for and only 
7 against disunion. Chatham was also 
nearly unanimous for secession. In a 
very few counties no opposition can- 
didate to secession was run. In Tal- 



"Avery's History of Georgia, p. 15.3. 



Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities 



13 



iaferro and Tatnall no secession can- 
didate was put up. 

These figures will show how much 
the people were divided on this issue, 
and yet, in the crazy fever of the war 
excitement and the more noisy demon- 
strations of the secession champions, 
the opposition was almost unheard and 
absolutely impotent. A few brave 
spirits spoke out fearlessly, and cour- 
ageously endeavored to stem the rush- 
ing and turbulent tide of disunion. 
But the generality of conservative men, 
feeling powerless to do anything, and 
unwilling to incur a certain odium that 
clung to men alleged to be lukewarm 
or opposed to Southern interests, went 
quietly along simply voting in the op- 
position. 

The secession convention was the 
ablest body ever convened in Georgia. 
Its membership included nearly every 
leading public man in the State, the 
leaders of all parties and shades of 
political opinion. 

As for Georgia's contribution in 
men to the Confederate cause, Col. 
Avery's history (p. 267) states : 

The Second Auditor at Richmond 
published the following statement of 
soldiers' deaths to Dec. 31, 1863: Geor- 
gia, 9,504; Alabama, 8,987; North 
Carolina, 8,261; Texas, 6,377; Vir- 
ginia, 5,943; Mississippi, 5,367; South 
Carolina, 4,511; Louisiana, 3,039; Ten- 
nessee, 2,849; Arkansas, 1,948; Flor- 
ida, 1,119. 

It was an old custom in Geor- 
gia to illuminate houses brightly 
at night on the receipt of good 
news of a national or sectional na- 
ture. Consequently, the houses of 
Rome were lit up, guns discharged 
and the church bells rung merrily. 
A few Northern families compro- 
mised by lighting their candles, 
and Mrs. Robt. Battey was said 
to have been the only Southerner 
whose house was dark. Gen. Brax- 
ton Bragg soon passed through 
Rome on a tour of inspection, and 
meeting Mrs. Battey on Broad 
Street, said: "I understand Mrs. 
Battey is a Union woman." 

"So I am, General," she replied 
promptly. "I believe in fighting 
this war under the United States 
flag. Southerners were largely in- 
strumental in founding our Gov- 



ernment, and if anybody must get 
out of it, I say let not the first oc- 
cupants be the ones to go !" 

"You are not far from right, Mrs. 
Battey," observed Gen. Bragg as 
he hurried on about his business. 

There were many such incidents, 
and they showed the inherent in- 
dependence of thought and action 
of Georgians and the State of Geor- 
gia — an independence that has al- 
ways enabled Georgia to assume 
the initiative among her sister 
states, and to occupy a conspicu- 
ous and respectable position in the 
forum of the nation. Georgians 
can always be depended upon to 
fight among themselves (like Bill 
Arp's Romans — old man Laub and 
his wife and family), and to get 
together at a moment's notice to 
repel any foreign foe, such as In- 
dians, Yankees, Spaniards, Ger- 
mans or what not. 

During three terms, covering the 
Civil War, Gov. Jos. E. Brown, one 




MRS. .lAMKS M. SPULLOCK, who assisted 
her husband in the entertainment of some of 
the most noted men in Georgia. 



134 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



of the most peppery "Rebels" on 
earth, occupied the gubernatorial 
throne. 

"Cherokee" or Northwest Geor- 
gia had not long before staged a 
miniature war with the Indians, 
and it is significant that the dele- 
gates from the 21 counties in the 
Cherokee nation voted 35 against 
secession to 14 in favor, or 2% 
votes to one :* 

County. Yes. No. 

Cass 3 

Catoosa 1 1 

Chattooga 2 

Cherokee 3 

Dade 2 

Dawson 2 

Fannin 1 1 

Floyd 3 

Forsyth 1 1 

Gilmer 2 

Gordon 2 1 

Hall 3 

Lumpkin 2 

Milton -■ 2 

Murray 2 

Pickens - 2 

Polk 1 1 

Union 2 

Walker 3 

White 1 1 

Whitfield 1 2 

14 35 

It will be noticed by the above 
table that Floyd and her neigh- 
boring counties of Cass, Chattooga; 
Gordon, Polk and Walker voted 
six for and ten against. The dele- 
gates and the way they voted are 
given below : 

Cass— W. T. Wofford, No; H. F. 
Price, No; Turner H. Trippe, No. 

Chattooga — Wesley Shropshire, No; 
L. Williams, No. 

Floyd — Col. James Word, Yes; Col. 
Simpson Fouche, Yes; Frank C. Shrop- 
shire, Yes. 

Gordon — Wm. H. Dabney, Yes; Jas. 
Freeman, No; R. M. Young, Yes. 



Polk— W. E. West, Yes; T. W. Du- 
pree, No. 

Walker— G. G. Gordon, No; R. B. 
Dickerson, No; T. A. Sharpe, No. 

A lively glimpse of the inaugu- 
ration of Jefferson Davis as presi- 
dent and Alexander H. Stephens 
a'j vice-president of the Confeder- 
acy was given by Judge Augustus 
R. Wright, one of the organizers 
of the Government, in a letter of 
F'^b. 21, 1861 from Montgomery, 
Ala., to his daughter, Mrs. Mary 
Wright Shropshire, of Rome : 

My Dear Daughter: — We had a gay 
time at the President's inauguration. 
The President and Vice-President rode 
in a most superb carriage, glittering 
all over with silver and drav^Ti by six 
iron gray horses driven by two coach- 
men on the same seat. They** were 
fiery and impatient and beautifully 
caparisoned. The military companies 
with full bands preceded the several 
committees in fine carriages, and then 
followed the crowd. 

The Zouaves performed most won- 
derfully their new military exercise of 
vaulting, lying down and firing, falling 
on their backs and loading, and divers 
other most wonderful gymnastics. 

The oath taken by the President in 
the presence of that vast concourse 
was most solemn. When Mr. Cobb, 
who administered the oath, said, "So 
help me God," the President lifted his 
face to Heaven in the most solemn 
and energetic manner and said, "So 
help me God!" The band then played 
the Marseillaise hymn, after which the 
vast crowd gave three cheers for "Jeff 
Davis and Alexander Stephens," and 
began to disperse. 

"Sic transit gloria mundi!" How 
the mind turns from those pageants 
and panoplies of war to that peaceful 
reign of our King "when the wicked 
cease from troubling and the weary 
are at rest." 

Affectionately your father, 

AUGUSTUS R. WRIGHT. 



*Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials and Leg- 
ends, Vol. n, ps. 567-570. 
**The horses. 



PART III 

THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD 

1861-1865 



CHAPTER I. 
Opening of the Civil War^First Manassas 




T IS manifestly impossible 
in a work of this size to 
present more than a 
glimpse here and there of 
the wartime activities of Floyd's 
military companies and life of the 
people at home. All that can be 
done is to hit the "high spots" and 
trust that a historian wnll come 
along- some day who will devote 
to the period an entire book. 

The principal events of the 1861- 
65 period herein treated are the 
First Battle of Manassas (Va.), 
July 21, 1861 ; the chase Apr. 12, 
1862, after the Confederate engine 
General, in which a Rome locomo- 
tive was used" at Kingston ; the 
capture of Streight's Federal raid- 
ers Sunday, May 3, 1863, by an^in- 
ferior force under command of 
Gen. Forrest ; and the defense and 
occupation of Rome May 18, 1864, 
by Gen. Sherman. 

Rome itsejf was a concentration 
point for recruits from Northwest 
Georgia. Broad Street was a drill 
and parade ground. The newspa- 
pers and the churches were used to 
inflame the war spirit, and we 
have it on the authority of Hilliard 
Horry Wimpee,* who was then a 
boy of ten, that stump speakers 
sought to dissipate the impression 
of small numbers in the South by 
the flamboyant declaration that 
one "Reb" could whip ten 
"Yanks." In some of these speech- 
es the "Reb" could even suffer his 
left hand to be tied behind him. 

More than 2,000 men of Floyd 
County (including an occasional 

*Mr. Wimpee relates how he saw blood-drip- 
ping freight cars come into Rome with hundreds 
of wounded soldiers after the fall of Ft. Donel- 
son. 

**Co. G, First Ga. Cavalry. The name was 
undoubtedly taken from a company which op- 
erated under Gen. Jas. Hemphill and Maj. Chas. 
H. Nelson in 1835 and captured Chief Fosach 
FLxico. . 



contingent from an adjoining 
county) went out to protect their 
homes during the period of 1861- 
65. Including the home guard of 
ten companies (five of which were 
from Floyd) there was a total of 
20 companies of an average of 
more than 100 men, including re- 
cruits and replacements. The com- 
panies went to the front in ap- 
proximately the following order: 

Floyd Infantry, commanded by 
Capt. Jno. Frederick Cooper, who 
died at Culpepper Courthouse, Va., 
several weeks after he had received 
a serious wound at First Manas- 
sas ; Rome Light Guards, Capt. 
Edward Jones Magruder ; Miller 
Rifles, named after Dr. H. V. M. 
Miller, Capt. Jno. R. Towers; 
Floyd Sharpshooters, Capt. A. S. 
Hamilton; Flovd Springs Guards, 
Capt. M. R. Ballenger; Co. D, 65th 
Ga. Infantry, Capt. W. G. Foster; 
Berrv Infantrv, named after Capt. 
Thos. Berry, Capt. Thos. W. Alex- 
cinder; Sardis Volunteers, 6th Ga. 
Cavalry, Capt. Jno. R. Hart ; Fire- 
side Defenders, Capt. Robt. H. 
Jones ; Mitchell Guards, named 
after Danl. R. Mitchell, Capt. 
Zachariah B. Hargrove; Co. G, 
1st Confederate regiment, Ga. Vol- 
unteers, Capt. Jno. B. Bray; Co. 
A, 8th Georgia Battalion, Capt. W. 
H. H. Lumpkin ; Floyd Cavalry, 
Capt. Wade S. Cothran ; Gartrell's 
Cavalry (in 1863 a part of Forrest's 
command), Capt. Henry A. Gar- 
trell; Cherokee Artillery (later 
Corput's battery), Capt. Marcellus 
A. Stovall, Lieuts. Jno. H. Law- 
rence, Max Van Den Corput, J. G. 
Yeiser and Thos. W. Hooper , sur- 
geon, Dr. Robt. Battey, orderly 
sergeant, T. D. Attaway; High- 
land Rangers (Cave Spring), Capt. 
M. H. liaynie ; Highland Rangers** 



138 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



(Rome), Capt. J. h. Kerr; Booten 
and Harkins' Cavalry Company, 
Capt. Daniel F. Booten, Lieut. Jno. 
Harkins. The Rome Volunteers 
was a company in existence before 
the war. 

When the fighting at Chatta- 
nooga in 1863 threatened Rome, 
five home-guard companies were 
formed, and they were command- 
ed by Capt. J. H. Lawrence, Jack- 
son Trout, S. D. Wragg, Marcel- 
lus L. Troutman and C. Oliver 
Stillwell. 

Few survivors came back from 
any of the front line companies, 
and the valor in no war of history 
exceeded that of the Boys in Gray, 
who fought with extreme despera- 
tion against overwhelming odds 
in men and resources. The Floyd 
Sharpshooters surrendered ten 
men at Appomattox, whereas 110 
had gone out. Of 24 Cherokee 
Artillery members imprisoned at 
Indianapolis, only eight answered 
the roll call at Rome just after the 
war, and most of the others are 
supposed to have died in prison. 
Jas. E. Mullen, late cemetery sex- 
ton, was one of this command. 

The Rome Light Guard organi- 
zations kept going many years, 
and the Hill City Cadets sprang 
into existence and was active dur- 
ing the Spanish-American war dis- 
turbance. 

The Floyd Cavalry was prob- 
ably the first to offer its services 
to Gov. Jos. E. Bruwn. This was 
done Friday, Nov. 9, 1860, as soon 
as the members could hold a 
meeting after the election of Abra- 
ham Lincoln to the Presidency. 
Three days before the First Bat- 
tle of Manassas, the offer having 
gone by the board, the company 
met and passed resolutions as fol- 
lows : 

Whereas, the Floyd Cavalry ten- 
dered its services to His Excellency, 
Jos. E. Brown, Commander-in-Chief of 



the State of Georgia, on Nov. 9, 1860, 
and 

Whereas, the services of the com- 
pany have not yet been called for, be it 

Resolved, That in view of active hos- 
tilities that the company renew their 
tender with the assurance that it holds 
itself in readiness to meet any emer- 
gencies whenever and wherever they 
may arise. 

The officers at this time were 
Jno. R. Towers, captain ; E. W. 
Hull, first lieutenant ; Dunlap 
Scott, second lieutenant, and J. H. 
Walker, third lieutenant. Contin- 
ued inactivity caused the three 
first named to transfer to the Mil- 
ler Rifles in the same offices. Arm- 
istead R. Harper took the place of 
Lieut. Walker. 

The Floyd Infantry left Rome 
first; it went away May 10, 1861. 

The Light Guards left Rome 
Monday morning, May 27, 1861, 
after having heard on the day be- 
fore an inspiring speech at the 
First Presbyterian church by the 
pastor, the Rev. John Jones. They 
marched to North Rome and 
caught their train, and half the 
town marched with them, scatter- 
ing flowers in their way and bid- 
ding them God-speed with fervent 
prayers from the women and lusty 
huzzas from the "home guard." 
Capt. Magruder, of this company, 
was the first man in Rome to don 
the blue cockade of secession. He 
was among the first to marry, 
choosing as his bride several days 
before the departure the beautiful 
Miss Florence Fouche, daughter of 
Col. Simpson Fouche. When the 
Guards left Rome, Mrs. Magruder 
marched with her husband at the 
head of the column, appropriately 
rigged out for the occasion — pistol 
and dagger in her belt, and a stride 
full of belligerency. Let Miss Bes- 
sie Moore (Mrs. Lawrence S 
Churchill) describe the wedding: 

It was a novel and inspiring cere- 
mony, from all descriptions. The 
handsome groom was in full dress mili- 
tary coat, and his trousers were of 



Opening of the Civil War — First Manassas 



139 




PROMINENT IN REMOVAL OF THE INDIANS. 

At left is Brig. Gen. Jno. E. Wool, U, S. A., of Troy, N. Y., who had charge of car- 
rying out government policies prior to the exodus. In the center is Lewis Cass, Secretary 
of War in Andrew Jackson's cabinet, who was thei storm center of the diplomatic negotia-i 
tions. Next is Gen. Winfield Scott, hero of the Mexican War and later adviser of the Union 
War Department, who gathered up the red-skins in stockades at New Echota and Sixes Town 
to facilitate removal. 



white silk, brought from the Orient 
by his friend, Col. Chas. I. Graves, in 
a naval cruise. The blushing bride 
was dressed in snow white, including 
her veil. They rode up to the First 
Baptist church (which was located at 
the same site as today) in a carriage 
pulled by two spirited white horses. 

Descending from their conveyance, 
they passed through an arch of up- 
lifted sabres of 80 members of the 
Guards. As the couple reached the 
church door, they stood aside a mo- 
ment; the Guards came in and formed 
a second column, through which the 
two again passed to the altar. Rev. 
Chas. H. Stillwell, pastor of the church, 
then made them man and wife. 

Mrs. Magruder accompanied Capt. 
Magruder to Orange County, Va., the 
place of his birth, and took up her 
residence with his people at "Fres- 
cati" (the Italian for "Green Fields"), 
the ancestral home. This mansion was 
converted into a hospital for sick and 
wounded Light Guards and other Con- 
federate soldiers. 

Orderly Sergeant Jim Tom 
Moore, member of the Light 
Guards and grand- father of Mrs 
Churchill, was married shortly be- 
fore the command left to Miss Le- 
titia Hutchings. The ceremony 



was performed at the old Buena 
Vista, which for a time was Rome's 
leading hotel. Theie were numer- 
ous other military marriages, and 
some of the husbands came back 
to their wives, and some did not. 

The Rome Weekly Courier of 
Friday, April 26, 1861, announced 
the opening of the Civil War as 
follows : 

Glorious News — Virginia Seceded. — 
Gen. Scott resigns, and fighting at 
Harper's Ferry and Norfolk ! 

The news of the secession of Vir- 
ginia was received in Rome at 11:30 
o'clock on yesterday, together with the 
announcement that Gen. Scott had re- 
signed and was in Richmond and that 
the Virginians had attacked the army 
at Harper's Ferry and the United 
States fort and navy yard at Norfolk. 

This news caused the greatest ex- 
citement we have ever seen in our city. 
Cannons were fired and small arms 
without number, and all the church 
bells were rung, and all possible dem- 
onstrations of extreme joy were every- 
where to be seen. Not a few eyes 
were moistened by the joyous overflow 
of grateful feelings. The eighth star 
was put upon it and the flag raised. 



140 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



On Tuesday morning, May 28, 
1861, the Tri- Weekly Courier bade 
farewell to the Light Guards as 
follows : 

This company left our city yesterday 
evening at 6 o'clock. The muster roll 
may be found in another column. Our 
heart fails us as we attempt to write 
upon the subject. The company is 
made up almost entirely of young men 
— only five married, and, with two ex- 
ceptions, these quite recently. Most 
of the members have lived in the city 
or in the immediate vicinity; they are 
connected with the best families and 
of course are greatly beloved. 

We are sure there will not be in the 
army a more gallant company of brave 
men than compose this corps. They are 
armed with the Windsor rifle. They 
have no accoutreinents, but in all else 
they are fully provided. The pro- 
visions for health and comfort in camp 
are quite complete. That they may all 
safely return is the fervent and earn- 
est prayer of the entire community. 

The Courier Thursday morning, 
May 30, 1861, gave the^ Miller Ri- 
fles this send-off: 

This company left yesterday at 11 
o'clock on a special train for Richmond. 
It consists of a larger number than 
either of the other companies that 
have left.* It is made up of the best 
kind of fighting men, mostly from the 
country, and though but little used to 
drill at present, they are inured to 
many hardships that will enable them 
to drop into camp routine with com- 
parative ease; and Capt. Towers is 
just the man to make this company 
one of the most efficient in the serv- 
ice. 

And now the author again steps 
aside and bows to pens that are 
more trenchant than his own. The 
quotations are from The Courier, 
with the dates as indicated : 

Northern Men's Sacrifice. — Those 
citizens of Northern birth who enlist 
in our army and who demonstrate on 
the battlefield their fidelity to our 
cause are entitled to the lasting gi-at- 
itude and remembrance of our people. 
To the foreman and others in charge 
of The Courier, it is a source of grati- 
fication to hear on frequent occasions 
the name of Mr. Melville Dwinell, now 
in the army, who participated in the 
recent glorious achievement at Manas- 
sas, spoken of in terms of the warmest 



respect and regard. He was in the 
hottest of the column led by the la- 
mented Bartow. We hope that he 
escaped death. 

We grieve to learn that Frank La- 
throp, our young friend and fellow 
citizen, from the house of Sloan, Har- 
per & Co., is no more. He, too, was a 
Northern man, and fell at Manassas, 
battling for our rights. 

Floyd Companies' Loss. — As there 
has been no official report published of 
the killed and wounded of the Eighth 
Georgia Regiment in the First Battle 
of Manassas, we are only enabled to 
give the following report from a list 
sent by Rev. John Jones, pastor of the 
First Presbyterian church of Rome, 
who has been visiting the companies 
and is now at Richmond: 

Rome Light Guards — Killed: Chas. 
B. Norton, Geo. T. Stovall, D. Clinton 
Hargrove, Jas. B. Clark and Dr. J. T. 
Duane; badly wounded, M. D. McOs- 
ker, J. H. Anderson (Ringgold), J. A. 
Stevenson (Jacksonville) ; slightly 
wounded, Capt. E. J. Magruder, G. L. 
Aycock, A. J. Bearden, J. Dunwoody 

Jones, J. F. Shelton, Shackleford 

and Jett Howard; missing, John J. 
Black, Wm. A. Barron, M. A. Ross and 
John R. Payne. 

Miller Rifles— Killed, Thos. Mobley, 
Frank Lathrop and Lewis Yarbrough; 
badly wounded, O. B. Eve, Thos. J. 
Hills and Wm. A. King; sHghtly 
wounded, John M. Berry, B. F. Cornut, 
W. D. Corput, S. H. Chambers, M. D. 
Funderburk, N. S. Fain, Maj. John 
Minton, Jourdan Reese, T. C. Sparks, 
J. H. Silvey, W. P. Trout, W. W. Ware, 
the two Easons and D. C. Harper; sick, 
W. J. Barrett, G. Carroll, R. F. Car- 
roll, B. F. Price and T. R. Glenn. 

Floyd Infantry — Killed, George 
Martin, W. J. Chastain, A. W. Har- 
shaw and J. H. Dunn; badly wounded, 
Capt. Jno. F. Cooper. Full list not re- 
ported. 

Manassas Battleground Camp, Tues- 
day, July 23, 1861, 8 p. m. 
Dear Courier: Since writing this 
morning I have gathered some particu- 
lars of the glorious victory of July 21. 
As the facts are made known, the com- 
plete rout of the enemy and the utter 
confusion into which they were thrown 
becomes more and more evident. In- 
stead of getting 42 of their cannon, 64 
have already been brought in, and 
there is reason to believe still more 



*The Floyd Infantry, under command of Capt. 
Jno. Frederick Cooper, is referred to here with 
the Light Guards. It is supposed to have left 
several days ahead of any other company. 



Opening of the Civil War — First Manassas 



141 



will be found, provided this number 
does not include all they had. Our 
troops detailed for that purpose have 
been finding them all day, run off in 
concealed places by the roadside. In 
addition to the cannon, it is reported 
that the road leading to Alexandria is 
literally lined with muskets, rifles, etc., 
etc. This morning 27 of Lincoln's com- 
missioned officers, including several of 
the staff, were sent to Richmond as 
prisoners of war. 

The sneaking cunning and perfidious 
meanness of our enemies was exhibited 
on the day of battle by their use of a 
flag, one side of which represented the 
colors of the Confederate States and 
the other those of the United States. 
It was by the use of this that our regi- 
ments were so badly cut up. The col- 
umn that flanked us showed the Con- 
federate flag until they got to the po- 
sition where they could do us the great- 
est possible injury, then turned to us 
the Federal side of the flag. For doing 
this when they sent a flag of truce to 
Gen. Beauregard, asking for the privi- 
lege of gathering up and burying their 
dead, it was denied them. How can 
they expect any courtesy when they 
thus set at defiance all the rules of 
civilized warfare? The low spirit that 
governs them and their miscreancy 
was also exhibited on the 18th, when 
they made use of the truce in throwing 
up barricades and breastworks. 

A. J. Bearden was taken prisoner 
and carried some four miles from the 
battleground. This was after our reg- 
iment had fallen back. He was car- 
ried to the headquarters of the ene- 
my, and there saw a large number of 
gentlemen from Washington City, New 
York and other places, drinking and 
carousing over "their" victory. Not 
long after, news came that their army 
was retreating, with our cavalry in hot 
pursuit. Then ensued a scene of in- 
describable confusion among this white 
kid gentry in their efforts to secure 
their personal safety by flight. When 
our cavalry came up, Bearden claimed 
his own freedom, and took captive the 
captain who had been guarding him. 
Chas. M. Harper, of the Miller Rifles, 
was taken prisoner, and with two or 
three others was guarded by six of the 
Hessians. After a while, more pris- 
oners were put in care of the same 
guard, so that their number exceeded 
that of the hirelings holding them. Our 
boys watched their opportunity, 
snatched their guardians' guns and 
took them all prisoners. Another in- 
stance in which the tables were turned 
occurred with a member of our com- 



pany, Robt. DeJournett. He was on 
the retreat when a mounted officer, 
supposed to have been a colonel, rode 
up to within 15 or 20 paces and cried 
out, "Your life! Your life, you young 
rebel!" DeJournett turned, raised his 
gun and shot him through while the 
officer was attempting to draw his pis- 
tol. DeJournett made a hasty retreat 
in safety, though a volley of muskets 
was flred at him. 

It is now certain that John J. Black, 
Marcus A. Ross and John Payne were 
taken prisoners and carried off. Mc- 
Grath came in today, unharmed. This 
accounts for all the Light Guards. No 
prisoners were carried off fi-om the 
Miller Rifles. Seven of the Federal 
prisoners have told us they expected to 
Idc hung as soon as the battle was over. 
They have been taught to believe that 
the Southerners are a set of complete 
barbarians. Geo. Martin, of the Floyd 
Infantry, died last night. Howard Mc- 
Osker and Anderson, of our company, 
have been sent to Gordonsville. They 
were doing well. 

Our regiment has not yet reorgan- 
ized, and we did not move today, as 
was anticipated. We were all very glad 
to see Rev. John Jones when he came 
into camp today. It is said that the 




GEORGK TRIPPE STOVALL, editor and 
Methodist Sunday School superintendent who 
was killed at First Manassas. 



142 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Lincolnites have taken Washington 
City. They certainly hold no place 
this side of Alexandria. — Courier, 
Aug. 1, 1861. 

Thos. J. Hills. — History will delight 
to honor the heroes of Manassas and 
the bravery of our boys; "in the dead- 
ly thicket" long will be a fireside 
theme ! 

In our exultation over the great vic- 
tory at Manassas it is well to pay a 
passing tribute to the memory of those 
who freely gave their lives to gain it. 
He whose name heads this article was 
not among those whose life sped ere 
victory was won ; lingering until Fri- 
day night, he died peacefully in the 
full realization of the promises so 
sweet to the Christian heart. 

Of modest, unassuming manner, he 
was well known only to his intimate 
friends, who knew him but to love him. 
As superintendent of the Sabbath 
School at Running Waters (the Hume 
place north of Rome), he had re- 
cently entered upon a life of Christian 
usefulness, where he was becoming 
better known and more widely appre- 
ciated. In him we mourn a devoted 
son, an affectionate brother and faith- 
ful friend. Truly, death loves a shin- 
ing mark, and in the loss of our prom- 
ising young men we see God's ways 
are past finding out. — M., Aug. 9, 
1861. 

Returned.— Gen. Geo. S. Black, Col. 
W. A. Fort, H. A. Gartrell, N. J. Om- 
berg, R. S. Norton and G. R. Sandefer 
returned home a few days ago from 
Manassas, where they had gone to visit 
their sons and friends. 

Wm. Higginbotham, a well-known 
free man of color, also returned on 
Saturday morning. He reached Ma- 
nassas on the morning of the battle, 
but was denied the privilege of taking 
a gun and falling into the ranks. He 
then assisted in removing the dead and 
wounded, amid the shower of balls that 
fell around. Such deeds are highly 
meritorious and deserve much credit. 

Accident on Rome Railroad. — On 
Tuesday evening last, as the down 
train reached a point about two miles 
this side of Kingston, it struck a cow 
on the track, which threw the engine 
and part of the train off. The engi- 
neer saw the cow, but too late to stop 
the train, and fearing the result, 
jumped off and broke his leg. This is 
the only serious accident that has oc- 
curred on this road for several years. 

A number of the Cherokee Artillery, 
vho were home on furlough, were 



forced to walk from the spot to King- 
ston, as their train from Rome could 
not pass. They were going to Camp 
McDonald, and thence will go to Vir- 
ginia. — Aug. 9, 1861. 



Soldiers Returned. — John M. Berry, 
of the Miller Rifles, who had two of 
his fingers shot off at Manassas, and 
who received an honorable discharge, 
returned a few days ago. M. A. Ross, 
of the Light Guards, who received a 
wound in his arm and hand, was taken 
prisoner and escaped, arrived Thurs- 
day on a two months' furlough. L. G. 
Bradbury belonged to no company, 
though fought with the rest of the 
boys. He went out for the purpose of 
joining the Light Guards, but was not 
received on account of being a cripple, 
it.— Aug. 16, 1861. 
He went to see the elephant and saw 

A survivor's account of the First 
Battle of Manassas has been 
g'leaned from the records of the 
United Daughters of the Confed- 
eracy :* 

It was on a bright, beautiful Sun- 
day morning that one of the world's 
most remarkable battles was fought. 
Gens. Gustave T. Beauregard and Jos. 
E. Johnston were the Confederate 
leaders, and Gen. Winfield Scott com- 
mander of the Northern army. Jef- 
ferson Davis was on the field, cheer- 
ing the hosts in gray. It was here 
that Gen. Thos. J. Jackson got his nick- 
name "Stonewall." Francis S. Bartow, 
colonel of the Eighth Georgia Regi- 
ment, had our command, and Gen. Ber- 
nard E. Bee was also there, with his 
South Carolina battalions. 

Predictions had been made by the 
Washington contingent that the flag 
that carried in its folds the love of 
these hotly patriotic Southerners would 
be furled forever. A large crowd of 
spectators came out from Washington 
in their fine carriages, with nice 
lunches and plenty to drink in cele- 
bration of the expected Union victory, 
and the festivities were to be continued 
that night in the capital. 

The tides of battle surged back and 
forth. Units of the Southern army 
were cut to pieces, and the remnants 
retreated. Seeing some men turning 
to the rear, the gallant Bee shouted, 
"Look at Jackson there; he is stand- 
ing like a stone wall!" The men ral- 
lied. Reinforcements for us came up, 

*Relate<l by Virgil A. Stewart. He and B. .1. 
Franks, of Armuchee, are the only survivors 
of the Rome Light Guards. 



Opening of the Civil War — First Manassas 



143 







FOUR INTREPID CONFEDERATE LEADERS. 

At top, left to right, are Jefferson Davis, president of the Southern Confederacy, who 
was captured near Irwinville, Ga., in 1865, after a flight from Richmond with Colonel and 
Mrs. C. I. Graves, of Rome; and Gen. Jos. Eccleston Johnston, famed for his well-ordered 
retreat from Chattanooga through Rome. At the bottom are Gen. Jno. B. Gordon, who 
attended Hearn Academy, Cave Spring, and Gen. Jno. B. Hood, commander in the Atlanta 
campaign, who crossed the Coosa River at Veal's ferry, Coosa Village. 



and by 3 o'clock in the afternoon the 
rout of the Union army was complete. 
Beauregard and Johnston wanted to 
push on to Washington in the hope of 
ending the war, but Davis said no. 

Practically half of the Eighth's 
1,000 Georgians fell dead or wounded, 
or were captured or lost. The Fourth 
Alabama was also well decimated. Bar- 
tow led his men to an exposed emi- 
nence which was too hot to hold. 

When the command to retire was 
given, I did not hear it, and soon found 
myself with none but dead and wound- 



ed around me. I fell back to a thicket 
and met Jim Tom Moore, who said he 
did not know where were the rest of 
the men. Ike Donkle sang out, "Rally, 
Rome Light Guards!" About a dozen 
came out of the thicket and were im- 
mediately fired upon by a regiment in 
a protected position. "The Romans re- 
turned the fire, then fell back to cover. 
My hat and coat wei-e well riddled, 
but my skin was untouched. 

Among our dead were Jas. B. Clark, 
Dr. J. T. Duane, a native of Ireland, 
who had come to Rome only a few 



144 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



years before and opened a dental of- 
fice; Geo. T. Stovall, a bachelor, su- 
perintendent of the First Methodist 
Church Sunday School, and perhaps 
the most beloved young man in the 
town; Charles B. Norton, a clothing 
merchant, and D. Clinton Hargrove, a 
lavi^er, my uncle and a brother of Z. 
B. Hargrove. Charlie Norton was the 
eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben 
Norton and a brother of Mrs. Wm. M. 
Towers. Among our wounded were M. 
D. McOsker and L. T. ("Coon") Mitch- 
ell,* son of Dan']. R. Mitchell, one of 
the four founders of Rome. 

When Charlie Norton was shot, he 
pitched forward and fell across me, 
for I was on my knees firing. He was 
the first Light Guard member to be 
killed. It was a horrible sight; men 
falling all around, some dying quickly 
and the others making the day hideous 
with their groans. Considering that 
so many were our boyhood friends, it 
v/as all the harder to bear. 

Bartow fell mortally wounded, and 
was attended by Dr. H. V. M. Miller. 
A short time previously he was at- 
tempting to rally his men. Frenzied 
at his heavy loss, he seized a flag from 
the hands of a color bearer. It hap- 
pened that these were the colors of a 
South Carolina unit under Bee. The 
incident was noticed by Bee, who 
rushed up and snatched the colors from 
Bartow. Bee also lost his life in this 
fight. Had he and Bartow been spared, 
it is quite likely they would have 
fought a duel. 

As the Eighth Georgia marched off 
the field at the conclusion of the battle, 
Gen. Beauregard saluted and cried: 
"I salute the Eighth Georgia with my 
hat off. History shall never forget 
you!" 

Capt. Magruder received two wounds 
at First Manassas. Later, at Gar- 
nett's farm, near Richmond, he was 
wounded twice on the same day. Part 
of his nose and right jaw were torn 
away, and his shoulder was badly shot. 
Having had his face bandaged, he was 
rushing back to the front when a mid- 
dle-aged man in homespun suit and 
broad-brimmed hat stopped him and 
said: 

"Major, you are more seriously 
wounded than you realize. You must 
take my carriage and go to the hos- 
pital." 

Capt. Magruder pushed on abruptly, 
telling the man to mind his own busi- 
ness. A soldier who saw the meeting 
asked Capt. Magruder a moment later 
if he knew it was Jefferson Davis he 



was talking to. Capt. Magruder turned 
quickly and apologized, explaining that 
nearly all the officers had been inca- 
pacitated or captured, and that he 
must take command. He went through 
the thickest of the fight, fainted and 
was borne from the field. After a while 
he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. 
At Petersburg he was wounded twice; 
once slightly and suffered a broken 
arm. Surgeons insisted on amputa- 
tion but he refused and his elbow was 
always stiff thereafter. He was sent 
to "Frescati," the Magruder home- 
stead in Virginia, which he had helped 
put in order to receive his wounded 
comrades. 

Jiidg-e Augustus R. Wright, 
Federal and Confederate Congress- 
man, contributed the following to 
the discussion of intrigue at Rich- 
mond : 

Richmond, Va., Feb. 26, 1862. 

Francis C. Shropshire, 
Rome, Ga. 

My Dear Frank : On Saturday last 
we had the ceremonies of the inaugu- 
ration. Imposing, very. A gloomier 
day never settled upon the capital of 
Virginia. The rain fell in torrents. 
Notwithstanding, the crowd was im- 
mense. President Davis made his 
speech and took the oath at the eques- 
trian statue of Washington. The com- 
mending of himself and his country 
into the hands of God at the conclu- 
sion of the ceremony was a sublime 
scene. Emaciated and careworn, with 
a deep feeling of sadness pervading 
his pale, intellectual features, there 
v/as anearnestness and solemnity in 
his mannr that satisfied the beholder. 
His spirit was even then in deep com- 
munion with his God. There were 
no Christian doubts that he had prayed 
before in the deep humility of a trust- 
ing and faithful heart. 

Mr. Davis, in my opinion, is a Chris- 
tian President, and if he is, (k)d will 
take care of him and the young suf- 
fering country which he rules for the 
next six years. 

The vileness of -our race is being ex- 
hibited here every day in the efforts 
of some of those who were first to 
overthrow the old Government,** to 
shake the confidence of the people in 

♦Mitchell told later how Stovall had men- 
tioned to him the night before the battle a 
premonition of death. Stovall was humming 
at the time his favorite song, "Jesus Lover of 
My Soul." His last words were, "Tell my 
mother I have gone to Heaven." 
** Presumably at Montgomery. 



Opening of the Civil War — First Manassas 



145 



their rulers in the hour of misfortune 
and public calamity, the time when of 
all others we should stand by the Gov- 
ernment with the most heroic forti- 
tude, and strengthen by every means 
in our power the confidence of our peo- 
ple in our rulers. 

Some already declare Congress is 
bound by no Constitution in time of 
war, others that we must change the 
organic law again; the best way to 
get clear of incompetent rulers is for 
the people to rise in their might and 
overthrow them. 

It is fearful to hear the talk in Con- 
gress and out of it. If we are not 
careful, and meet with a few more re- 
verses, we shall have the revolution 
all over again. 

I shall stick to the President because 
it is right, because he is worthy, and 
because it is the only course to secure 
law and order and any Government 
at all. 

There are a great many currents 
and undercurrents here — demagogues 
working like maggots on the body pol- 
itic; the body of the people are like a 
seething caldron — traitors in great 
evidence that glory in the news of our 
defeat. Upon requiring the office- 
holders to take the oath of allegiance, 
I understand there were 40 who re- 
fused. 

The situation at this time: The 
Federal army numbers 500,000, the 
Confederate army about 350,000. Mill 
Spring surrendered Feb. 6; Gen. Jolli- 
coffer, a favorite Southern general, 
killed. Fort Donelson, on line of Mis- 



sissippi River, surrendered Feb. 16, 
with about 15,000 men. 

"God is my refuge and my 
strength;" out of the darkness He will 
bring light, and upon these shadows 
His spirit will move in strength, and 
we shall have a new Government to 
shed its blessings, I hope, upon a free, 
intelligent and Christian people. 
Yours truly, 

AUGUSTUS R. WRIGHT. 

The Civil War, like every other 
war, was not free of profiteering. 
Occasionally the boys at the front 
would write back their opinions of 
money grubbing and hoarding, and 
as early as a year after the open- 
ing the home folks were sniping 
at its pudgy form. The Tri-Week- 
ly Courier of Tuesday, Apr. 8, 1862, 
printed the proceedings' of a county 
mass meeting at the City Hall, in 
which strong resolutions were 
passed against extortionate prices 
which were crippling the men on 
the firing line and working a hard- 
ship on non-combatants. Col. 
James Word was chairman of the 
meeting and R. D. Harvey secre- 
tary. The resolutions were drawn 
bv a committee composed of Dan- 
iel R. Mitchell, H. Aycock, B. F. 
Hawkins, Kinchin Rambo and J. 
W. Dunnahoo, and they were 
passed unanimously. 




146 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




FINE DWELLINGS OF HILL AND COUNTRYSIDE. 



The elegant siZv^c^^v" oT^o^e homes has of ten been remarked Here we^^see^ a^ 
the finer structures in their artistic settings At top the Secona j,^s„to Park; center, 

king; next. "Beverly Hall." the country estate o^ J Nephew^ King.^nea ^.^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ..j^.,,_ 
the Fourth ward dwelling of the late J. A. oiover. 
crest." East Rome dwelling of Jno. M. Graham. 



CHAPTER II. 
A Rome Engine Chases The "General 



^ LTHOUGH the story of 
/\ "Andrews' Wild Raid" of 
Apr. 12, 1862, is well known 
to followers of Civil War 
history, the part played by a Rome 
engine in the chase and capture 
of this band of desperate men has 
remained buried in oblivion. This 
engine was the "Wm. R. Smith,"* 
a small, "wood-burning" afifair 
named after Col. Wm. R. ,("Long 
Bill") Smith, first president of the 
Rome Railroad. Her engineer was 
Oliver Wiley Harbin,** and the 
conductor of the Rome Railroad 
train to which she was attached 
and which awaited the arrival of 
the Atlanta train at Kingston was 
Cicero A. Smith, also of Rome, son 
of Jacob Smith, an uncle of "Bill 
Arn "*** 

The following account is taken 
partly from an illustrated folder 
issued in 1903 under direction of 
W. L. Danley, of Nashville, Tenn., 
general passenger agent of the N. 
C. & St. L. railway, lessees of the 
Western & Atlantic (state) rail- 
road, and partly from "Georgia's 
Landmarks, Memorials & Leg- 
ends," Vol. n, ps. 230-234.**** 

James J. Andrews, a Union spy and 
contraband merchant of Flemingsburg, 
Ky., was commissioned by Gen. O. M. 
Mitchel to lead a raid into Georgia and 
burn the railroad bridges between Big 
Shanty (Kennesaw, Cobb County), 
and Chattanooga, Tenn. Gen. Mitch- 
el's division of Buell's Union army 
was in camp near Shelbyville, Tenn., 
and it was from this point that An- 
drews took 21 men in civilian clothes 
and made his way through the Confed- 

*Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials & Legends, 
Vol. IL p. 233. 

♦♦Authorities : Judge Jno. C. Printup, Mrs. 
Susan Cothran Smith, of Birmingham, daugh- 
ter of Col. Wade S. Cothran, superintendent of 
the road ; H. H. Wimpee, of Rome. 

***Authority : Mrs. Smith. Cicero A. Smith 
was a brother of Miss Mollie Smith, Henry A. 
Smith and James Smith, of Rome. 

****Contributed by Wilber G. Kurtz, of Chi- 
cago, who married a daughter of Capt. Wm. 
A. Fuller, one of the principals in the es- 
capade. 



erate lines to Marietta, seven miles 
south of Big Shanty. Mitchel was to 
capture Huntsville, Ala., on the same 
day that Andrews' raiders were tear- 
ing up the road, and supplies being cut 
off from the South for the Confed- 
erate garrison at Chattanooga, Mitchel 
was to march from Huntsville on re- 
ceiving word from Andrews, and over- 
whelm the Tennessee town. Reinforce- 
ments sufficient to hold Chattanooga 
were to be rushed to Mitchel's aid. 

Andrews was familiar with the road, 
but heavy rains delayed him a day and 
he decided to make his dash Apr. 12 
instead of the 11th, reasoning that 
the rains would hold up Mitchel's force 
a day as well. Consequently, he did 
not reach Marietta until the night of 
Apr. 11. At Marietta the presence of 
this group of strangers attracted some 
attention, but they explained that they 
were Southerners who had made their 
way through the Northern lines and 
wanted to join the Confederate army. 

At 6 o'clock on the morning of Apr. 
12 Capt. Wm. A. Fuller, conductor of 
the northbound passenger train, pulled 
the bell cord that sent the engine puff- 
ing out of the Union Station in At- 
lanta. This was the engine "General," 
built by the Rogers Locomotive Works 
at Paterson, N. J., in 1855, a trim 
wood-burner with a sharp cowcatcher 
and bellows stack, which for some 
years has been on exhibition at the 
Union depot, Chattanooga. The en- 
gineer was Jeff Cain, and Capt. An- 
thony Murphy, well-known Atlantan 
and superintendent of the W. & A. 
shops, went along. Three empty box 
cars were carried next to the engine 
to bring commissary stores from Chat- 
tanooga to Atlanta. 

When the train reached Marietta, 20 
miles northwest of Atlanta, two of An- 
drews' party for some reason failed 
to get aboard, but the other twenty 
clambered on, having bought tickets 
for various points beyond Big Shanty. 
It was customary for this train to stop 
20 minutes at Big Shanty so the train 
crew and passengers could get break- 
fast at Lacey's Hotel. This was done 
on this occasion, and Capt. Fuller sat 
with his face toward his engine, where 
he could see through an open window, 
40 feet from the train. 

In Andrews' party were four en- 
gineers and firemen, some couplers and 



148 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



others familiar with railroad work, and 
practically all of them were armed 
with pistols, and several carried pliers 
for cutting telegraph wires. Although 
Big Shanty had 3,000 Confederate sol- 
diers in training (at Camp McDon- 
ald), it did not boast a telegraph sta- 
tion. The commanding officer had re- 
quested Capt. Fuller to take in tow 
several deserters who might board his 
train, hence when the conductor saw 
the strangers uncouple the engine and 
the three empty box cars from his 
train and start off, he thought they 
were Confederate undesirables. 

"Some one who has no right to do so 
has gone off with our train!" shouted 
Capt. Fuller. The sixteen men in the 
last box car waved defiantly as they 
turned a curve and were lost to view. 
The alarm was sounded through vil- 
lage and camp. 

A bugler called together the High- 
land Rangers, a horse troop com- 
manded by Capt. J. L. Kerr, a Rome 
tailor, which was Co. G, of the First 
Georgia Cavalry, commanded by Col. 
J. J. Morrison, of Polk County. The 
horsemen dashed away in hot pursuit. 
Among them were four Roman broth- 
ers, M. A. J. (Matt), Wm., George and 
Dave Wimpee.* 

Capt. Fuller used the tools at hand. 
He pitted leg power against steam. 
Mr. Cain and Capt. Murphy followed 
closely. At Moon's Station, two miles 
away, they got a hand car off a side- 
track. The men at the station had 
had their tools taken forcibly by the 
raiders. They reported that the 
strangers had cut 100 yards of wire 
from the telegraph poles, and carried 
it with them. Capt. Fuller then com- 
prehended the design, and put new de- 
termination into his efforts. He had 
arrived here ahead of his companions, 
so pushed the hand car back and picked 
them up. Two of them shoved the rude 
conveyance while the third rested and 
kept a sharp lookout ahead. Rain was 
falling in a gloomy drizzle. 

Capt. Fuller figured that the down- 
grade to Etowah Station, at the Eto- 
wah river, would probably enable him 
to get to that point (fifteen miles from 
Moon's) by the time "The General" had 
climbed the grade thence to Kingston, 
and that at Kingston freight trains 
were due to hold up the raiders a while. 
A pile of crossties was removed from 
the track a mile north of Moon's. At 
Acworth they got pistols and were 
joined by Steve Stokely, of Cobb Coun- 
ty, and a Mr. Smith, of Jonesboro, 
"Two rails had been removed just be- 



fore reaching Etowah, so the hand- 
car had to be lifted along some 75 feet. 

After a heroic effort, Etowah was 
reached, and there, justifying the 
hopes of Capt. Fuller, stood the old 
engine "Yonah," the property of the 
Cooper Iron Works. The engine was 
standing on a sidetrack near the Eto- 
wah trestle, and the tender, detached, 
was on the turn-table. The tender was 
turned around and attached to the en- 
gine, and off they went. No further 
impediments were encountered up to 
Kingston, fifteen miles from Etowah. 

By this time the countryside was in 
a fever of excitement. Andrews was 
telling curious station masters and 
trainmen that he was running an am- 
munition train to the relief of Gen. 
G. T. Beauregard, at Corinth, Miss. 
He also stated that Capt. Fuller's pas- 
senger train was coming along behind ; 
but when the people saw Capt. Ful- 
ler's bedi-aggled crew, they knew the 
truth. 

The "Yonah" pawed up spai-ks as 
her wheels slipped in starting; then 
she made record speed to Kingston. 
Andrews had just left. He had per- 
suaded the freight engineers to give 
him right of way, and was off with a 
mocking laugh. The "Texas" found 
the freights so arranged that she was 
hopelessly pocketed, but on the left- 
hand prong of the "Y," pointed toward 
Rome, was the "Wm. R. Smith," steam 
up and waiting for the Atlanta trans- 
fer passengers. Capt. Fuller pressed 
this engine into service, and her en- 
gineer, O. Wiley Harbin, ran her a 
distance of five miles, faster than the 
"stringers" and flat rails of the Rome 
railroad would have stood. In the cab 
of the Rome engine were also seated 
the Rome train conductor, Cicero A. 
Smith, Capt. Fuller, Mr. Cain, Mr. 
Murphy, Mr. Stokely and Mr. Smith. 
Four miles south of Adairsville (Cass 
County) , 60 yards of track was found 
to have been torn up. The "Smith" 
was stopped with a jerk and Capt. Ful- 
ler and his four companions ran ahead 
after thanking the crew from Rome. 
The Romans remained behind to look 
after their engine, and slowly steamed 
back to Kingston and took up their 
previous position. 

Capt. Fuller pressed on two miles as 
fast as his legs would carry him, again 
leading his crowd by several furlongs. 
After half a mile Murphy was the 
only one he could see. Presentb'- an 
express freight train came puffing 
along with 20 cars. Capt. Fuller stood 

♦Authority: H. H. Wimpee. 



A Rome Engine Chases the "General' 



149 



on the track, brandished his pistol and 
brought the train to a stop. The en- 
gineer, Peter Bracken, recognized him 
?nd heard his hastily-told story. They 
waited for Capt. Murphy to arrive, 
then backed up the road as fast as pos- 
sible, Capt. Fuller standing on the last 
box car, 20 lengths away, and giving 
signals so the engineer could tell how 
to run. Others now on the train were 
Fleming Cox and Henry Haney, fire- 
man of the freight, and Alonzo Mar- 
tin, wood passer. Smith and Stokely 
had been left behind. The train was 
now being pushed by the Danforth and 
Cook engine "Texas." 

When within 200 yards of the switch 
at Adairsville, Capt. Fuller jumped 
down, ran ahead and changed the 
switch so as to throw the 20 cars on 
the sidetrack. He then reversed the 
switch and hopped on the "Texas," 
which sped on her way. So quickly 
had this change been effected that en- 
gine and cars ran side by side for near- 
ly 1,000 feet. The "Texas," it should 
be borne in mind, was still running 
backward, whereas the "General" was 
pointed ahead. This gave the "Gen- 
eral" quite an advantage because the 
instability of a tender running fast 
ahead tends to throw it off the track. 
Calhoun, Gordon County, ten miles 
from Adairsville, was reached in 
twelve minutes. Here Edward Hen- 
derson, 17, telegraph operator at Dal- 
ton, had arrived on the morning pas- 
senger train, to see what was the mat- 
ter with the telegraph wires. Running 
at 15 nr;iles an hour, Capt. Fuller 
stretched out a hand to him and pulled 
him aboard the engine. 

While they sped along as fast as an 
engine with 5 feet, 10-inch driving 
wheels could run, Capt. Fuller wrote 
the following telegram to Gen. Ledbet- 
ter at Chattanooga, handed it to young 
Henderson and told him to hop off 
quick at Dalton and put it through: 

"My train was captured this morn- 
ing at Big Shanty, evidently by Fed- 
eral soldiers in disguise. They are 
making rapidly for Chattanooga, pos- 
sibly with an idea of burning the rail- 
road bridges in their rear. If I do 
not capture them in the meantime, see 
that they do not pass Chattanooga." 

Two miles north of Calhoun the fly- 
ing raiders were sighted by the pur- 
suers for the first time. They de- 
tached the rear freight car at a point 
where they had made a fruitless effort 
to tear up a rail with a crow-bar. This 
car was coupled in front of the "Tex- 
as" without stopping, and Capt. Fuller 
mounted it and signalled to the en- 



gineer, who could not see ahead. The 
end of this car had been punched out 
so crossties could be strewn along the 
tiack, ties having been taken from the 
roadbed at various points. Two and a 
half miles farther, Capt. Fuller en- 
countered another loose freight car. 
This was taken on in front, and the 
gallant captain moved up a car length. 
The bridge over the Oostanaula River 
was crossed safely and at Resaca Capt. 
Fuller left the two cumbersome freight 
cars on a siding, and sped onward with 
the "Texas" only. At a short curve 
two miles noi-th of Resaca a T-rail 
diagonally across the track was seen 
too late to stop. Capt. Fuller was 
standing on the tender, and he clung 
to the side and closed his eyes a mo- 
ment in anticipation of a crash. The 
right fore wheel swept the rail off the 
track like it had been a straw, and 
they were safe again. They were said 
to have been making 55 miles an hour. 
This was undoubtedly one of the rails 
whose removal halted the engine from 
Rome. It was probably dropped off 
the third and last box car, hence there 
was no time to place it straight across. 
Only two or three times were obstruc- 
tions met with between Resaca and 
Dalton, a distance of fifteen miles; 
these were quickly removed. At Dal- 




COL. WADE S. COTHRAN. banker and pro- 
moter, who, with John Hume, caused the 
Nobles to move to Rome. 



150 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



ton the telegraph operator was drop- 
ped, and he managed to get his mes- 
sage on the line a few seconds before 
the wires were snipped up the road. 
The customary acknowledgment at the 
end of the message was not received 
from Chattanooga because the pliers 
had been used so quickly. 

Two miles north of Dalton the des- 
perate fugitives were seen frantically 
attempting to tear up a rail. Col. Jesse 
A. Glenn's regiment was camping 
nearby, and its members also noticed 
the work of Andrews' men. Before 
the soldiers could come up, the An- 
drews band had made off again. The 
fifteen miles from Dalton to Ringgold 
(Catoosa County) was made in faster 
time than Capt. Fuller had ever made 
it in his 22 years as a conductor. At 
middle distance between these two 
points stood the long tunnel at Tunnel 
Hill, Whitfield County. Here was a 
fine opportunity for the pursued to 
wreck the determined pursuers. Had 
they stopped a short distance beyond 
the tunnel and sent their last box car 
into the dark passageway, a shocking 
tragedy might have been enacted. 
However, they were too hotly pursued 
to try such an experiment. 

The intervening distance had been 
eaten up by the "Texas" until, half 
way between Ringgold and Graysville 
(a mile and a half north of Ringgold), 
the "General" was only a quarter of 
a mile in the lead. The "General" was 
weakening perceptibly, due to complete 
exhaustion of her wood and water sup- 
ply. The last splinter had been shoved 
into the firebox and the last drop of 
water squeezed from her tank. The 
once white smoke belching from her 
clumsy but business-like stack had 
been transformed into a hot breath. 
The 20 reckless mutineers who had 
commandeered her would have chucked 
in their hats, shirts and shoes except 
for the job of tearing through bram- 
bles and streams. Several pine knots 
had been passed back to the box cars 
to set them on fire and send to the rear 
a flaming messenger of death. Had 
this sortie been successful, the chance 
of escape might have been greatly 
heightened, for the flames would have 
closed around the chugging "Texas" 
like a snare. A small fire was started 
in the car, but the dampness made) the 
attempt a failure. It was probable 
that the plan was to fire the car and 
leave it on the next bridge, but the 
"General" could not pull the grade, 
and the car was cut loose. Capt. Ful- 
ler picked it up, and put out the fire. 
The fugitives now abandoned the 



"General" and ran through the woods 
to the west. "Every man take care of 
himself!" shouted Andrews, and they 
scattered in squads of three or four. 

At Ringgold Capt. Fuller had sight- 
ed 50 or 75 soldiers and had shouted 
word for them to mount their horses 
and come forward in the chase. At a 
fork in the Chickamauga near Grays- 
ville four of the raiders were captured, 
and one of them was forced to tell who 
they were. The neighborhood was 
thoroughly awakened, and within a 
fortnight all of the 22 had been round- 
ed up, including the two who had failed 
to take the train at Marietta. Although 
badly tuckered out, Capt. Fuller, Capt. 
Murphy, Fleming Cox and Alonzo 
Martin took to the woods in pursuit of 
the raiders, but soon left the chase to 
the men on horseback. Some of the 
pursued hid out in mountains and 
canebrakes, but were turned up when 
they applied at farm houses for food. 

The following Kentucky and Ohio 
men participated in the raid:* 

Jas. J. Andrews, leader, citizen, 
Flemingsburg, Ky. ; Wm. H. Campbell, 
citizen, of Kentucky. 

Marion A. Ross, sergeant major; 
Wm. Pittinger, sergeant, Company G; 
Geo. D. Wilson, private. Company B; 
Chas. P. Shadrach, private. Company 
K, all of Second Ohio Infantry. 

Elihu H. Mason, sergeant, Company 
K; Jno. M. Scott, sergeant. Company 
F ; Wilson M. Brown, corporal. Com- 
pany F ; Mark Wood, private. Com- 
pany C; Jno. A. Wilson, private, Com- 
pany C ; Wm. Knight, private. Compa- 
ny E ; Jno. R. Porter, private, Com- 
pany G; Wm. Bensinger, private, Com- 
pany G; Robt. Buffum, private. Com- 
pany H, all of 21st Ohio Infantry. 

Martin J. Hawkins, corporal. Com- 
pany A; Wm. H. Reddick, corporal. 
Company B ; Daniel A. Dorsey, cor- 
poral, Company H; John Wollam, pri- 
vate. Company C; Samuel Slavens, pri- 
vate. Company E ; Samuel Robertson, 
private, Company G; Jacob Parrott, 
private. Company K, all of 33rd Ohio 
Infantry. 

Eight of these men, whose names ap- 
pear below, were executed by the Con- 
federate authorities at Atlanta, Ga., in 
June, 1862; Andrews on June 7, and 
Campbell, Ross, Geo. D. Wilson, Shad- 
rach, Scott, Slavens and Robertson on 
June 18. On Oct. 16, 1862, the eight 
following named made their escape 
from prison at Atlanta: Brown, Wood, 

''Letter, Feb. 18, 1903, from F. C. Ainsworth, 
chief of Record and Pension office, Washing- 
ton, D. C, to W. L. Danley, Nashville, Tenn. 



A Rome Engine Chases the "General' 



151 



John A. Wilson, Knight, Porter, Haw- 
kins, Dorsey and Wollani. The re- 
maining six members of the raiding 
party were paroled at City Point, Va., 
March 17, 1863. Their names follow: 
Pittinger, Mason, Bensinger, Buffum, 
Reddick and Parrott. Congress gave 
medals to all the survivors, who erect- 
ed a monument to their comrades in 
the National cemetery at Chicka- 
mauga, Ga. The N., C. & St. L. rail- 
way erected tablet stones at the points 
where the "General" was captured and 
was abandoned. The "Texas" stands 
in the southeastern part of Grant 
Park, Atlanta, defying the wind and 
the weather. The "Yonah" and the 
"Wm. R. Smith" are supposed to have 
been scrapped.* 

Sergt. Pittinger testified at his 
trial that when the "General" 
"broke down," they were burning 
oil cans, tool boxes and planks 
ripped off the freight car. As they 
abandoned her they reversed her 
in order to bring on a collision with 
the "Texas," but in their haste and 
excitement they left the brake on 
the tender, and there was not suf- 
ficient steam to back the engine. 
In his book, "Capturing a Locomo- 
tive," he says : 

We obstructed the track as well as 
we could by laying on crossties at dif- 
ferent places. We also cut the wires 
between every station. Finally, when 
we were nearly to the station where 
we expected to meet the last train, 
we stopped to take up a rail. We had 
no instruments but a crowbar, and 
instead of pulling out the spikes, as 
we could have done with the pinch 
bars used for that purpose by rail- 
road men, we had to batter them out. 
Just as we were going to relinquish 
the effort, the whistle of an engine in 
pursuit sounded in our ears.** With 
one convulsive effort we broke the 



♦Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials & Legends, 
Vol. II, p. 234, says Andrews was hanged at 
Ponce DeLeon Avenue and Peachtree Street, 
following his conviction at Chattanooga as a 
spy : that the seven others hanged were tried 
alt Knoxville, and were taken from the old jail 
at Fair and Fraser Streets, Atlanta, and 
hanged near Oakland cemetery, on land now 
owned by the street railway company ; and that 
the eight escaped the Atlanta jail in broad 
daylight and made their way to the Union lines. 

**The whistle they heard was on the Rome 
engine, the "Wm. R. Smith." Accfirding to the 
N., C. & St. L. booklet, p. 9, 60 yards of track 
was torn up at that point. 

***N., C. & St. L. booklet, ps. 21-23. 

****Father of Robt. F. Maddox, former mayor 
of Atlanta. 



rail in two, took up our precious half 
rail and left. 

We were scarcely out of sight of the 
place where we had taken up the half 
rail before the other train met us. 
This was safely passed. When our 
pursuers came to the place where the 
broken rail was taken up, they aban- 
doned their engine and ran on foot 
till they met the freight train, and 
turned it back after us. 

We adopted every expedient we 
could think of to delay pursuit, but as 
we were cutting the wire near Cal- 
houn, they came in sight of us. We 
instantly put our engine to full speed, 
and in a moment the wheels were 
striking fire from the rails in their 
rapid revolutions. The car in which 
we rode rocked furiously and threw 
us from one side to the other like 
peas rattled in a gourd. 

I then proposed to Andrews to let 
our engineer take the engine out of 
sight, while we hid in a curve, after 
putting a crosstie on the track; when 
they checked to remove the obstruc- 
tions, we could rush on them, shoot 
every person on the engine, reverse it 
and let it drive backward at will. 

The Southern Confederacy, a 
paper published in Atlanta at the 
time, wrote :*** 

The fugitives, not expecting pur- 
suit, quietly took in wood and water 
at Cass Station, and borrowed a 
schedule from the bank tender on the 
plausible pretext that they were run- 
ning a pressed train loaded with pow- 
der for Beauregard. 

They had on the engine a red hand- 
kerchief, indicating that the regular 
passenger train would be along pres- 
ently. They stopped at Adairsville 
and said that Fuller, with the regu- 
lar passenger train, was behind, and 
would wait at Kingston for the freight 
train, and told the conductor to push 
ahead and meet him at that point. 
This was done to produce a collision 
with Capt. Fuller's train. 

When the morning freight reached 
Big Shanty, Lieut. Cols. R. F. Mad- 
dox**** and C. D. Phillips took the en- 
gine, and with 50 picked men, follow- 
ed on as rapidly as possible. Capt. 
Fuller on his return met them at Tun- 
nel Hill and turned them back. Peter 
Bracken, the engineer on the "Texas," 
ran his engine 50 1^ miles — two miles 
backing the whole freight train up to 
Adairsville; made twelve stops, cou- 
pled the two cars dropped by the fu- 
gitives, and switched them off on sid- 



152 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



ings — all in one hour and five min- 
utes." 

The part played by the Rome en- 
gine and her crew was warmly 
praised by the citizens and the 
military authorities. Indeed, not 
only was an important link sup- 
plied, but the appearance of the en- 
gine at the point of broken track 
no doubt prevented a wreck of the 
southbound freight piloted by En- 
gineer Bracken. Had a wreck oc- 
curred, Capt. Fuller would have 
pushed on to Adairsville afoot, and 
the raiders would probably have 
been able to carry out at least a 
part of their design. 

Out on his farm in North Rome 
Col. Wade S. Cothran, superin- 
tendent of the Rome Railroad, 
always took note of the time when 
the train passed the Rome brick 
yard, not far to the ^otitheast. On 
this occasion no train came, and 
Col. Cothran remarked to his fam- 
ily that something must have hap- 
pened. Next morning a messenger 



arrived with news of the capture 
and Col. Cothran announced with 
a great deal of pride at the break- 
fast table that Wiley Harbin and 
'"Little Cis" Smith had written 
their names on history's everlast- 
ing scroll. 

As for the Highland Rangers 
and the Wimpee brothers, of 
Rome, they made a praiseworthy 
dash through the hills by horse 
but could not keep up with the fly- 
ing Fuller and his daredevil pace- 
makers. 

Frustation of this daring sally 
and plot postponed until August 
1863, the capture of Chattanooga 
by the Federal general, Wm. S. 
Rosecrans. 



*It appeal's that the total distance traveled 
by Capt. Fuller was about 85 % miles ; afoot 
two miles to Moon's, 12 miles by handcar to 
Etowah, 14 miles by the "Yonah" to Kingston, 5 
miles beyond Kingston on the "Wm. R. Smith," 
two more afoot, and then hO i/i miles on the 
"Texas." Although practically all the partici- 
pants were armed, there is no evidence that 
any shots were exchanged. The Tri-Weekly 
Courier recorded the fall of Hunts ville Apr. 11, 
but did not mention the Andrews Raid. 




CHAPTER III. 
Activities of the Folks at Home 



WHILE there was such a fe- 
verish activity at the front, 
what were the "Home 
Guard" and the women do- 
ing far from the sound of musket 
and drum ? 

Mrs. Mary Turnley Reynolds, 
historian of the Rome Chapter, 
United Daughters of the Confed- 
eracy, contributed the following 
to the archives of that institution 
m 1900: 

The work accomplished by the ladies 
of Rome for the gallant men who sac- 
rificed the comforts of home and fire- 
side, donned the suit of gray to fight 
for native land and Southern rights, 
is a part of the history of our South- 
land that is too noble to be for- 
gotten; and the names of the heroines 
who figured behind the lines must be 
recorded along with the names of the 
heroes who sacrificed their all for 
Southern rights. 

Of those who were prominent in the 
work for their country during those 
troublous times, your historian finds 
many who have passed into the beau- 
tiful and far-away land. Some have 
removed their homes to other states. 
Some are living at a ripe and happy 
old age among the families and friends 
of their youth. Included in these 
might be mentioned Mrs. J. G. Yeiser, 
widow of Col. Yeiser, who also served 
in the Mexican war; Mrs. J. M. Greg- 
ory, widow of Dr. Gregory, once mayor 
of Rome and a surgeon in Company 
A, Eighth Georgia Regiment; Mrs. 
Martha Battey, widow of Dr. Robt. 
Battey, a surgeon in the 19th Geor- 
gia Regiment; and Mrs. P. L. Turn- 
ley, wife of Dr. Turnley, the drug- 
gist. From the above-named ladies 
and Mrs. Eben Hillyer, wife of Dr. 
Eben Hillyer, your historian has gath- 
ered valuable data which gives us a 
vivid picture of the times. 

The first thing to cheer the soldier 
to duty was an illumination of the 
town at night. This was very gen- 
eral in Rome. An exception was made 
by Mrs. Battey, who, with her native 
decision of character, refused to "light 
up," saying, "We should fight under 
the Stars and Stripes." But loving 
her country and her people, she soon 



joined in the serious part of the 
drama. 

Our first charity organization for 
war purposes was the Ladies' Benevo- 
lent Association. Mrs. Nicholas J. 
Bayard, mother of Mrs. John J. Seay, 
was made president, and Mrs. Wm. A. 
Fort secretary. Unfortunately, the 
minutes kept by Mrs. Fort have been 
destroyed. 

The vice-president was Mrs. Wade 
S. Cothran. 

Among the members were Mesdames 
J. M. Gregory, Jno. W. H. Under- 
wood, Robt. T. Hargrove, J. J. Cohen, 
Wm. Ketcham, Hollis Cooley, Eben 
Hillyer, Dan'l S. Printup, D. Mack 
Hood, H. V. M. Miller, Jas. Noble, 
M. A. Pearson, A. G. Pitner, O. B. 
Eve, Thos. W. Alexander, Thos. Haw- 
kins, Chas. H. Smith, Reuben S. Nor- 
ton, Nicholas J. Omberg, J. M. M. 
Caldwell, Mary Sullivan, Wm. Moore, 
Jas. W. Hinton, W. I. Brookes, M. H. 
Graves, Mrs. Booten, Mrs. Lawrence 
and Mrs. Johnson. 

The society was founded in Jan- 
uary, 1861, at the suggestion of Rev. 
Jas. W. Hinton, then pastor of the 
First Methodist church. Its main pur- 
pose at first was to make garments 
and attend to other physical needs of 
the soldiers. Edward C. Hough, a na- 
tive of the north, who had volunteer- 
ed for field service, was exempted in 
order that he might direct the making 
of these garments at home; Nicholas 
J. Omberg, another tailor, who was 
killed by a scout band in 1864, as- 
sisted him. 

The city hall, southwest corner of 
Broad Street and Fifth Avenue, was 
occupied for garment making. How 
valiantly the ladies went at their task 
is thus told by Editor Dwinell in The 
Courier of May 17, 1861: 

"The Ladies at Work. — The ladies 
of Rome are now engaged at the city 
hall in m.aking uniforms and articles 
of clothing for the volunteer compa- 
nies. Some 20 or 30 are there all the 
time; they work as their circum- 
stances will admit; some in the after- 
noon, some one day, others next, while 
still others are there early and late 
every day. Such zealous patriotism 
is worthy of the highest commenda- 
tion, and men who would not fight for 
thi^ defense and protection of such la- 



154 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



dies ought to be forever banished from 
the pleasures of their society." 

Another little notice reads thus: 

''2'he Work Goes Beautifully On. — 
There is quite a large number of la- 
dies still daily engaged at the city hall 
in the manufacture of clothing for the 
volunteers. They have a number of 
patent sewing machines, yet it is 
patent ('how^ Mr. Dwinell loved to 
pun!') to every susceptible gentleman 
that those -wiih black or blues eyes, 
whose almost continuous chatter is 
like the soft, silvery tones of sweetest 
bells, are incomparably more interest- 
ing. We are requested to state that 
any lady wishing to assist in this 
patriotic work is expected to report at 
the city hall at once." 

Mrs. Underwood and Mrs. Fort were 
the first to remove their sewing ma- 
chines to the city hall, and others fol- 
lowed. The association did fine work 
among the poor, and furnished work 
for many women who would have 
suffered when winter came. 

On Aug. 19, 1861, a call was sound- 
ed for an organization of broader ob- 
jects and service, since it was seen 
that the war would be long and bloody. 
Four days later a meeting was held 
at the city hall and the Ladies' Aid 
Society formed. Rev. Chas. H. Still- 
well, pastor of the First Baptist 
church, was made president; Mrs. 
Geo. P. Burnett, Mrs. M. H. Graves, 
Mrs. N. J. Bayard, and Mrs. Booten, 
vice-presidents; and Rev. James W. 
Hinton, pastor of the First Methodist 
church, secretary and treasurer. 
Among the members were the follow- 
ing: 

Mrs. Dr. Anderson, Mrs. Attaway, 
Mrs. J. W. M. Berrien, Mrs. Robt. 
Battey, Miss Florida Bayard, Mrs N. 
J. Bayard, Mrs. Billups, Miss Mol- 
lie Billups, Miss Mary Billups, Mrs. 
A. W. Caldwell, Mrs. J. J. Cohen, Mrs. 
Hollis Cooley, Mrs. Wade S. Cothran, 
Mrs. Wm. A. Fort, Mrs. Jno. R. Free- 
man, Mrs. Simpson Fouche, Mrs. A. 
E. Graves, Miss E. W. Graves, Mrs. 
M. H. Graves, Mrs. Dennis Hills, Mrs. 
Jno. W. Hooper, Miss Malinda Har- 
grove, Mrs. Robt. T. Hargrove, Mrs. 
Hale, Mrs. A. R. Harper, Mrs. Jno. 
Harkins, Mrs. John Hume, Mrs. D. M. 
Hood, Mrs. Jesse Lamberth, Mrs. C. 
H. Lee, Mrs. Lilienthal, Mrs. Morris 
Marks, Mrs. C. W. Mills, Mrs. L. 
Magnus, Mrs. Morrison, Miss M. E. 
Murphy, Miss V. A. Murphy, Mrs. J. 
H. McClung, Mrs. Wm. Moore, Mrs. 
Wm. T. Newman, Mrs. Jas. Noble, 
Mrs. Reuben S. Norton, Miss Mary 



W. Noble, Miss Parks, Mrs. M. A. 
Pearson, Mrs. C. M. Pennington, Mrs. 
A. G. Pitner, Mrs. Pepper, Mrs. Wm. 
Quinn, Mrs. Dr. Chas. Todd Quin- 
tard, Mrs. Wm. Ramey, Mrs. Jane 
Russell, Mrs. Rawls, Jr., Mrs. Rawls, 
Sr., Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. 
A. M. Sloan, Miss Martha B. Spullock, 
Mrs. Samuel Stewart, Mrs. Samuel J. 
Stevens, Mrs. Chas. H. Stillwell, Miss 
Savannah E. Stillwell, Mrs. Mary Sul- 
livan, Mrs. Chas. H. Smith, Mrs. Jno. 
R. Towers, Miss Lizzie Underwood, 
Mrs. Jno. W. H. Underwood, Mrs. 
Jas. Banks Underwood, Mrs. Jos. E. 
Veal, Mrs. James Ware, Mrs. C. Wat- 
ters, Mrs. Whittesey, Mrs. Thos. J. 
Word, Mrs. Augustus R. Wright, Mrs. 
J. G. Yeiser. 

This society adopted a constitution 
and by-laws, and the members paid $1 
a year membership dues. Three wom- 
en in each county district solicited 
contributions. Mrs. Jas. Ware made 
some blankets that were very fine. 
Among things sent in were wool, 
socks, vegetables, red peppers, pepper 
sauce, tomato catsup, blackberry wine 
and cordial ; in fact, everything of a 
useful nature poured into headquar- 
ters, and was despatched as fast as 
limited transportation facilities would 
allow. Five carloads were sent to the 
front and training camps before the 
first year closed. 

Auxiliaries were formed in each 
district, and a Children's Aid Society 
came into being in September, 1861. 
Mrs. Easter, wife of the Episcopal 
rector, had charge. The children were 
a great help in running errands, and 
some of them could knit and sew. They 
sent many sheets, pillow cases and 
bandages to the Savannah hospital. 

Quite a number of beautiful tab- 
leaux were presented at the city hall 
under the management of Mrs. Daniel 
S. Printup and Mrs. D. Mack Hood, 
and the sum raised was $137.70. One 
of the scenes showed Kentucky in 
chains held by Lincoln, and another 
Maryland prostrate, and Lincoln bend- 
ing over her with a sword. Twenty- 
four girls in homespun from Rev. 
Chas. W. Howard's school at Spring 
Bank, Bartow County, attended this 
tableau. 

The Soldiers' Aid Association decid- 
ed in August, 1861, that a relief room 
was needed for the wounded soldiers 
who were coming back from the front 
as the excess from the crowded army 
hospitals. Mrs. Robt. Battey was 
elected president of this new organi- 
zation, and on Aug. 23 the "Wayside 
Home" was onened at the southeast 



Activities of the Folks at Home 



155 




156 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



corner of Broad Street and First Ave- 
nue, opposite the Hamilton-Shorter 
block, and quite convenient to the 
Rome railroad station, just across the 
street. Drs. T. J. Word and J. M. 
Gregory had charge as managers, and 
the committee on arrangements was 
made up of Col. Wade S. Cothran, J. 
M. Elliott, Robt. T. Hargrove, C. W. 
Mills and Daniel R. Mitchell. The 
v/omen's committees follow: Mrs. Fort, 
Mrs. Rawls and Mrs. Bayard for 
Monday; Mrs. Battey, Mrs. Sloan 
and Mrs. Yeiser, Tuesday; Mrs. Noble, 
Mrs. Marks, and Mrs. Hargrove, Wed- 
nesday; Mrs. Mills, Mrs. Hills and 
Mrs. Stillwell, Thursday; Mrs. Smith, 
Mrs. Hooper and Mrs. McClung, Fri- 
day; Mrs. Towers, Mrs. Freeman and 
Mrs. Russell, Saturday; Mrs. Roberts, 
Mrs. Morrison, Mrs. Rawls, Sr., Mrs. 
Ramey, Mrs. Lilienthal and Mrs. 
Cohen, Sunday. 

A great deal of medicine, bandages 
and everything needed in a first-aid 
station, including considerable cloth- 
ing, was put at the Wayside Home for 
the use of doctors and committees, and 
quite a number of sick and wounded 
soldiers were served satisfactorily. 
Presently came a sick soldier who was 
little more than a boy, named Wil- 




MARTHA BALDWIN SMITH, 18, just after 
her marriage in 1849 to Dr. Robt. Battey. 
She died Sunday, P>b. 5, 1922, aged 91. 



liam Lynch, of Louisiana. During the 
days before a complete diagnosis could 
be made by Dr. Word, the lad was at- 
tended by Mesdames Smith, Harper, 
Stewart, Underwood, Spullock, Cooley, 
Harkins, Stillwell, Hale, Rawls, Sr., 
Lilienthal, Cothran, A. E. Graves, At- 
taway, Norton, Sanders, Moore and 
Quinn. After a week, Dr. Word said 
it was smallpox. That was Tuesday. 
Necessarily there was a great deal 
of alarm. The women were isolated 
at once; everybody was afraid to go 
near them. 

On Tuesday afternoon Mrs. Battey 
went to the room, having heard the 
news. She was warned by Dr. Greg- 
ory that a smallpox patient was on 
the inside, but she insisted on going 
in, and there she found the lad crying. 
She told him not to be troubled, that 
he would be cared for. Having en- 
countered the advanced stages, Mrs. 
Battey was requested to keep company 
with herself. Three or four days later 
she took sick, and she says the only 
person in town who was brave enough 
to come to her relief was Col. W. A. 
Fort. Col. Fort treated her for a se- 
vere cold and she was up again pres- 
ently. 

When Mrs. Battey fell ill, William 
Howe volunteered to take charge of 
William Lynch. Here is an extract 
from a letter written by Mr. Howe 
from the sick room: 

"Thinking that the public would 
like to hear what is going on in this 
dreaded chamber of disease, I feel a 
desire to gratify it. My friends may 
think that time rolls heavily with me, 
but such is not the case. However, 
the room is under martial law and I 
am monarch of all I survey. His 
Honor the Mayor (Dr. Thos. J. Word) 
has created me military dictator. 

"I have two patients to nurse, two 
of the most patient, gentle sufferers 
that were ever afflicted. I really love 
them. The boy who has smallpox is 
Wm. Lynch, who is only 17 years old 
and has been in six battles. He had 
been discharged on account of feeble- 
ness caused from a long spell of ty- 
phoid fever, and was on the way to 
his home in Louisiana when he took 
smallpox here. The boy soldier will 
yet be a man if careful nursing on 
my part and the skill of the doctor 
can save him. 

"God bless our women! Here their 
true worth is felt. Every comfort, ev- 
ery appliance to the wants of the sick 
is within my reach; and when I have 
occasion for a clean pillow slip, sheet 



Activities of the Folks at Home 



157 



or towel, the closet is crammed full 
of them, and I involuntarily exclaim, 
'God bless them!' 

"I can not close this letter without 
furnishing a grateful acknowledgment 
to Col. Pennington, His Honor the 
Mayor, Dr. Gregory, Mrs. Wm. A. 
Fort, Mrs. Dr. Battey, Mrs. Dr. Un- 
derwood and Mrs. Omberg." 

The plight of the women and 
tlieir sense of duty is expressed in 
the following card to The Courier : 

While we all lament the existence of 
this horrible war, shall we leave our 
brave defenders to suffer alone? Shall 
we not bravely endure our portion of 
the toil and danger? Oh, yes; let us 
not shrink from the duty that lies 
before us; and while we make use of 
every precaution for the safety of our 
families, go steadily forward trusting 
in God, thankful that we have only 
disease to contend with and have been 
spared the barbarous treatment which 
our bloody and deceitful enemies have 
inflicted on other parts of our country. 
It sometimes happens that those who 
flee are the first to perish, while God 
protects the faithful. 

As the Mayor of the City has taken 
charge of the Soldiers' Relief room, 
no more appointments will be made by 
the committee of ladies, who will now 
withdraw until again called upon by 
the gentlemen to perform their duties. 

The boy recovered ; two negroes 
contracted the disease from him, 
and one of them filed. He soon 
left for his home, his heart grate- 
ful to the kindly Romans. As if 
echoing- the prophetic words of 
Mr. Howe- he used to lie on his 
cot and repeat, "Once a man, twice 
a child!" 

Mrs. Reynolds continues : 

The doors of the Wayside Home 
were never opened again, and the con- 
tents were burned to prevent a spread 
of the disease. What the destruction 
of all this meant to those whose fin- 
gers had worked so ceaselessly to make 
it can scarcely be imagined. For sev- 
eral months the women contributed as 
individuals. An earlier donation by 
Mrs. Thos. J. Perry will give an idea 
of the extent: 1 quilt, 10 pairs of 
woolen socks, 10 of cotton drawers, 1 
of suspenders, 2 of gloves, 3 towels, 2 
pillow cases, 3 nubias, 1 bundle of 
bandages, 6 cakes of salve, 8 of soap, 
1 bottle of black pepper, 1 bunch of 



red pepper, 1 bundle of sage, and 6 
candles. In addition to the societies 
mentioned the St. Peter's Hospital As- 
sociation (of the Episcopal church) 
had been organized by Dr. Easter, and 
it sent forward a vast amount of hos- 
pital supplies. Prominent in the or- 
ganization were Mrs. Jos. E. Veal, 
Mrs. Geo. R. Ward, Mrs. Jno. W. 
Noble, Miss Mary W. Noble and Miss 
Palmer. 

On February 16, 1862, Fort Donel- 
son, Mississippi River, fell after a ter- 
rible battle, and hospitals in the South, 
already well filled, were taxed be- 
yond their capacities. This fact sug- 
gested that Rome open hospitals. The 
first was on Broad Street between 
Fourth Avenue and the old city hall, 
at Fifth; Dr. Fox had charge, and the 
matrons were Mrs. Reeves and Mrs. 
Merck. Several hundred injured were 
taken into Rome residences, but these 
were removed when the churches were 
converted into places of operation, 
treatment and convalescence. 

A hospital association was formed 
at the court house with Mrs. Nicholas 
J. Bayard president and Mrs. Wm. 
A. Fort secretary and treasurer. As 
usual, the entire county was canvass- 
ed for members and supplies. Mrs. 
J. G. Yeiser received much praise for 
her tireless efforts with the sick and 
the wounded. Part of the time of 
the women was spent cutting ban- 




MRS. ALFRED SHORTER, from an old minia- 
ture in the possession of Mrs. Waller T. 
Turnbull. 



158 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



dages out of old sheets and the like, 
and in combing old table cloths for lint. 
Dr. Robt. Battey was in charge of 
the hospitals at this time.* Gradually 
the Northern army came closer to 
Rome, and the hospitals were moved 
to Macon and elsewhere farther 
south.** 

Again, in 1867, we see our noble 
women rally with grateful and loving 
hearts in a tribute to their dead. The 
"Ladies' Memorial Association" was or- 
ganized with Mrs. N. J. Bayard as 
its first president; Mrs. D. Mack 
Hood was the second president, Mrs. 
Thos. W. Alexander the third, until 
her death; and then Mrs. Henry A. 
Smith — all kept bright like burning 
incense the deeds of our beloved broth- 
ers, scattered posies and twined the 
evergreen where our heroes lie. The 
Daughters of the Confederacy must 
not let such efforts go unsung. As 
long as time lasts we will weave gar- 
lands of myrtle and ivy for their head- 
stones, and moisten their graves with 
our tears. 

The struggle for food further 
exemplified the splendid fortitude 
and spirit of self-Scicrifice among 
the women. It must be remem- 




bered that the blockade of South- 
ern ports was almost "water 
tight," and that the absence from 
farm and shop of nearly all the 
younger men curtailed production 
enormously. 

Spinning wheel and loom were 
recalled to make thread so that 
socks might be sent the soldiers, 
and worn at home. 

Many of the articles of food 
that had been abundant were ob- 
tainable no more, and various stib- 
stitutes were employed. For cof- 
fee they used rye, wheat, okra 
seed, dried apples, sweet potatoees 
and persimmon seed ; the rye and 
okra seed were simply parched and 
ground, and sweet potatoes were 
cut into small pieces, dried and 
parched. 

Salt was so scarce that it was 
priced the same as sugar in Con- 
federate money in 1862 — $10 a 
bushel. The salt from meats in 
smoke houses was used. This was 
obtained by wetting smoke house 
earth, and boiling down the drip- 
pings until nothing but salt re- 
mained. Presently this gave out. 

Sorghum syrup made a poor 
substitute for sugar. 

People dipped talloAV and made 
candles, or poured hog fat into tin 
moulds. Wicks were put in first, 
and when cold, the candles were 
drawn out. 

Dyes for clothing were cop- 
peras, bark stain and pokeberry 
extract. 

All the leather went into shoes, 
saddles and pistol holsters for the 
soldiers. Women's shoe tops were 
made of coarse duck and dyed 
black with oil and soot. Shoe 
strings were made of hard twisted 



MR. AND MRS. I. D. FORD, a beloved couple 
of Rome, the parents of the first Mrs. Joseph 
L. Bass. 



*In 1863 Dr. Battey had charge of the Bell 
hospital, and it is presumed this was on Broad 
between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. He also 
had charge of the Polk hospital, on the west 
side of Broad Street between Second and Third 
Avenues. Polk hospital was moved to Macon. 

**According to the war diary of the late 
Reuben S. Norton, the last hospital was moved 
from Rome Dec. 8, 1863. 



Activities of the Folks at Home 



159 





H ^.-JP^ 


^ ~ 






-■mr 






iu 


li' 




■n 


k. 




A GROUP WHICH SUGGESTS THE LONG AGO. 

At the top is Mrs. T. J. Simmons, for a number of years, with her husband, the head 
of Shorter College; beside her are Dr. and Mrs. Robt. T. Hoyt; on the left at the bottom 
is Mrs. W. I. Brookes, then come John Locke Martin, journalist and poet, and Mrs. Mary 
Eve, of Eve Station. 



thread. Squirrel skins made good 
shoe tops and caps. 

Good toilet and laundry soap 
were "manufactured" from lye 
extracted from ashes. 

For soda, corn cobs were burn- 
ed into ashes and lye made there- 
from, and this was mixed with 
sour milk. Butter bean hulls were 
used in the same way. 



During the autumn, when the 
sorghum was being ground, 
peaches, apples, wild grapes and 
wild cherries furnished the "base" 
for jams and jellies. The sorg- 
hum was used as sweetening, and 
the product after cooking was 
called preserves. 

If the invaders shot down sheep 
in the pasture, the good woman 



160 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



went to the spot with her shears 
and got enough wool for socks 
and stockings. 

Serviceable women's hats were 
fashioned out of corn shucks, and 
in fact, every product of nature 
was utilized in some way, and the 
people learned indelibly just what 
is necessary to sustain life, and 
just what contributes to "high 
Hfe." 

The situation was helped with 
some families when the Northern 
troops captured the country. "We 
have the shelter," invited certain 
householders. "We have the 
food," responded many of the boys 
in blue ; so those who could not 
be accommodated in tents moved 
into homes, and shared their food 
with the occupants. Cooking was 
done in common. 

When the corn was gathered in 
the fall of 1864, it constituted the 
principal article of food. Families 
lived through the winter on lye 
hominy, grits and sorghum and 
what little bread they could find. 

Eventually the soldiers left and 
all semblance of authority col- 
lapsed. Little food was to be had, 
and blood-thirsty, plundering van- 
dals stalked through the prostrat- 
ed communities, robbing and mur- 
dering the defenseless inhabitants. 

The final surrender in the spring 
of 1865 brought the men home, 
and they agreed that the front was 
little worse ; so all set to work to 
make something out of little or 



nothing. How heroically and well 
they repaired their broken for- 
tunes is a story that furnishes one 
of the most helpful chapters in 
the history of Dixieland. 

Many cases of extreme dan- 
ger and acute sulifering were re- 
ported from the country districts, 
Mdiere women often stepped into 
the places of the men in the fields. 

"The most novel thing I have 
seen in some time was a woman 
plowing yesterday, with a pistol 
buckled around her," wrote "R.," 
a Courier correspondent. May 5, 
1863, from Bridgeport, Ala.; and 
he continued : 

She is an intelligent woman, and her 
husband is in the army at Shelby- 
ville. I asked her why she carried 
a pistol and she said she knew the 
thieving disposition of the Federals, 
and had been dispossessed of every- 
thing but one horse and corn barely 
sufficient to make a crop, and she was 
determined to defend what was left 
to the last. One of our men, a noble- 
hearted farmer from Floyd County, 
was on picket, but being off post at 
the time, took hold of the plow and 
assisted her in laying off her corn 
rows. 

Sir, with such women, starvation is 
out of the question, and subjugation 
impossible. This woman, with her 
child sitting in the field, toils away, 
knowing that justice is God's empire. 
Let the faint-hearted and effeminate 
take courage at such examples. 

News of Forrest's great victory near 
Rome has just reached us and dis- 
appointment is seen in the countenance 
of every man of this battalion, be- 
cause we were not permitted to go 
on and participate in the brilliant af- 
fair so near our homes. 




CHAPTER IV. 
Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 



AN INCIDENT of the war 
wliich vied in spectacnlarity 
with the Andrews' raid was 
the Hathaway-Streight in- 
cursion into Alabama and Georgia 
from Tennessee, in April and May, 
1863, and the capture of the com- 
mand by Forrest's force, less than 
one-third as large. Indeed, this 
incident was not surpassed by any 
similar occurrence during the con- 
flict, yet we find the historians 
(especially outside of the South) 
complacently sleeping on their 
pens with regard to it. 

There were two circumstances 
which called for proper exploita- 
tion from the native historians and 
for a degree of silence elsewhere ; 
410 men captured 1,466, and the 
event developed a hero whose ride 
in certain respects outstripped the 
well - sung Paul Revere — soldier, 
silversmith, electro-engraver and 
manufacturer of cannon. 

John H. Wisdom, stage coach 
driver and rural mail carrier, 
warned Rome of the enemy's ap- 
proach, and Gen. Forrest captured 
them almost at the city's gates. 
That was Sunday, May 3, 1863 — 
the first Union troops Romans had 
seen. Gen. Sherman later com- 
plimented Forrest with the state- 
ment that "his cavalry will travel 
100 miles while ours travels ten." 
It had been left to the intrepid 
Confederate general to demon- 
strate how a small band could 
pursue such a superior force 
through the mountains and over 
the streams of two states and 
make them lay down their arms. 
The feat was accomplished 
through strategy as well as force. 
After Forrest had sent in a flag of 
truce, demanding surrender. Col. 
Abel D. Streight, of the 51st In- 
diana Volunteers, asked the terms. 



"Unconditional surrender, your 
officers to retain their side arms 
and personal efifects," was the re- 
ply. "I have reinforcements and 
it is useless for you to sacrifice 
your men." 

Forrest met Streight at the 
meeting place. Streight wanted to 
argue, and Forrest wanted an an- 
swer. Capt. Henry Poynter dash- 
ed up, and Forrest gave him or- 
ders for the disposition of certain 
imaginary units of men ; the order 
had previously been given to 
march the artillery around a hill, 
then out of sight, and to keep them 
circling the brow. Streight was 
so impressed that he capitulated. 
The place was in Alabama near 
the Georgia line, about 20 miles 
below Rome. 

From the Tri-Weekly Courier, 

with dates as indicated, we get 

other details : 

Great Victory — Great Joy! — The 
Yankees in Rome at last! Sunday 
morning last opened at half past two 
o'clock a. m. with an alarm. Mr. 
John H. Wisdom, of Gadsden, Ala., 
and a former resident of this city, 
reached here after Tiding with hot 
haste for eleven hours, and gave in- 
formation, that the enemy were at 
Gadsden when he left, and were bound 
for Rome. 

Preparations were begun with de- 
spatch, and by 9 o'clock in the morn- 
ing our soldiery and citizens were pre- 
pared to give them a warm reception. 
Two pieces of artillery were placed in 
position, commanding the road and the 
bridge, cotton barricades erected at 
all the defiles of the city, videttes 
sent out to watch the enemy's ap- 
proach. Everything was got in read- 
iness for determined resistance. Dur- 
ing the morning several couriers with 
despatches from Gen. Forrest arrived, 
urging our commander here to hold 
them at bay for a few hours if possi- 
ble, at all hazards. About 2 o'clock 
another despatch from Gen. Forrest, 
saying he was fighting them at Gay- 
lesville, Ala., with an inferior force. 



162 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



About 9 o'clock a. m. a small body 
of the enemy's advance (about 200) 
reached the environs of the city, and 
were actually bold enough to dismount 
and feed their horses almost in sight 
of the city. They picked up all the 
horses and mules in the neighborhood, 
took some citizens prisoners and re- 
connoitered the defenses of the city. 
Learning that we were prepared with 
artillery, they bivouacked, and seemed 
to await the arrival of the main body. 
For some cause they retreated about 3 
o'clock down the Alabama road. They 
were pursued by a small but resolute 
band of citizens, who were determined 
that the affair should not end thus. 

In the meantime, Gen. Forrest had 
overtaken the main body near Gayles- 
ville, and not far this side of Cedar 
Bluff. After some slight skirmishing. 
Gen. Forrest demanded a surrender. 
An interview was held under flag of 
truce and the terms of surrender 
agreed upon. The entire Yankee force, 
consisting of 1,800 men, were made 
prisoners of war, and as this included 
the bold adventurers who had looked 
with insulting eyes upon the church 
spires of the city, they, too, were turn- 
ed into disarmed infantry. They were 
met by Gen. Forrest's advance, about 
the same time that our citizen cavalry 
overtook them in the pursuit. 

Gen. Forrest arrived in the city 
with all the Yankee officers and the 
small body of troops alluded to on 
Sunday evening about 6 o'clock p. m. 
The rest of both forces reached here 
yesterday morning. But mark what 
remains to be told. 

Gen. Forrest accomplished this bold 
feat with less than 700 men, though 
the rest of his command were in sup- 
porting distance. Thus terminated the 
last Sabbath. Such a jubilee Rome 
has never experienced! Such raptures 
over Gen. Forrest and his brave men! 

When it is considered what a dar- 
ing raid the enemy aspired to — what 
an extensive circuit they contemplated 
— what irreparable damage they had 
deliberately planned (being the burn- 
ing of the bridges on the State road, 
and the destruction of government 
property at Round Mountain, Dalton 
and Rome) it is wonderful how Gen. 
Forrest has managed to prevent the 
consummation of their designs. With 
more than 100 miles the start of him, 
he nevertheless has pressed them so 
hard with hot pursuit as to prevent 
material damage being done; except 
the destruction of the Round Moun- 
tain Iron Works in Cherokee County, 



Ala., they have done but little dam- 
age. Gen. Forrest has lost not exceed- 
ing 20 men in this glorious work. He 
killed and wounded about 300 of the 
enemy, among them Col. Hathaway, of 
Indiana. Col. Streight, of Indiana, 
was commanding the Federal forces. 

Heavy reinforcements arrived here 
yesterday at noon from Atlanta, but 
owing to the peculiar nature of exist- 
ing circumstances, they will have noth- 
ing to do but guard duty. — Tuesday 
morning. May 5, 1863. 

The Greatest Cavalry Achievement 
of the War — We had hoped to have 
been able to furnish our readers with 
the full particulars of the brilliant and 
successful achievement of Gen. For- 
rest in this issue of our paper, but 
our own business engagements and the 
constant occupation of the General 
with his official duties have rendered 
it impossible for us to obtain all the 
facts necessary for the preparation of 
such an article. Our readers may ex- 
pect a full history in our next issue, 
and until we can give a full and suc- 
cinct account of this brilliant cam- 
paign and glorious victory, we will 
refrain from further comment. — May 
7, 1863. 

Picnic to Gen. Forrest and His 
Brave Men on Saturday Next — Con- 
tributions expected from all the citi- 
zens of the county who feel able and 
willing to give honor to whom honor 
is due. Bring sufficient supplies, ready 
cooked and prepared; bring for 20 
men if you can, or for 10 men, or for 
5, besides a sufficient supply for your 
own family who attend. Report your 
name, with the number you will pro- 
vide for, to one of the undersigned: 
A. G. Pitner, T. G. Watters, C. H. 
Smith, A. M. Sloan, T. McGuire; Rome, 
Ga., May 4, 1863. 

We learn that the number of 
Yankees paroled (by Gen. Forrest in 
the capture of Streight) was 1,466 — 
officers and men. They were all sent 
off on Tuesday last. 

Rumor, with her thousand tongues, 
has got every one of them going, and 
there is no end to the wild reports 
that are in circulation. Report is hav- 
ing it that all North Georgia and 
Alabama are swarming with Yankees. 

A large number of horses were in 
the streets on Tuesday, many of which 
were identified as having been stolen 
by the Yankees in their recent raid 
through the country. 

The Yankees captured by Gen. For- 
rest are said to have been the pick 



Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 



163 



of Rosencrantz's army, and were really 
mounted infantry, having been drilled 
in both services. It is repoi-ted that 
Rosencrantz had offered them a boun- 
ty of $300 apiece and a discharge from 
the service to accomplish their object, 
which was to destroy Rome and the 
State road bridges. And better sub- 
jects for such infernal designs could 
scarcely have been selected, for a more 
villainous-looking set of scoundrels it 
has never been our misfortune to have 
seen before, and that, too, with scarce- 
ly an exception. What an escape a 
merciful Providence has vouchsafed to 
Rome! 

We noticed a telegram stating that 
the citizens of Rome met and fought 
the Yankees here on Sunday last. The 
only fighting was done by a few in- 
dependent scouts and videttes, who 
tried a round or two at them. But 
we learn that they were much sur- 
prised, as they expected to march in 
without any opposition. 

Tory Band — A citizen of Jackson 
County tells us that a number of 
Tories have banded themselves to- 
gether in Sand Mountain (Ala.) to 
resist conscription and the arrest of 
deserters — that they worsted a com- 
pany, more or less, of Confederate cav- 
alry who went there to arrest desert- 
ers and conscripts, some eight or ten 
days ago; that the facts have been 
reported to Tullahoma headquarters, 
and a force has been detailed suffi- 
cient to overcome the Tories. (Hunts- 
ville Confederate.) — Thursday, May 
7, 1863. 

The Most Brilliant Feat of the War 
— Soon after the fight between the 
Federals and Col. Roddy near Tus- 
eumbia, Ala., a column of 2,000 Fed- 
eral cavalry, all under command of 
Col. Hathaway, of the 73rd Indiana 
Cavalry, consisting of the 73rd and 
51st Indiana, 80th Illinois, and 3rd 
Ohio, diverged south, with two moun- 
tain Howitzers, with a view to cross 
the Sand Mountain and strike the 
Ceosa River at Gadsden, Ala.; thence 
pass the Round Mountain and Chat- 
tooga River Iron Works, to Rome; 
thence to Dalton, Ga. ; thence through 
East Tennessee and join Rosencrantz 
with a view to destroying the towns, 
bridges, iron foundries, railroads, com- 
missary supplies on this entire I'oute, 
making a raid of some 1,500 miles. 

This was a daring, well-planned, 
well-executed expedition, as far as it 
went. The troops and commanders 
were regarded as select, and the in- 



ducements to success were strong and 
overwhelming with the well-known 
Yankee character. The plunder and 
stealage belonged to the capturers. In 
the event of success, each member of 
the raid was to receive a gold medal, 
$300 in gold, and a discharge from 
the service during the war. To ac- 
celerate their movements they seized 
every valuable horse and mule that 
they could find, taking them from 
wagons, buggies, stables or plows, and 
as their surplus increased, dropping 
out their own weak and broken-down 
stock, and by this means always keep- 
ing mounted on fresh stock. 

On Wednesday, the 29th, Gen. For- 
rest, with 500 mounted men and two 
brass cannon, started in pursuit, the 
Federals having taken a lead of about 
80 miles. On Thursday night he over- 
took them, fought and repulsed them 
on Sand Mountain; in this fight Gen. 
Forrest had his horse killed under him. 
l^rom that time onward, until Sunday, 
the 3rd of May, the time of the final 
surrender of the Federals, he fought 
and drove them back, or rather, for- 
ward, about three times every 24 
hours. 

As they passed through Gadsden 
they destroyed part of the town and 
the depot, always destroying every 




GEN. NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST, whose 
locks were cut by admiring women when he 
saved Rome from Streight's raiders in '63. 



164 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



bridge behind them and otherwise ob- 
structing the road as best they could. 
Forrest fought them near Major 
Blount's plantation Friday evening or 
Saturday morning. Here their com- 
mander-in-chief, Hathaway, was kill- 
ed. The command then devolved on 
Col. Streight, of the 51st Indiana. As 
they passed onward they destroyed the 
Round Mountain Iron Works. Cross- 
ing Chattooga River, they destroyed 
the bridge. Some time during Sat- 
urday night, Gen. Forrest succeeded 
in crossing the river, and fell on them 
Sunday afternoon at Mrs. Lawrence's, 
about five miles east of Gaylesville, 
and here after a short fight, terms of 
capitulation for the entire Federal 
forces was agreed upon, and the Fed- 
erals stacked their arms. 

During Saturday evening a detach- 
ment of 200 had been sent ahead to 
reconnoiter and attack Rome, as cir- 
cumstances might indicate. 

The first intimation the people of 
Rome had of the raid was the arrival 
of Mr. John H. Wisdom, from Gads- 
den, giving information of the rapid 
approach of the Federals. Tremendous 
excitement, and be it said to the dis- 
credit of some, much liquor was wast- 
ed, doubtless to screw up their cour- 
age to the fighting point. By 8 p. m. 
two cannon, with barricades of cotton 
bags, were mounted and placed in po- 
sition on the river bank. The citi- 
zens from the country flocked in with 
their rifles and squirrel guns, and 
there soon were enough to make a 
pretty formidable fight, if they had 
lieen under any sort of organization. 
But the organization amounted to as 
near none as possible. About half past 
8 some pickets and videttes went out 
and a short distance from the city en- 
countered the enemy's advance pick- 
ets. Here some skirmishing for sev- 
eral hours took place between the 
enemy and these pickets and some 
citizens who had advanced on the 
enemy. About 2 p. m. the enemy very 
suddenly and apparently in a great 
hurry mounted and retreated down the 
road, followed by our skirmishers. 
They met Gen. Forrest and his party 
about 8 or 9 miles below Rome, Col. 
Streight and all the Federal officers 
being their prisoners. It is said the 
reason of the sudden departure of the 
Federals from Shorter's was a cour- 
ier from Col. Streight, their com- 
mander, informing them that they 
were prisoners of war, and had been 
for eight hours. 

About 6 p. m. Gen. Forrest, with 
120 Federal officers and this detach- 



ment reached the city, under such 
booming of cannon and rejoicing as 
has never been seen in Rome, and may 
never again. Indeed, it was right and 
just to him and his brave men. But 
for the noble and gallant Forrest and 
his equally noble and gallant men, who 
had pursued and fought this band of 
outlaws, robbers and murderers for 
five consecutive days and nights, al- 
most without eating or sleeping, our 
beautiful little Mountain City would at 
this hour be in ashes, and many of 
our best citizens robbed and murder- 
ed. A thousand blessings upon them, 
and a thousand prayers for them! 

In their vanity and folly some of 
our vain and swaggering people are 
trying to claim credit to themselves for 
this glorious success of the truly in- 
domitable and noble Forrest. If we 
did anything, it was clumsily done. 
Forrest has justly won for himself 
by this almost superhuman effort a 
title to a major generalship, and if he 
is not promoted, he will not have jus- 
tice done him, especially when it is 
remembered that with a picked force 
of Federals, four to his one, he dash- 
ed on them by day and by night, and 
in chasing them a little over 200 miles, 
he killed or captured the last one of 
them, with all their cannon, arms, 
horses, stores, etc., killing outright 
their leader and 300 men, with a loss 
of only 10 killed and 40 wounded. And 
he thereby saved millions of dollars 
worth of property from destruction by 
the hands of the cowardly scoundrels 
and vandals. 

We of North Alabama and North- 
western Georgia will cheer him and 
reiterate our cheers for him, and never 
cease until he shall receive a major 
general's commission. We have but 
one complaint to make. We thought 
he was a little too lenient to the im- 
pudent, boasting, threatening, coward- 
ly Federal officers. 

A CITIZEN OF ROME. 

To Arms! To Arms! — The citizens 
of Floyd and surrounding counties are 
requested to meet in Rome on Thurs- 
day next at 11 o'clock a. m.. May 14, 
to form a military organization for 
repelling the thieving, house-burning 
and vandal foe that may venture on 
our soil. Let everybody come and go 
to work in earnest. 

Defend Your Homes and Your Prop- 
erty. — It will be seen from a notice in 
this issue of our paper that the citi- 
zens of Floyd and the surrounding 
counties are called on to meet at the 
court house in this city on Thursday 



Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 



165 




A MAP OF ROME IN 1890. (Scale, one mile to the inch). 



night, the 14th inst., for the purpose 
of forming a military organization for 
the protection of their homes and 
their property. This is a highly im- 
portant movement and we give it our 
most cordial and hearty endorsement. 
Let every boy and man from 15 to 60 
years old fall into line and stand up 
for the protection of their mothers. 



wives and sisters. If the love of coun- 
try does not move you, these sacred 
claims will surely spur you to action. 
It is plain now that the enemy, be- 
ing foiled and routed upon every field 
of general engagement, has determined 
to turn loose his army in maraud- 
ing bands, to dash through our coun- 
try with torch and sword, to burn and 



166 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



plunder our citizens and homes, mur- 
der our men and dishonor our women. 

We are advised that good arms will 
be furnished to all who are not able 
to supply themselves. 

Let all the people in this and the 
surrounding counties meet in this city 
on next Thursday; and the ladies vidll 
do well to encourage this movement by 
their presence — they are all wanted. 
Come, ladies, and bring your sons and 
your husbands. — May 9, 1863. 

The Yankee Priso7}ers at Rome. — 
Among this batch of thieves and mur- 
derers was found two companies of 
North Alabama Tories; and amongst 
them a man by the name of Funder- 
burk, who was born and raised with- 
in three miles of Rome. This villain- 
ous whelp had a gallant brother in 
the Eighth Georgia who fell covered 
with honor and glory at the First Bat- 
tle of Manassas, July 21st, 1861. This 
scoundrel, with his widowed mother, 
moved to the Sand Mountain in 1852, 
and since the death of his brother has 
been here trying to get a share of 
his honored brother's estate. He ad- 
mits he piloted the Yankees to this 
place. He is safely under lock in jail. 
There was also found among them a 
man by the name of Phillips, who was 
raised in Forsyth County, Georgia. 
He is alleged to be a Confederate de- 
serter. He is with Funderburk, to- 
gether with a Methodist preacher, who 
says his name is Brown, who the 
Yankees say also piloted them, and 
many years ago was a circuit rider 
in Floyd. But no such a man ever 
rode the circuit in this county. 

The prisoners generally were re- 
markably impudent and insulting, es- 
pecially the officers. One of their of- 
ficers, a major, publicly cursed Gen. 
Forrest on the streets for a scoundrel 
and a rascal, stating that when For- 
rest demanded a surrender the Yankee 
negotiators were trying to get the best 
terms possible, and Forrest suddenly 
appeared to get very mad. Swore he 
would wait no longer, that he would 
rather kill the whole of them than 
not; ordered his couriers immediately 
to direct the commanders of four sep- 
arate batteries to place them on sep- 
arate points of hills; and ordered the 
commanders of four separate regi- 
ments to be formed immediately at 
particular points in line of battle, and 
that the couriers absolutely dashed 
off, as though they were going to 
have these orders executed. And as 
they dashed off, Forrest told them his 
signal gun would be fired in ten min- 



utes, when in fact (he said) the ras- 
cal had but two little cannon, and not 
more than a half regiment all told. 
Finally, that Forrest was nothing but 
a damned swindler. 

The impudent whelps, openly on the 
streets, avowed their intention to be 
back here in less than three months, 
burn up the town and hang every 
man in it because, they say, they were 
bushwhacked. This, of course, is an 
idle boast of the poor cowardly devils, 
to cover up their shame and disgrace. 
They said they did not come into Rome 
just as they expected; that they could 
stand all that; but such a number of 
them to be gobbled up by a little squad 
of "dirty, snotty-nosed butternuts" 
was past endurance. 

We regret to learn that Capt. For- 
rest, a brother of the General's, com- 
manding a company in his old regi- 
ment, was severely and it is feared 
mortally wounded in the recent run- 
ning fight with the Yankees from 
Courtland to Rome. 

Gen. Forrest has received a dispatch 
from Col. Roddy, announcing that the 
Yankees have evacuated Tuscumbia. 

The Steamer Laura Moore blew her 
whistle off yesterday morning as she 
was about signalling her departure. 
Her steam escaping prevented her de- 
parture. — Saturday, May 9, 1863. 



"BILL ARP" ON ROME "BATTLE" 

(Southern Confederacy, Atlanta). 

Rome, Gorgy. 
Mr. Adeer & Smith: 

So many onreliable persuns will be 
sirkulatin spewrius akkounts of the 
"Grand Rounds" tuk by the infernal 
Yankees in these Roman-tik rejuns, 
that I think it highly proper you 
should git the streight of it from one 
who seed it with his eyes, and hearn 
it with his years, and a piece of it 
fell on his big toe. 

More than 200 years ago Genrul D. 
Soto had a big fight with the Injuns 
on or about these consekrated grounds. 
Since that time an oninterrupted peece 
hav rained around these classic hills 
and hollers. Flowers hav bloomed 
sweetly, lambs hav skipd about, dog 
fennel hav yallered the ground, and 
the Coosa river, which were then a 
little spring branch, hav grown _ both 
wide and deep, until now the majestik 
steamboat can float upon its bosom, 
and the big mud cat gobble up the 
yearthworms what chance to fall into 
its watters. 

But rollen years will change a pro- 
gram. Anno domini will tell ! Jest 



Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 



167 



afore the broke of day, on Sunday, 
the third of May, 1863, eighteen hun- 
dred and 63, the cityzens of the eternal 
city were arowsed from their slumbers 
with the chorus of the Marsales hymn, 
"To arms, to arms, ye brave! Abe 
Linkhorn are pegging away, and the 
Yankees are ridin to Rome on a raid!" 
Ah! then were the time to try men's 
soles ! But there were no panik, no 
skedadlin, to shakin of nees — but one 
universal determynation to do s?o»» 
thin. The burial squad organized fust 
and foremost and begun to inter ther 
money, and spoons and 4 pronged 
forks, and sich like about the prem- 
ises. Babies were sent to the rear. 
Hosses hid in the cane brake. Cows 
milked oncominon dry. Cashiers and 
bank agents carried off their phunds 
in a pair of saddle bags, which very 
much exposed ther facilities and the 
small compass of ther resources. It 
were, however, a satisfactory solushun 
of ther refusin to discount for the last 
3 months. Skouts were sent out on 
every road to snuff the tainted breeze. 
Kotton bags were piled up across ev- 
ery high way and low way. Shot 
guns and cannon and powder and ball 
were brought to the front. The yeo- 
manry and the melishy jined a squad 
of Confederate troops and formed in 
line of battle. They were marched 
across the Oustanawly River, and then 
the plank of the bridge torn up so 
that they couldn't retreat. This were 
done, however, at ther own valyunt 
request, because of the natural weak- 
ness of the flesh. They determined 
jintly and sevrally, firmly by these 
presents, to do sumthin. 

Two cracked cannon, what had holes 
in the ends, and two or three on the 
side, were propped up between the 
kotten bags, and pinted dead straight 
down the road to Alabam. They were 
fust loaded with buckshot and tacks, 
and then a round ball rammed on top. 
The ball were to take the raid in front, 
and the bullets and tacks to rake 'em 
in the pklanks. These latter it was 
supposed would go through the cracks 
in the sides and shoot around gener- 
ally. Everybody and everything de- 
termined to die in their tracks, or do 
sximthin. 

The steamboats dropped quietly 
down the river to get out of the thick 
of the fight. The sharp shooters got 
on top of semmetery hill with ther re- 
peaters and pokit pistols. The videttes 
dashed with spy glasses to the top of 
the court house to see a fur off. 
Dashin Comanchy couriers rode on- 
ruly steeds to and fro, like a fiddler's 



elbow. Sum went forward to rekenoy- 
ter as skouts. Everybody resolved to 
do sumthin. 

At this critical junkture, and pre- 
vious and afterwards, reports were 
brought into these Head Quarters, and 
all other quarters, to the effeck that 
10,000 Yankees were kummin, and 5,- 
000 and 2,000, and any other number; 
that they were ten miles from town, 
and 6 miles, and 2 miles, and any 
other number of miles; that they were 
on the Alabam road, and the Cave 
Spring road, and the River road, and 
any other road; that they were cross- 
in the river at Quin's Ferry, and Wil- 
liamson's Ferry, and Bell's Ferry, and 
any other ferry; that they had tuck 
the Steembote Laura Moore, and Chi- 
rokee and Alfaratta, and any other 
steembote; that they had shot at a 
Comanchy rider, and hit him in the 
coat tail, or his hosses tail, or any 
other tale; that they had seezed Sis 
Morris, or Bill Morris, or Jep Mor- 
ris, or any other Morris. In fak, a 
man could hear anything by gwine 
about, and more too. 

Shore enuf, however, the important 
crisis which were to have arriven did 
actually arriv, about 10 o'klock in the 
mornin, a. m., on May 3rd, 1863. I 
am thus portikler, Mr. Editurs, bekaus 




JUDGE JNO. W. MADDOX, who entered the 
Confederate Army at 15, and served several 
terms in Congress from the Seventh District. 



168 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



it are to be entered on next year's 
almynak as a remarkabul event. The 
head of the raid did aktully arriv at 
the suburbin villa of Mr. Myers, and 
thar it stoped to rekonnoiter. Thar 
they learned as how we had 600 head 
of artillery, and 6,000 kotton bags, and 
a permiskous number infantry taktix, 
and we were only waitin to see the 
whites of their eyes. Also that the his- 
tory of Gen. Jackson at New Orleans 
wer red in publik, and that everything 
were inspired to do sumthin; where- 
upon the head of the raid turned pale, 
and sent forward a picket. At this 
onspishus moment a foot skout on our 
side let fly a whistlen bullit, which 
tuk effek somewhat in those rejuns. 
It were reasonably suposed that one 
Yankee were killed, and perhaps two, 
for even to this time sumthing dead 
can be smelt in those parts, tho' the 
buryal squad had not been able to find 
it up to yestiddy. After right smart 
skirmishin, the head of the raid feu 
back down the road to the Alabam, 
and were persued by our mounted 
yeomanry at a respectabul distance. 

Now Mr. Adeer & Smith, while all 
these vaylunt feets were going on 
hereabouts. Gen. Forrest had been 
fighting the body and tail of the raid 
away down at the Alabam line. Final- 
ly he proposed to the raid to stop 
fightin and play a game or two of 
poker, under a cedar tree, which they 
aksepted. But the Ginerul were not in 
luck and he had a pore hand, and had 
stalked his last dollar. The Yankees 
had a Streight, which would hav tuk 
Forrest and raked down the pile, but 
he looked on rite in the eye and sed 
he would see 'm, and "4,000 better." 
The raid looked at him, and he looked 
at the raid, and never blinked. The 
raid trembled all over it boots, and gin 
it up. The Generul bluffed 'em, and 
ever since that game was played, the 
little town hard by has bin called 
Cedar Bluff. It were flush times in 
the Alabam, that day, shore! 

Well, Mr Editurs, you know the 
sequil. The Generul bagged 'em and 
broght 'em on. The planks were put 
back on the bridge. The river bank 
infantry countermarched and fired a 
permiscous volley in token of jew- 
bilee. One of the side-swipin cannon 
went off on its own hook, and the ball 
went ded thx-ough a house and tore a 
buro all to flinders. Sum sed it were 
a Niter Buro, but a potash man who 
examined sed he reckin not, for ther 
weren't no ashes in the drawers, nor 
naro ash hopper on the premises. 

By and by the Comanchy Skouts and 



pickets all kum in, and shuk ther am- 
brosial locks and received the congrat- 
ulations of ther friends. Then begun 
the ovashun of fair women and brave 
men to Gen. Forrest and his gallant 
boys Bokays and tears were all mixed 
up promiskous. Big chunks of cake and 
gratitude were distributed generally 
and frequent. Strawberries and cream, 
eggs and inyuns, pies and pancakes — 
all flew aroun amazin, for everybody 
was determined to do sHmthi}i. Gen. 
Forrest subsided, and General Jew- 
bilee tuk command, and Rome her- 
self again. The 4 pronged forks and 
silver spoons ros from the dead and 
even the old hen what one of our city 
aldemen had hurried with her head 
out, was disinterred and sacrificed im- 
mediately for the good of the koun- 
try. 

Thus hav ended the raid, and no 
loss on our side. Howsumever, I sup- 
pose that Mr. Linkhorn will keep "peg- 
gin' away." 

Yours truly and immensely, 

THE ORTHOR, 
Adjective Generul of Yeomanry. 



The Yankee cavalry roamed a little 
too far from home when they ventured 
a journey to Rome. The citizens there- 
of were Romans enough to meet them 
in battle array, and Forrest, at Rome, 
was the "noblest Roman of them all." 
—Rebel. 

Proclamation. — To the Citizens of 
Rome : A little more than a week ago 
our city was beleaguered by the most 
lawless band of incendiaries that ever 
disgraced humanity. This enemy came 
with "lust in his eye, poverty in his 
purse and hell in his heart. He came 
a robber and a murderer." But at our 
very threshold he was arrested by the 
Lord God of Hosts. Thus we were de- 
livered, and thus our city was saved 
from destruction. Under such circum- 
stances it is right, proper and our 
bounden duty as a people to bow down 
in adoring thankfulness to that kind 
F'ather whose everlasting arms have 
been around, about and underneath 
us, to protect us from harm, and it is 
our duty and privilege to ascribe to 
him all the honor of our deliverance. 

Now, therefore, I, John M. Gregory, 
mayor of the City of Rome, do issue 
this, my proclamation, setting apart 
Wednesday, the 13th inst., as a day of 
thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty 
God for the great mercies vouchsafed 
to us, and I do therefore earnestly in- 
vite the people of the city to assemble 
at their respective places of worship 



Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 



169 



on that day, and to unite in render- 
ing thanks and praise to God. Given 
under my hand and seal of office, this 
May 11, 1863. J. M. Gregory, Mayor 
of the City of Rome. — Tuesday, May 
12, 1863. 

Gen. Forrest and the Citizens of 
Rome — As a slight appreciation of the 
services of the gallant Forrest in sav- 
ing our beautiful city from sack and 
flames, at the hands of the ruthless 
vandals, who lately came to lay our 
homes in desolation, a suggestion was 
made that it would be expressive of 
our gratitude to present the General 
with a fine horse, and in the course 
of an hour or two over $1,000 was con- 
tributed for this purpose. But. Col. 
A. M. Sloan, anticipating the move- 
ment, on his own private account pre- 
sented Gen. Forrest with his splendid 
saddle horse, for which he would not 
on any other account have taken the 
best negro fellow in the State. This 
was an appropriate and magnificent 
offering on the part of Col. Sloan.* 

We are advised that the money 
which had been contributed by the 
citizens for this purpose was turn- 
ed over to Gen. Forrest to be used for 
the benefit of the sick and wounded of 
his command. 

The Alabama Traitors. — We have 
had the pleasure of reading a letter 
from Gov. Shorter, of Alabama, to 
Surgeon P. C. Winn, in regard to the 
Alabama traitors captured by Gen. 
P'orrest in North Alabama, in which 
the Governor says he has demanded 
"under the order of President Davis> 
all the officers taken in Alabama, 
found serving with armed slaves," etc. 

We greatly admire the spirit of Gov. 
Shorter in this matter and hope to see 
his example emulated in every state. 

Perhaps no event of the war has 
caused more profound regret through- 
out the Confederacy or more real sat- 
isfaction to the Yankees than the 
death of glorious old Stonewall Jack- 
son. After having made such hair- 
breadth escapes from Yankee bullets 
he has died at last at the hands of his 
own men. His memory is embalmed 
in the hearts of the people, and his 
name vdll live through all times. 

Some of our contemporaries are de- 
termined that the royal ape of Wash- 
ington shall have his proper cognomen 
of "Hanks," and "Hanks" let it be, 
and thereby free the respectable name 
of Lincoln from the odium attached to 



it from his bearing it. It is said that 
old Hanks has started the old pegging 
system of tactics. If so, we suppose 
the recent raid to Rome was one of 
the pegs driven in and broken off. — 
Thursday, May 14, 1863. 

The Meeting on Thursday — A large 
number of the citizens of Floyd and 
the surrounding counties met in this 
city on Thursday last to consult to- 
gether on the best means of defending 
our city and the approaches to the 
State road, against raiding parties of 
the public enemy. Major John Rush 
was chosen president and Mr. John M. 
Berry fccretary. Col. Fouche explain- 
ed the object of the meeting, and 
moved the appointment of a commit- 
tee of five, who were himself, Col. 
D. R. Mitchell, Maj. J. G. Yeiser, Rev. 
J. W. Glenn and Col. Alfred Shorter. 
During the absence of the committee, 
Hon. John W. H. Underwood was in- 
vited to address the meeting, but de- 
clining to do so, called on Dr. P. C. 
Winn, of Alabama, who entertained 
the audience with a spirited plea for 
home defense. The committee report- 
ed stirring resolutions, which were 
unanimously adopted. 

We would appeal to every boy and 
man who has the pluck to defend his 
home, to join some military company. 
We know of but three excuses which 
any man could offer for not joining: 
utter physical inability, innate, incur- 
able cowardice and old age. But the 
man should be so old that he would not 
think of marrying again if his wife 
should die. If any man will come out 
and establish his right to plead any of 
those three excuses, let him be perpet- 
ually exempt from all military serv- 
ice; but let all others shoulder arms 
and fall into ranks for the defense of 
their native soil.— Saturday, May 16, 
1863. 



*A. M. Sloan, banker and warehouseman, 
formerly of Columbus. 



To Arms, Ye Romans! — We find the 
following astounding telegram to the 
Associated Press, which, if true, it is 
time Romans were looking to their lau- 
rels : 

Atlanta, May 16. — Quartermaster 
Polk's Corps arrived and passed 
through this morning. We have re- 
ports that 7,000 or 8,000 of the enemy 
are approaching Rome. All the avail- 
able force here is ordered to be held 
in readiness. 

There is a grape-vine telegram 
afloat that Jackson, Miss., has been 
taken by the enemy, and that our 
forces have them surrounded and cut 
off.— Tuesday, May 19, 1863. 



170 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



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NINETEEN DWELLINGS OF MANY TYPES. 

1 — Wilson M. Hardy; 2 — old A. R. Sullivan home; 3 — old Goetchius home; 4 — Dr. J. C. 
Watts (C. N. Featherston) ; 5 — part of old Battey infirmary; 6 — J. W. Rounsaville; 7 — 
Eliza Frances Andrews; 8 — A. B. S. Moseley; 9 — T. J. Simpson (J. L. Sulzbacher)S 10 — ' 
Ed. L. Bosworth; 11 — O. L. Stamps (C. Rowell) ; 12 — S. F. Magruder; 13 — old Harper home; 
14 — Hughes T. Reynolds (R. D. VanDyke) ; 15 — Hood-Cumming-Featherston (Rixie) ; 16 — Dr. 
T. R. Garlington (J. D. Hanks); 17 — Unknown; 18 — VanDyke-Maddox; 19 — Henry Stoffregen. 



Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 



171 



To All People WJw Are Able to Bear 
A.rms! — The question can no longer be 
blinked. You must either fight, run 
or take the oath of allegiance to Lin- 
coln. This call is made to the fight- 
ing men, young and old. If there be 
any of the other classes, we don't want 
them; the sooner they take care of 
themselves, the better. Daily develop- 
ments convince all thinking men of the 
immediate necessity of a strong mili- 
tary organization for self-defense. The 
people are invited, perhaps for the last 
time, to meet at the court house in 
Rome on Tuesday morning next, May 
26 at 10 o'clock a. m., to learn what 
has been done, and to determine, un- 
der a proper organization, what they 
will do in defense of their property, 
their wives and their children. We 
beseech you to come and to come ready 
to make all needed sacrifices for your 
country! — J. M. Gregory, mayor; S. 
Fouche, D. R. Mitchell, "j. G. Yeiser, 
A. Shorter, J. W. Glenn, Committee. — 
Tuesday, May 26, 1863. 



Rev. George Pierce, son of the 
bishop of that name who served 
the Rome district after the war, 
had intended to preach at one of 
the Methodist churches on the 
Sunday Forrest appeared, but he 
qtiickly caught the war fever and 
shouldered a gtni.* 

According to WiHiani Hardin 
and Jas. O. Winfrey, the well- 
known Confederate veterans, Col. 
Streight cried over his plight, and 
it was said on good authority at 
the time that he tried to get a pis- 
tol to shoot himself. He was de- 
scribed by all who knew him as 
an intrepid soldier. 

Reminiscences by the late Dr. 
P. Iv. Turnley, presented to the U. 
D. C, add this information : 

Col. Hathaway, original commander 
of the raiders, was shot through the 
neck and killed at the foot of Owl 
Mountain, near Turkeytown, Etowah 
County, Ala., while eating breakfast. 
Two young sharpshooters, brothers 
named Hall, had climbed to the top of 

♦Authority : 20th Century Rome, Tribune In- 
dustrial Edition, Oct., 1902. 

**According to Mrs. Robt. Battey, several 
young women snipped off long raven locks. 

***Authority : Edward C. Peters, of Rome. 
Since the total casualties are 1,547 by this esti- 
mate, there is a discrepancy of 4.53 men, the 
number at the start having been 2,000. 



the spur above the invaders and crack- 
ed down on the officer. Streight was 
then placed in command. 

The news that Streight was ap- 
proaching spread like prairie fire, and 
more activity was shown in Rome than 
for a long time. By noon the town 
was fairly well garrisoned by men and 
boys of all ages. The bridges were 
blocked with cotton bales, and the 
floors covered with straw saturated 
with oil. Every cellar and garret had 
been ransacked for arms and weapons 
of any kind. Col. J. G. ^Yeiser obtain- 
ed two old honey-combed cannon, and 
placed the dangerous ends toward the 
enemy. These, with old rusty flint- 
lock rifles and a few pistols, were all 
the defenders had, but they were suf- 
ficient to turn back Streight's advance 
guard. 

Rome was so hilarious that Gen. 
Forrest could hardly attend to his du- 
ties; and it has been said by one who 
was present that the brave general 
would have been bald had he given 
locks of his hair to all the ladies who 
made the request.** 

Forrest's losses were said to 
have been ten killed and 40 wound- 
ed. Streight's losses from Apr. 
27 through May 3, 1863, from Tus- 
cumbia to Rome (including Day's 
Gap, Apr. 30, Black Warrior Creek, 
May l,and Blount's Farm, May 2) 
were twelve killed, 69 wounded, 
1.466 captured. The captives were 
the 51st and 73rd Indiana Volun- 
teers, the 3rd Ohio, the 80th Illi- 
nois Mounted Infantry and two 
companies of the First Alabama 
Cavalry who were mostly desert- 
ers from the Confederate ar- 

Streight's men were worn out 
from their forced marches and 
loss of sleep, and when Forrest 
came up, many were sleeping on 
their arms, and their commander 
could make them fight no longer. 

In order to get the facts of Wis- 
dom's ride, Capt. W. P. Lay, of 
Gadsden, visited Mr. Wisdom at 
Hoke's Bluff, Ala. Capt. Lay re- 
lated the story to Walter Harper, 
who presented it July 29, 1909, in 
the Gadsden Daily Times-News, 
a day after Mr. Wisdom died: 



172 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



John H. Wisdom, long a citizen of 
Etowah County, Alabama, and for- 
merly of Rome, Ga., died at his home 
at Hoke's Bluff, ten miles east of 
Gadsden, on July 28, 1909. He was 
89 years of age and one of the sub- 
stantial citizens of the county. He 
was extremely modest and for that 
reason but little has ever been said 
or known about the crowning exploit 
of his life, which saved a city, result- 
ed in the capture of a host of Federal 
soldiers and placed him in the class of 
heroes of the Civil War. 

John H. Wisdom and Emma Sanson 
were jointly responsible for the saving 
of Rome, Ga., and the capture of Col. 
Abel D. Streight's raiders by Gen. 
Nathan B. Forrest, yet neither of these 
heroes was aware of the part the other 
was playing at the time. 

Shortly after Emma Sanson had di- 
rected Gen. Forrest over Black War- 
rior Creek, Mr. Wisdom, then a mail 
carrier and 43 years old, left his home 
at Gadsden on a mail trip, and after 
crossing the Coosa river went several 
miles beyond. In the afternoon of the 
same day he returned to Gadsden, to 
find that the Federals under Col. 
Straight had been in the town and 
were proceeding toward Rome. The 
enemy had cut a hole in the bottom 
of the ferry boat of which he was the 
proprietor and had set it loose to 
drift down the Coosa. Consequently, 
Mr. Wisdom did not recross the river, 
but called to a neighbor to tell his 
family that he had gone to warn Rome 
of its danger. Still in his trusty buggy, 
he dashed toward Rome. This was at 
3:30 p. m. By changing steeds he 
made the 67 miles a few minutes be- 
fore midnight, or a little less than 
eight hours and a half. Deducting an 
hour and a half for changes of horses 
and other delays, he negotiated the 
hilly, river-crossing journey in about 
seven hours, or at the rate of 9.6 
miles per hour.* 

In the early Revolutionary days 
Paul Revere rode from Boston to Con- 
cord, Mass., a distance of 18 miles, to 
warn the citizens of the approach of 
the British soldiers.** His act has been 
the subject of song and story for more 
than 100 years, while the much more 
difficult and daring feat of John H. 
Wisdom is known to but a comparative 
few in Alabama and Georgia. 

Following is the story in Mr. Wis- 
dom's own words, beginning when he 
returned to the Coosa River at Gads- 
den on the afternoon of Saturday, May 
2, 1863:*** 



"It occurred to me at once that I 
could beat them to Rome and sound 
the alarm. I called across the river 
that I was going, and whipped my 
horse toward Rome. This was about 
3:30 p. m. I dashed by Hoke's Bluff, 
Gnatville, Goshen and Spring Garden, 
and at the last-named place turned 
into the Rome and Jacksonville stage 
road, which I had traveled often as 
driver of a stage from Rome to the 
Alabama town. 

"The first iap' of the ride was from 
the east bank of the river at Gadsden 
to Gnatville, 22 miles, which I drove 
in my buggy in a little more than two 
hours. Here my horse became ex- 
hausted and I left him and the buggy 
with the Widow Hanks,**** who offered 
me a lame pony on my promise to ride 
it only five miles, to Goshen, where I 
thought I could get another horse. On 
account of the pony's condition, I was 
obliged to leave him at Goshen, where 
I found Simpson Johnson coming in 
from his farm. He saddled two horses 
and let me ride one, and sent his son 
with me on the other horse to bring 
both back. I was delayed at Goshen 
only a short while, but it was not dark 
and I realized I must lose more time 
changing steeds. 

"We rode the Johnson horses in a 
swift gallop eleven miles to the home 
of Rev. Joel Weems, above Spring 
Garden, Ala., where I was delayed 
some time, but finally managed to get 
a fresh horse. 

"On the next 'lap' I stopped several 
times, trying to get a new animal. At 
one place I woke up a farmer and told 
him what I wanted. He replied gruffly 
that I couldn't get any of his horses, 
so I rode eleven miles farther to John 
Baker's, one mile south of Cave Spring, 
and after a short delay mounted an- 
other horse and asked him to keep for 
the owner the one I had discarded. I 
was now in Georgia, and Cave Spring 
loomed ahead, then I raced through 
Vann's Valley. While going down a 
long hill in a sweeping gallop, Mr. 
Baker's horse stumbled and fell, throw- 
ing me in an ungraceful sprawl ahead 
of him. I got up quickly, remounted 
and made off. After proceeding 
twelve miles, to within six miles of 

*The Courier account stated that Wisdom 
arrived at 2 :30 a. m., after a ride of eleven 
hours. 

**Revere was bound for Concord, hut was 
held up about half way, at Lexington, by 
British soldiers. 

***Mr. Wisdom lived prior to the war in a 
cottage with his mother at Second Avenue and 
East Third Street, where B. T. Haynes* home 
now stands. 

****Her first name was Nancy, it is said. 



Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 



173 



Rome, I changed horses for the last 
time. A gentleman whose name I do 
not remember loaned me a horse and I 
lost little time entering on the last 
'lap.' This horse carried me safely 
into Rome, where I arrived at four 
minutes before midnight, May 2, 1863. 
I thus made the ride of about 67 miles 
in slightly less than eight and a half 
hours, including delays. Lost time 
amounted to about an hour and a 
half. 

"On arriving in the city I galloped 
to the leading hotel, the Etowah 
House, then kept by Mr. G. S. Black, 
and told him the Yankees were com- 
ing. At his request, I rode through 
the streets, sounding the alarm and 
waking the people. Everybody jump- 
ed out of bed, and the excitement was 
great. The people ran in all direc- 
tions, but under the command of their 
leader got down to the business of pil- 
ing cotton bales in breastwork style on 
the Rome ends of the bridges. 

"There were few men in Rome at 
the time, most of them having gone 
away to war, but those who were left 
soon hauled out all the old squirrel 
rifles, shot guns and muzzle-loading 
muskets that could be found, and di- 
vided them among those able to bear 
arms. 

"The little railroad from Rome to 
Kingston fired up the engines and ran 
them every 30 minutes in and out of 
the city, carrying the news into the 
country districts and bringing to town 
the farmers with their old battle 
pieces. 

"The handful of convalescent Con- 
federate soldiers in Rome took charge 
of the home guard and lined them up 
behind the breastworks of cotton. The 
Bridge Street (Fifth Avenue) bridge 
across the Oostanaula River, a wooden 
structure, was filled with hay which 
was saturated with turpentine so it 
could be fired in case of defeat and 
a retreat. 

"About sunrise next morning, May 
3, (Sunday) six hours after my ar- 
rival, Streight's advance guard ap- 
peared on Shorter's Hill, one mile west 
of Rome. Through their field glasses 
they saw the 'fortifications' and the 
bustling activity in the town. An old 
negro woman, asked if there were any 
Confederates around, replied, 'Yassir, 
boss, de town am full of sojers!' 

"So impressive was the scene that 
the advance guard retreated without 
any attempt to take the bridge. A few 
shots were fired between the sharp- 
shooters. 



"About 3 or 4 o'clock that after- 
noon Forrest marched into Rome with 
Streight's command as prisoners. 
When the Yankees found out there 
had been no real soldiers in Rome, and 
that they had been captured by For- 
rest's inferior force, they became very 
angry, and it was feared that they 
would revolt, but Gen. Forrest's fore- 
sight in separating officers and men, 
imprisoning the officers in the court 
house and putting the privates under 
guard at the forks of the rivers, 
averted trouble. 

"It has been erroneously stated that 
I was sent to Rome by Gen. Forrest. 
I knew nothing of Gen. Forrest's pur- 
suit of the raiders until he marched 
into Rome with them. 

"The people of Rome made me a 
present of a silver service valued at 
$400, which I now have and prize very 
highly. They also gave me $400 in 
money and sent the Widow Hanks 
$400 for giving me the use of her lame 
pony." 

According to the official reports of 
Col. Abel D. Streight, made after his 
escape from Libby prison to Union 
headquarters, Aug. 22, 1864, John H. 
Wisdom was directly responsible for 
his surrender to Gen. Forrest. The 
following from Col. Streight's report 
is significant: 

"After some maneuvering, Forrest 
sent in a flag of truce, demanding sur- 
render, so I called a council of war. I 
had previously learned in the mean- 
time, however, that Capt. Milton Rus- 
sell had beert unable to take the bridge 
at Rome. Our condition was can- 
vassed, and although personally op- 
posed to surrender, and so expressmg 
myself at the time, yet I yielded to the 
unanimous voice of my regimental 
commanders, and at about noon of 
May 3 we surrendered as prisoners of 



war 



. " 



Col. Streight continued with the 
statement that he had dispatched Capt. 
Russell with 200 picked men to take 
the Rome bridge, and this officer had 
reported that it was held by a formi- 
dable force of Confederates, and in 
his opinion could not be captured by 
the forces available. 

In one part of an original ac- 
count in his own hand-writing-. Col. 
Wisdom stated that in addition to 
five horses, he used one mule. He 
recited that Miss Emma Sanson, 
daughter of the Widow vSanson, 
who lived near Black Warrior 



174 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Creek bridge, two miles west of 
Gadsden, got up behind Gen. For- 
rest on his horse and directed him 
to ford the creek after Streight 
had burned the bridge. Streight's 
rear guard sent a fusillade of bul- 
lets toward the double-mounted 
horse, and Forrest and Miss San- 
son were forced to dismount and 
hide behind a bank. The general 
finally rode back to the farm house 
with the brave girl, then crossed 
the ford with his men. 

During the delay, Streight's 
men had entered Gadsden and be- 
gun burning and plundering. They 
discovered Col. Wisdom's smoke 
house, in which had been stored 
a quantity of bacon by a crowd of 
refugees from Tennessee. While 
Streight's men tried to find the 
key to the smoke house and made 
preparations to batter down the 
door, Forrest's men arrived, 
chased them and devoured the ba- 
con. 



According to Col. Wisdom, 
Streight surrendered at Law- 
rence's Spring, four miles east of 
Cedar Bluft", Cherokee County, 
Ala., and 24 miles west of Rome. 
He confirms the statement that 
spirituous liquor flowed pretty 
freely in Rome that Sunday: "I 
thought a lieutenant would ride 
his black mare to death. He kept 
riding up and down the Oosta- 
naula from Battey's Shoals to 
town and back, to keep the 
Yankees from crossing. They 
said he was 'tight.' " 

Gen. Forrest hurried down into 
Alabama to engage in a new chase, 
without waiting to attend the pic- 
nic Romans had planned for him. 
While awaiting orders in Rome for 
about four days, Forrest maintain- 
ed headquarters at the Choice 
House, where the Hotel Forrest 
now stands, and the hospitality of 
the Temple of Justice a block to 
the east was enjoyed by the of- 
ficers he had corralled. 



TWO FAMOUS RIDES COMPARED. 

John H. Wisdom's famous ride, mentioned in the foregoing, is here 
compared with Paul Revere's : 



PAUL REVERE'S RIDE. 

Date— Apr. 19, 1775. 

War — Revolutionary. 

Starting Point — Charlestown, Mass. 

Destination — Concord, Mass. 

Place Reached — Lexington, Mass. 

Distance — Nine miles. 

Time — Two hours, 15 minutes. 

Miles ner Hour — Four. 

How Traveled — Horseback. 

Object to Save — Lex. and Concord. 

Start of Ride — About 11:45 p. m. 

End of Ride— Two a. m. 

Horses Used — One. 

Road Condition — Fair. 

Riding by Dark — Two hours, 15 min. 

Riding by Light — None. 

Country — Undulating. 



JNO. H. WISDOM'S RIDE. 

Date— Mav 2, 1863. 
War— Civil. 

Starting Point — Gadsden, Ala. 
Destination — Rome, Ga. 
Place Reached — Rome, Ga. 
Distance — Sixty-seven miles. 
Time — Eleven hours (8I/2 riding). 
Miles per Hour — Eight. 
How Traveled — Buggy, horseback. 
Object to Save — Rome, Ga. 
Start of Ride — About 3:30 p. m. 
End of Ride — Two-thirty a. m. 
Horses Used — Five (one mule). 
Road Condition — Rough. 
Riding by Dark — Seven hours. 
Riding by Light — Four hours. 
Country — Hilly. 



CHAPTER V. 
Sherman's Army Captures Rome 



T 



HE climax to Rome's mili- 
tary successes and failures 
was Gen. Wm. Tecumseh 
Sherman, United States ar- 
my, of Ohio. In a chase after Gen. 
Jos. E. Johnston from Dalton and 
Resaca, the right wing of his ar- 
my (14th and 16th corps), under 
command of Gen. Jas. Birdseye 
McPherson,* also of Ohio, sent its 
scouts into Rome May 17, 1864, 
after an artillery duel for a day 
with Gen. Stuart's defenders.** 

Virgil A. Stewart, a sharpshoot- 
er who helped defend Rome, states 
that a spirited resistance was 
maintained for a day through the 
artillery but the superiority of 
the Federal force was so great 
that the Confederates were forced 
to retire, burning the Fifth Ave- 
nue and Broad Street bridges as 
they went. From him, Horry 
Wimpee, Wm. M. Hardin and 
others we get the following gen- 
eral description of activities : 

Gen. Sherman had sent Garrard's 
Cavalry*** doKvn the Oostanaula 
River from Resaca, and Gen. Jefferson 
C. Davis' division of McPherson's Ar- 
my of the Tennessee in support of it. 
The Federals were advised that only 
a small garrison defended Rome, so 
they chose to go against the point: of 
greatest resistance rather than lose 
the time involved in circumvention. 
They proceeded down the right or 
north bank of the river to Armuchee 
creek, where they found the Confed- 
erate skirmishers. Shots were ex- 
changed and one man was killed, prob- 
ably a Confederate. 

Cannon had been placed on Fort 

*Killed while reconnoitering near Atlanta 
some three months later by a Confederate 
sharpshooter named McPherson. 

♦♦Authority: Virgil A. Stewart. This Stuart 
was undoubtedly not Gen. J. E. B. Stuart. The 
Weekly Courier of Thursday, Aug. 31, 1865, 
says May 17 was the day of investment. The 
diary of Reuben S. Norton says May 18. It is 
likely that the main body of the troops entered 
on the latter date. 

***The famous Black Horr,e Troop. 

****A trench two or three feet deep can still 
be found on the southeastern slope of the water- 
works hill ; picture of it is shown herein. 



Jackson, the city pumping station site, 
on the top of a high hill in North 
Rome, then known as Fort Norton; on 
the ridge crossing the Summerville 
road one mile northwest of the court- 
house, at the rock quarry, then known 
as Fort Attaway, overlooking Little 
Dry creek; and on the crest of Myrtle 
Hill cemetery, then known as Fort 
Stovall. At the foot of Fort Norton 
a redoubt was built to impede the 
progress of the enemy in any attempt 
to scale the heights for a hand-to- 
hand encounter. In front of the pres- 
ent Second (or Fifth Avenue) Baptist 
church, on a slight ridge where John 
Ross used to live, was a trench to 
which the Confederate infantrymen 
fell back after their outposts had been 
driven in and Ft. Attaway silenced.**** 

The second fort to withdraw its fire 
was Fort Norton, and its garrison unit 
withdrew to points in the city and as- 
sisted the remaining unit on Fort Sto- 
vall (cemetery hill) to hold out. 

Gen. Davis had planted his artillery 
on the ridge above and southwest of 
Shorter's Spring, being the site of the 
new Shorter College, and particularly 
the location of the Selkirk home, now 
known as "Maplehurst," the residence 
of the president of the institution. 

The cannonading had started about 
daybreak. A column of Confederate 
cavalry had skirmished with the Fed- 
erals around Little Dry creek, but 
these retired before the hosts of Gar- 
rard. All but 42 of the non-combatant 
population had taken bag and baggage 
and selves away from Rome. The 
others preferred to remain and em- 
brace whatever fate awaited them, for 
it might be worse farther down, and 
home was home. One of those who 
remained was as staunch and militant 
a "Rebel" as ever lived — Mrs. Lizzie 
Roach Hughes, dressmaker and mil- 
liner and resident of the Fourth Ward. 
"Miss Lizzie," as she was called all 
over Rome, used to do a lot of sewing 
for the soldiers, and the day was never 
too wet or cold or the night too dark 
for her to go foraging for "sumpin' 
feat." Her activities caused many a 
gray-jacketed heart tO' throb grate- 
fully. However, there were always 
people of low enough conscience and 
purpose to tell the invaders what Ro- 
mans were the most unflagging in 
support of the Southern cause, and 



176 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



those who were informed upon were 
forced to suffer. The Union troops 
cultivated "Miss Lizzie," and nxade 
life unbearable for her. Their first 
meeting came when the soldiers en- 
tered West Rome. Gen. Davis and 
several officers "requested" "Miss Liz- 
zie" to go with them to the top of the 
hill to see if any more Confederates 
were on cemetery hill. The Confed- 
erates recognized "Miss Lizzie" 
through their field glasses, and waved 
a flag at her. 

"Thank you, 'Miss Lizzie,' " said Gen. 
Davis. 

In a minute there came a cannon 
ball screeching overhead, too close for 
comfort. "Miss Lizzie," inad as a wet 
hen, shouted, "So THAT was why you 
invited me up here! Evidently, Gen. 
Davis, some of our men ARE left, 
and they have the nerve to express 
themselves!" 

Grabbing up her skirts, "Miss Liz- 
zie" ran home, there to find that the 
invaders had ransacked everything 
had stolen her fowls and her eggs, 
and made her brother-in-law a pris- 
oner. The man was placed in the cus- 
tody of "Miss Lizzie" on her assurance 
that his wife was very ill, and on her 
promise to make him behave. After 
the occupation of Rome, "Miss Lizzie" 
got even with the "Yankees" by 
charging them top prices for fancy 
hats and flowers to send home to 
their wives. From an astute old wom- 
an of Rome "Miss Lizzie" had learned 
to make feathers into artificial flow- 
ers. Hidden out at Coosa were a few 
white ganders and at Floyd Springs 
some guineas and a peafowl or two, 
so "Miss Lizzie" went to these places 
after material. If she could get a 
horse, all right, and if not, she would 
walk, five miles, ten miles — it made 
no difference. Once she indignantly 
refused to let a Northern soldier help 
her mount a steed. This exhibition of 
lese vuijeste caused the soldier to call 
the corporal of the guard, who es- 
corted her with an armed squad to 
Gen. Davis' headquarters on Fourth 
Avenue. Some more of her privileges 
were taken away, including her lib- 
erty for a day, but this only served 
to make her increase the price of her 
wares. 

"Miss Lizzie" was also suspected of 
furnishing "underground telephone" 
information to the Confederates; she 
was undoubtedly guilty, as were most 
of the other women, and proud of it, 
but the "Yankees" couldn't get a thing 
on her, so she remained a privileged 



character and added greatly to the 
drab camp life of the uninvited guests 
of Rome. 

The cannon of the enemy were 
trained almost exclusively on the de- 
fending forts, and practically all the 
buildings and houses escaped destruc- 
tion at that time. No doubt many a 
shell could be found buried in the va- 
rious hills.* The figures as to losses 
are not available, but it is believed 
that the casualties were few. While 
the bombardment was at its height, B. 
G. Salvage, foreman of The Courier 
composing room, who had succeeded 
Capt. Dwinell as editor while the lat- 
ter laid aside editorial pellets for the 
real kind, was busy grinding out the 
last issue of the paper that Romans 
were to receive before Aug. 31, 1865. 
The makeshift editor pied his type and 
took to swamps and hills. The May 
16, 1864, issue is not available, hence 
much that took place on that stirring 
occasion is forever lost. 

However, we are told by the sur- 
vivors mentioned above that the Con- 
federates withdrew from the last fort 
(Stovall) under cover of the dark- 
ness of May 16, and took up sniping 
positions on Cantrell's Ridge, South 
Rome; on Tubbs' Mountain and other 
vantage points; also that the invading 
skirmishers cautiously entered on May 
17 after having crossed the Oosta- 
naula at or near Battey's Shoals, and 
by noon had advanced their line to 
Maiden Lane (now Third Avenue). 
On the following day. May 18, after 
awaiting orders and packing up. Gen. 
Davis' hosts, said to have been parts 
of the 14th and 16th Army corps, 
numbering perhaps 30,000 men, cross- 
ed the Oostanaula at Printup's wharf, 
midway between the Second Avenue 
and Fifth Avenue bridges, six abreast 
and on pontoon bridges made partly 
of church pews. Their heavy wagons 
and artillery went over safely. Gen. 
Wm. Vandever tarried a short time, 
but soon pushed on to Kingston, and 
left Gen. John M. Corse in charge of 
the garrison of 1,054 men. 

The most serious infantry and cav- 
alry engagement took place at Fort 
Attaway, lasting from 3 to 5 p. m. of 
May 16. As the Confederates with- 
drew, they took with them everything 
that could possibly be used, and de- 
stroyed all that might benefit the ene- 
my. A Texas regiment is said to have 
removed $150,000 in provisions and 
clothing from Broad Street stores. 

*C. L. King, cemetery sexton, has several 
which were dug out of graves in Myrtle Hill. 



Sherman's Army Captures Rome 



177 




A PAIR OF GENERALS WHO "DROPPED IN" ON ROME. 

At the left is Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, commander of the Garrison, and at 
Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, who spent several days on Fourth Avenue. 



right 



The new "tenants" finished the job. 
The few pigs, chickens and cows that 
were left were eagerly seized and 
killed, and it was "every Roman for 
himself." Things of no military value 
were smashed or burned. "Bulls" got 
into the "china shop" of the Buena 
Vista Hotel and had a lively time. 

Dr. J. M. Gregory had been mayor 
the year before. He had refugeed, 
but his good wife and her mother, 
Mrs. Hutchings, the kindly proprie- 
tress, wrung her hands vainly in pro- 
test. 

Mrs. John Choice remained behind, 
cheering the retreating Confederates 
as they passed. For the offense of 
keeping two buckets of water sitting 
at the front of her place to slake the 
thirst of the boys in gray, Mrs. Greg- 
ory's home was set on fire. The flames 
spread over the lower floor, and her 
aged mother had to be carried down a 
ladder from the second story. The 
colored maid, later a resident of Chi- 
cago, followed her just as the fire was 
entering the room. 

Mrs. Samuel Stewart's home on 
Eighth Avenue could be seen from 
afar, and clothing hung up in a cer- 
tain way on the back porch gave sig- 
nals to the Confederates. Union sol- 
diers went to this home and carried 
away everything of value, and poured 
ink on Mrs. Stewart's wearing ap- 
parel. 



A lot of munitions of war and a 
cannon or two were thrown into the 
Oostanaula above Fifth Avenue by the 
Federals, who had more than they 
could carry. A little gunpowder and 
a few shells found in the arsenal at 
Myrtle Hill were destroyed. Zach 
Mooney, who had been employed to 
help make cannon at the Noble Foun- 
dry, took two old pieces and did away 
with them; one went "kerchug!" into 
the Etowah nearby, and another 
splashed into an old well. 

The Lumpkin-Holmes-Morris home 
on Eighth Avenue was used as a hos- 
pital for the wounded Union men. The 
Spullock home was made the head- 
quarters of Gen. Corse, and Gen. Van- 
dever occupied first the Hood-Cum- 
ming - Featherston - Rixie home on 
Broad, and then the Chas. H. Smith 
("Bill Arp") home on Fourth Ave- 
nue, which was used successively by 
Gens. Jeft'erson C. Davis and Wm. T. 
Sherman. A Gen. Cox is also men- 
tioned as having had charge for a 
short time at Rome. 

Horry Wimpee and many others 
unite in praising Gens. Vandever and 
Davis as kind - hearted gentlemen 
whose treatment of Romans was all 
that could have been expected. Gen. 
Sherman appears not to have engaged 
in any atrocities at Rome. As for 
Gen. Corse, he was not possessed of 
the amenities bestowed upon the oth- 
ers; early in his career at Rome he 



178 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



caused the handsome Hawkins home 
on the Lindale road to be burned be- 
cause a crowd of his foragers were 
ambushed at that spot. He was a 
stubborn fighter, however; when near- 
ly overwhelmed by Gen. S. G. French 
at Allatoona, he signalled Gen. Sher- 
man: "I am short a cheek bone and 
part of an ear, but am able to whip 
all hell yet!" 

Gen. Sherman entered Rome from 
Kingston Oct. 12, 1864, on a chase 
after Gen. Hood, who, after the fall 
of Atlanta Sept. 2, rambled all over 
the old Cherokee nation in Georgia, 
Alabama and Tennessee, and proved 
as elusive as a Jack-o-Lantern. Hood 
had marched down the south bank of 
the Etowah, passing through or close 
to Cave Spring, and crossing the 
Coosa at Veal's Ferry, near the vil- 
lage of Coosa. He flitted through 
Texas Valley on the northwestern side 
of Lavender Mountain, with the pur- 
pose of destroying the W. & A. railroad 
and cutting off Sherman's supplies 
from Chattanooga. Fart of Hardee's 
corps went to Mt. Pleasant Methodist 
church (now Oreburg) , turned to the 
left at Farmer's bridge, Armuchee 
Creek, and then went through Floyd 
Springs to Chattooga County, and 
hauled up near Dalton ; Gen. Stuart's* 
corps penetrated Robinson's gap, Lav- 
ender Mountain, then went through 
Texas Valley and crossed Little Ar- 
muchee Creek at Echols' Mill. A junc- 
tion of some of the units was ef- 
fected near Resaca and Hood demand- 
ed the surrender of the garrison there, 
but was refused. 

Hood had crossed the Coosa Oct. 10 
and left a part of Harrison's Brigade 
(being the 8th and 11th Texas Regi- 
ments, the 3rd Arkansas and the 4th 
Tennessee) strung from Lavender Mt. 
to Veal's Ferry; also Stuart's corps of 
four regiments at Sardis church, 
Coosa. A feint on Rome Nov. 12 from 
1,200 to 1,500 of these troops so alarm- 
ed Gen. Sherman that he wired At- 
lanta that Hood was turning back on 
the Hill City, and ordered 50,000 men 
from Atlanta rushed to his aid!** This 
order was countermanded later when 
Sherman learned that H/ood's main 
force was bearing down on Resaca. 
Sherman went on to Resaca the night 
of Oct. 12 and left Corse in charge at 
Rome; and Corse scouted into the 
Coosa Valley and brought back some 
prisoners and guns. 

Gen. Sherman returned to Rome the 
night of Oct. 28 with his staff, and 
again perched himself on Fourth Ave- 
nue; and for four days and a half, 



until the morning of Nov. 2, directed 
operations from that point. On this 
occasion ihe was returning after a 
chase with Hood which had taken him 
down the Chattooga Valley to Gayles- 
ville, Ala. The grizzled West Pointer 
exhibited considerable chagrin that he 
had been unable to corner the South- 
ern army and wipe it out with his 
superior force. On the retreat from 
Dalton, Gen. Johnston had scarcely 
lost a prisoner or a gun, nor had he 
left behind many loaves or fishes for 
the Federals to feed upon. As for 
Hood, his baggage was so light that 
he moved like the wind. Finally Sher- 
man gave up the chase, and set his 
course for the sea. The evacuation of 
Rome started Nov. 10, 1864, and was 
completed by 9 a. m. of Nov. 11. Act- 
ing on orders from Sherman, then at 
Kingston, Gen. Corse burned all the 
mills and factories and some other es- 
tablishments that might be of use to 
the Confederates. 

The burning took place on the night 
of November 10. Never had a scene 
of such wantonness and misery been 
presented to Rome. Dry goods boxes 
and trash were piled high in stores 
and set off, and the crackling of the 
timbers furnished a melancholy echo 
to the wails of women and children. 
Soldiers ran from place to place with 
firebrands in their hands, setting the 
places designated here, and perfectly 
harmless places there. Necessarily 
the stores and shops next to the con- 
demned improvements went up in 
smoke. With hundreds of bayonets 
bristling, the 40 steadfast male Ro- 
mans could do nothing but watch and 
allow their souls to fill with regret. 

Here are some of the Broad Street 
or central establishments which were 
destroyed; both depots, Cunning- 
ham's cotton warehouse, the bank, 
David J. Meyerhardt's store house, 
Daniel R. Mitchell's houses, the Eto- 
wah Hotel (then at Howard Street, 
or Second Avenue). Cohen's gr'jst 
mill on Silver Creek, between East 
Rome and South Rome burnt mer- 
rily. The great brick smoke stacks 
of the Noble Foundry were blown 
up with powder blasts, and the build- 
ings then fired. Only isolated struc- 
tures escaped, until there was 
no place much to do business, and 
less business to do than places. A 
livery stable caught, and the odor of 
burning horseflesh could be detected 
for several blocks. The whinnies of 
the horses told of their awful plight. 

*Not J. E. B. Stuart. 

** Authority: Wm. M. Hardin. 



Sherman's Army Captures Rome 



179 



With this kind of a gesture, Gen. 
Corse bade farewell to Rome. Had 
he fiddled as well, the picture could 
have been little less complete. There 
was more work for him to do. As 
Sherman left Kingston, he said: 
"Corse, the torch." It was not always 
Corse who happened to be convenient. 
Gen. Davis was hard by when Gen. 
Sherman on Nov. 21 found himself on 



*Gen. Sherman no doubt traversed after tlie 
war a considerable part of his course througrh 
Georgia, to verify data for his book. He was 
interested in the Tecumseh Iron Works at Te- 
cumseh, Cherokee Co., Ala., two miles north of 
Borden-Wheeler Springs, and the manager of 
that concern. Gen. Willard Warner, a member 
of Gen. Sherman's staff, used to buy larg? quan- 
tities of goods through the wholesale grocery 
house of Berrys & Co. (later Montgomery, Mo- 
Laurin & Co.), of Rome. On one occasion, 
about 1880, Gen. Sherman came inannounced 
to Rome, and spent some little time waiting to 
change trains at the Rome Railroad depot, 
going to or coming from Tecumseh. Several 
Romans recognized him by his stuljby chin dec- 
orations and shook hands with him. It was 
too soon after the war, however, and most of 
the little crowd contented themselves vv ith a 
look ajnd grunt from a distance, and voted him 
the ugliest mortal they had ever 33en. 



the Howell Cobb plantation in middle 
Georgia. Hardly a scrap of that place 
was spared, because Cobb had just 
left a cabinet position at Washingtoh. 
Although it is popularly accepted 
that Sherman's March to the Sea 
started at 7 a. m., Nov. 15, from At- 
lanta, the preliminaries were staged 
at Rome, Kingston, Cartersville and 
other points north of the capital. 

The stern injunction, "Leave 
not a blade of grass that a grass- 
hopper could subsist upon !" was 
likewise applicable to the conduct 
of the army in the upper section 
of the state. 

It was a devastating scourge, 
this march ; it left many a wrecked 
fortune, bleeding heart and broken 
spirit, but it was also the forerun- 
ner of a new era of development 
and progress for the entire South- 
land. 




180 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




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CHAPTER VI. 
Sherman's Movements as Told by Himself 



I 



N DEFERENCE to the 
feelings and preferences of 
a larg'e majority of readers, 
an effort was made to ob- 
tain a complete and accurate ac- 
count of the troop movements 
around Rome, written from the 
Southern viewpoint. Gen. Jos. E. 
Johnston's story was consulted, 
but it contained such a scanty ref- 
erence to Rome that it was con- 
sidered unavailable for the pur- 
pose. Other works that have fal- 
len under the notice of the author 
have likewise failed to satisfy the 
curiosity for details, hence the ac- 
count by Gen. vSherman is present- 
ed herewith, in the belief that the 
fairness and accuracy of it will 
commend it to all. The extracts 
are from the "Memoirs of Gen. 
Wm. T. Sherman, Vol. II (D. Ap- 
pleton & Co., New York, N. Y., 
1875). 

On the 18th day of March, 1864, at 
Nashville, Tenn., I relieved Lt. Gen. 
Ulysses S. Grant in command of the 
Military Division of the Mississippi, 
embracing the Departments of the 
Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee and 
Arkansas, commanded respectively by 
Maj. Gens. Schofield, Thomas, Mc- 
Pherson and Steele. General Grant 
was in the act of starting east to as- 
sume command of all the Armies of 
the United States, but more particu- 
larly to give direction in person to 
the Armies of the Potomac and James 
opei-ating against Richmond. 

In the early part of April I was 
much disturbed by a bold raid made 
by the rebel General Forrest between 
the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers. 
He reached the Ohio River at Padu- 
cah, but was handsomely repulsed by 
Colonel Hicks. He then swung 
down toward Memphis, massacring 
a part of its garrison, composed 
wholly of negro troops. No doubt 
Forrest's men acted like a set 
of barbarians, shooting down the help- 
less negro garrison, but I am told that 
Forrest personally disclaims any 
active participation in the assault and 
that he stopped the firing as soon as 



he could. I was told by hundreds of 
our men, who were at various times 
prisoners in Forrest's possession, that 
he was usually very kind to them. 

Writing from Nashville head- 
quarters Apr. 10, 1864, Gen. Sher- 
man outlined to Gen. Grant at 
Washington some of the plans for 
his campaign against Atlanta, via 
Ringgold. Dalton, Resaca, Rome, 
Cartersville. Kingston, Allatoona 
and Marietta : 

McPherson will have nine divisions 
of the Army of the Tennessee; if A. J. 
Smith gets here he will have full 30,- 
000 of the best men in America. He 
will cross the Tennessee at Decatur 
and Whitesburg, march toward Rome 
and feel for Thomas. If Johnston 
falls behind the Coosa, then McPher- 
son will push for Rome, and if John- 
ston falls behind the Chattahoochee, 
as I believe he will, then McPherson 
will cross over and join Thomas. 

On Apr. 28, Gen. Sherman re- 
moved his headquarters to Chatta- 
nooga, and on May 5 he took the 
field personally and marched with 
about 100,000 men into Georgia 
against Gen. Johnston, who re- 
treated from Dalton after a brief 
skirmish stand. 

On May 11 the Federal com- 
mander, then at Tunnel Hill, Whit- 
field County, ordered Gen. McPher- 
son, in Sugar Valley, to anticipate 
Gen. Johnston's evacuation of Dal- 
ton by sending Gen. Garrard by 
Summerville to threaten Rome and 
that flank. Instead of taking the 
small Confederate garrison at Re- 
saca, Gordon County, Gen. Mc- 
Pherson fell back into a defensive 
position in Sugar Valley, on the 
Resaca side of Snake Creek Gap. 
Sherman continues : 

.Johnston, as 1 anticipated, had 
abandoned all his well-prepared de- 
fenses at Dalton and was found inside 
of Resaca with the bulk of his army, 
holding his divisions well in hand, 
acting purely on the defensive, and 



182 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



fighting well at all points of conflict. 
A complete line of entrenchments was 
found covering the place, and this was 
strongly manned at all points. On the 
14th we closed in, enveloping the town 
on its north and west, and during the 
15th we had a continual day of battle 
and skirmish. At the same time I 
caused two pontoon bridges to be laid 
across the Oostanaula river at Lay's 
Ferry, about three miles below the 
town, by which we could threaten Cal- 
houn, a station on the railroad seven 
miles below Resaca. I also dispatched 
G»ten. Garrard with his cavalry di- 
vision down the Oostanaula by the 
Rome road, with orders to cross over, 
if possible, and to attack or threaten 
the railroad at any point below Cal- 
houn and above Kingston. 

During the 15th, without attempt- 
ing to assault the fortified works, we 
pressed at all points, and the sound 
of cannon and musketry rose all day 
to the dignity of a battle. Toward 
evening McPherson moved his whole 
line of battle forward, till he had 
gained a ridge overlooking the tov^Ti, 
from which his field artillery could 
reach the railroad bridge across the 
Oostanaula. The enemy made several 
attempts to drive him away, but in 
every instance he was repulsed with 
bloody loss. 

Hooker's Corps had also had some 
heavy and handsome fighting that aft- 
ernoon and night on the left, where 
the Dalton road entered the entrench- 
ments, capturing a 4-gun entrenched 
battery, with its men and guns; and 
generally all our men showed the finest 
fighting qualities. Howard's Corps 
had followed Johnston down from 
Dalton and was in line; Stoneman's 
Division of Cavalry had also got up, 
and was on the extreme left, beyond 
the Oostanaula. On the night of May 
15 Johnston got his army across the 
bridges, set them on fire and we en- 
tered Resaca at daylight. Our loss 
up to that time was about 600 dead 
and 3,375 wounded. 

That Johnston had deliberately de- 
signed in advance to give up such 
strong positions as Dalton and Resaca, 
for the purpose of drawing us farther 
South, is simply absurd. Had he re- 
mained in Dalton another hour it 
would have been his total defeat, and 
he only evacuated Resaca because his 
safety demanded it. The movement 
by us through Snake Creek Gap was 
a total surprise to him. My army 
about doubled his in size, but he had 
all the advantage of natural positions, 
of artificial forts and roads, and of 



concentrated action. We were com- 
pelled to grope our way through for- 
ests, across mountains with a large 
army, necessarily more or less dis- 
persed. 

Johnston having retreated, imme- 
diate pursuit was begun. A division 
of infantry (Jefferson C. Davis') was 
at once dispatched down the valley 
toward Rome, to support Garrard's 
Cavalry, and the whole army was or- 
dered to pursue — McPherson by Lay's 
Ferry, on the right, Thomas directly 
by the railroad, and Schofield by the 
left, by the old road that crossed the 
Oostanaula above Echota or Newtovm. 
We hastily repaired the railroad 
bridge at Resaca, which had been par- 
tially burned, and built a temporary 
floating bridge out of timber and ma- 
terials found on the spot, so that 
Thomas got his advance corps over 
during the 16th, and marched as far 
as Calhoun, where he came into com- 
munication with McPherson's troops, 
which had crossed the Oostanaula at 
Lay's Ferry by our pontoon bridges 
previously laid. Inasmuch as the 
bridge at Resaca was overtaxed, 
Hooker's Twentieth Corps was also 
divei'ted to cross by the fords and 
ferries above Resaca, in the neighbor- 
hood of Echota. 

On the 17th, toward evening, the 
head of Thomas' column, Newton's Di- 
vision, encountered the rear guard of 
Johnston's Army near Adairsville. I 
was near the head of the column at 
the time, trying to get a view of the 
position of the enemy from an eleva- 
tion in an open field. My party at- 
tracted the fire of a battery; a shell 
passed through the group of staff of- 
ficers and burst just beyond, which 
scattered us promptly. The next 
morning the enemy had disappeared, 
and our pursuit was continued to 
Kingston, which we reached during 
Sunday afternoon, the 19th. 

From Resaca the railroad runs 
nearly due south, but at Kingston it 
makes junction with another railroad 
from Rome, and changes direction due 
east (west). At that time McPher- 
son's head of column was about four 
miles to the west of Kingston, at a 
country place called "Woodlawn;" 
Schofield and Hooker were on the di- 
rect roads leading from Newtown to 
Cassville, diagonal to the route fol- 
lowed by Thomas. Thomas' head of 
column, which had followed the coun- 
try roads alongside of the railroad, 
was about four miles east of Kingston, 
toward Cassville. About noon I got 
a message from him that he had found 



Sherman's Movements as Told by Himself 



183 



the enemy drawn up in line of battle 
on some extensive, open ground, about 
half-way between Kingston and Cass- 
ville, and that appearances indicated 
a willingness and preparation for bat- 
tle. 

Hurriedly sending orders to Mc- 
Pherson to resume the march, to 
hasten forward by roads leading to 
the south of Kingston, so as to leave 
for Thomas' troops and trains the use 
of the main road, and to come up on 
his right, I rode forward rapidly over 
some rough gi-avel hills, and about six 
miles from Kingston found Gen. 
Thomas with his troops deployed; but 
he reported that the enemy had fallen 
back in echelon of divisions, steadily 
and in superb order, into Cassville. 

I knew that the roads by which 
Gens. Hooker and Schofield were ap- 
proaching would lead them to a sem- 
inary near Cassville, and that it was 
all-important to secure the point of 
junction of these roads with the main 
road along which we were marching. 
Therefore, I ordered Gen. Thomas to 
push forward his deployed lines as 
rapidly as possible, and as night was 
approaching, I ordered two field bat- 
teries to close up at a gallop on some 
woods which lay between us and the 
town of Cassville. We could not see 
the town by reason of these woods, 
but a high range of hills just back of 
the town was visible over the tree tops. 
On these hills could be seen fresh- 
made parapets and the movement of 
men, against whom I directed the ar- 
tillery to fire at long range. 

The stout resistance made by the 
enemy along our whole front of a 
couple of miles indicated a purpose to 
fight at Cassville, and as the night 
was closing in. Gen. Thomas and I 
were together, along with our skirmish 
lines near the seminary, on the edge 
of the town, where musket bullets 
from the enemy were cutting the 
leaves of the trees pretty thickly 
about us. We went back to the bat- 
tery, where we passed the night on 
the "round. 



*The wonderful cave visited in 1835 by John 
Howard Payne. Col. Mark A. Hardin, mem- 
ber of Morgan's Cavalry, had bought it in 
1861, and with several hundreds of slaves work- 
ing, had sent quantities of nitre to Knoxville 
to make gunpowder for the Confederate Army. 
He refused an offer of $100,000 for the cave, 
and shortly afterward, it was seized by the 
Confederate Government, which was in charge 
when Gen. Sherman captured it. Authority: 
Miss Virginia Hardin, of Atlanta. It is said 
this cave's tributaries extend several miles, and 
that they have never been thoroughly explored. 
The place is visited yearly by thousands, nota- 
bly by the Boy Scouts. 



During the night I had reports from 
McPherson, Hooker and Schofield. The 
former was about five miles to my 
right rear, near the "nitre caves;""* 
Schofield was about six miles north 
and Hooker between us, within two 
miles. All were ordered to close down 
on Cassville at daylight, and to attack 
the enemy wherever found. Skirmish- 
ing was kept up all night, but when 
day broke the next morning. May 
20th, the enemy was gone, and our 
cavalry was sent in pursuit. These 
reported him beyond the .Etowah Riv- 
er. We were then well in advance of 
our railroad trains, so I determined 
to pause a few days to repair the rail- 
road. 

Nearly all the people of the coun- 
try seemed to have fled with John- 
ston's Army, yet some few families 
remained, and from one of them I pro- 
cured a copy of an order which John- 
ston had made at Adairsville in which 
he recited that he had retreated as 
far as strategy required, and that his 
army must be prepared for battle at 
Cassville. The newspapers of the 
South, many of which we found, were 
loud in denunciation of Johnston's 
falling back before us without a se- 
rious battle, simply resisting by his 




COL. THOMAS W. ALEXANDER, once Mayor 
of Rome, in the uniform he wore as a Con- 
federate Army officer. 



184 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



skirmish line and rear guard. But 
his friends proclaimed that it was all 
strategic, that he was deliberately 
drawing us farther and farther into 
the meshes, farther and farther away 
from our base of supplies, and that 
in due season he would not only halt 
for battle, but assume the bold offen- 
sive. 

Of course it was to my interest to 
bring him to battle as soon as possi- 
ble, when our numerical superiority 
was at the greatest; for he was pick- 
ing up his detachments as he fell 
back, whereas I was compelled to make 
similar and stronger detachments to 
repair the railroads as we advanced, 
and to guard them. I found at Cass- 
ville many evidences of preparation 
for a grand battle, among them a 
long line of fresh entrenchments on 
the hill beyond the town, extending 
nearly three miles to the south, err.- 
bracing the railroad crossing. I was 
also convinced that the whole of Polk's 
corps had joined Johnston from Mis- 
sissippi, and that he had in hand three 
full corps, viz.. Hood's, Polk's and Har- 
dee's, numbering about 60,000 men, 
and could not then imagine why he 
had declined battle, and did not learn 
the real reason till after the war was 
over, and then from Gen. Johnston 
hiinself. 

In the autumn of 1865, wheii in 
command of the Military Division of 
the Missouri, I went from St. Louis 
to Little Rock, Ark., and afterward 
to Memphis. Taking a steamer for 
Cairo, I found as fellow passengers 
Gens. Johnston and Frank Blair. We 
were, of course, on the most friendly 
terms, and on our way up we talked 
over our battles again, played cards, 
and ouestioned each other as to par- 
ticular parts of our mutual conduct 
in the game of war. I told Johnston 
that I had seen his order of prepara- 
tion, in the nature of an address to 
his army, announcing his purpose to 
retreat no more, but to accept battle 
at Cassville. He answered that such 
was his purpose; that he had left 
Hardee's corps in the open fields to 
check Thomas and gain time for his 
formations on the ridge, just behind 
Cassville; and it was this corps that 
Gen. Thomas had seen deployed, and 
whose handsome movement in retreat 
he had reported in such complimenta- 
ry terms. Johnston described how he 
had placed Hood's Corps on the right, 
Polk's in the center and Hardee's on 
the left. He said he had ridden over 
the ground, given to each corps com- 
mander his position and orders to 



throw up parapets during the night; 
that he was with Hardee on his ex- 
treme left as the night closed in, and 
as Hardee's troops fell back to the 
position assigned them for the intend- 
ed battle of the next day; and that 
after giving Hardee some general in- 
structions he and his staff rode back 
to Cassville. As he entered the town, 
or village, he met Gens. Hood and 
Polk. Hood inquired of him if he had 
had anything to eat, and he said no, 
that he was both hungry and tired, 
when Hood invited him to go and share 
a supper which had been prepared for 
him at a house close by. 

At the supper they discussed the 
chances of the impending battle, when 
Hood spoke of the ground assigned to 
him as being enfiladed by our (Union) 
artillery, which Johnston disputed, 
when Gen. Polk chimed in with the 
remark that Gen. Hood was right; 
that the cannon shots fired by us 
at nightfall had enfiladed their gen- 
eral line of battle, and for this reason 
he feared they could not hold their 
men. Gen. Johnston was surprised at 
this, for he understood Gen. Hood to 
be one of those who professed to crit- 
icize his strategy, contending that, in- 
stead of retreating, he should have 
risked a battle. Gen. Johnston said 
he was provoked, accused them of 
having been in conference, with be- 
ing beaten before battle, and added 
that he was unwilling to engage in 
a critical battle with an army so su- 
perior to his own in numbers, with 
two of his three corps commanders 
dissatisfied with the ground and posi- 
tions assigned them. He then and there 
made up his mind to retreat still far- 
ther South, to put the Etowah River 
and the Allatoona Range between us; 
and he at once gave orders to resume 
the retrograde movement. 

This was my recollection of the sub- 
stance of the conversation, of which I 
made no note at the time; but at a 
meeting of the Society of the Army 
of the Cumberland some years after, 
at Cleveland, O., about 1868, in a short 
after-dinner speech I related this con- 
versation, and it got into print. Sub- 
sequently, in the spring of 1870, when 
I was at New Orleans, en route for 
Texas, Gen. Hood called to see me 
at the St. Charles Hotel, explained 
that he had seen my speech reprint- 
ed in the newspapers and gave me his 
version of the same event. He stated 
that he had argued against fighting 
the battle purely on the defensive, but 
had asked Gen. Johnston to permit him 
with his own corps and part of Polk's 



Sherman's Movements as Told by Himself 



185 



to quit their lines and to march rapid- 
ly to attack and overwhelm Schofield, 
who was known to be separated from 
Thomas by an interval of nearly five 
miles, claiming that he could have de- 
feated Schofield and got back to his 
position in time to meet Gen. Thomas' 
attack in front. He also stated that 
he had contended with Johnston for 
the "offensive-defensive" game, instead 
of the pure "defensive," as proposed 
by Gen. Johnston; and he said it was 
at this time that Gen. Johnston had 
taken offense, and that it was for this 
reason that he had ordered the retreat 
that night. As subsequent events es- 
tranged these two officers, it is very 
natural they should now differ on this 
point; but it was sufficient for us that 
the rebel army did retreat that night, 
leaving us masters of all the country 
above the Etowah River. 

For the purposes of rest, to give 
time for the repair of the railroads 
and to replenish supplies, we lay by 
some few days in that quarter — Scho- 
field with Stoneman's cavalry holding 
the gi'ound at Cassville Depot, at 
Cartersville, and the Etowah Bridge; 
Thomas holding his ground near Cass- 
ville, and McPherson that near King- 
ston. The officer intrusted with the 
repair of the railroads was Col. W. 
W. Wright, a raih-oad engineer, who, 
with about 2,000 men, was so indus- 
trious and skillful that the bridge at 
Resaca was rebuilt in three days, and 
cars loaded with stores came forward 
to Kingston on the 24th. The tele- 
graph also brought us the news of the 
desperate and bloody battles of the 
Wilderness, in Virginia, and that Gen. 
Grant was pushing his operations 
against Lee with terrific energy. I 
was therefore resolved to give my 
enemy no rest. 

In early days, 1844, when a lieu- 
tenant of the Third Artillery, I had 
been sent from Charleston, S. C, to 
Marietta, Ga., to assist Inspector Gen- 
eral Churchill to take testimony con- 
cerning certain losses of horses and 
accoutrements by the Georgia Volun- 
teers during the Florida War; and 
after completing the work at Marietta 
we transferred our party over to 
Bellefonte, Ala. I had ridden the dis- 
tance on horseback, and had noted well 
the topography of the country, espe- 
cially that about Kennesaw, Allatoona 
and the Etowah River. On that oc- 
casion I had stopped some days with 
a Colonel Tumlin,* to see some remark- 
able Indian mounds on the Etowah 
River, usually called the "Hightower." 

*Lewis Tumlin. 



I therefore knew that the Allatoona 
Pass was very strong, would be hard 
to force, and resolved not even to at- 
tempt it, but to turn the position by 
moving from Kingston to Marietta via 
Dallas; accordingly, I made orders on 
May 20 to get ready for the march 
to begin on the 23d. The army of 
the Cumberland was ordei-ed to march 
for Dallas, by Euharlee and Stiles- 
boro; Davis's Division, then at Rome, 
by Van Wert; the Army of the Ohio 
to keep on the left of Thomas, by a 
place called Burnt Hickory; and the 
Army of the Tennessee to march for 
a position a little to the South, so as 
to be on the right of the general army 
when grouped about Dallas. The move- 
ment contemplated leaving our rail- 
road, and to depend for 20 days on 
the contents of our wagons; and as 
the country was very obscure, mostly 
in a state of nature, densely wooded 
and with few roads, our movements 
were necessarily slow. We crossed 
the Etowah by several bridges and 
fords, and took as many roads as pos- 
sible, keeping up communication by 
cross-roads, or by couriers through 
the woods. I personally joined Gen. 
Thomas, who had the center, and was 
consequently the main column, or "col- 
umn of direction." The several col- 
umns followed generally the Valley of 
the Euharlee, a tributary coming into 
the Etowah from the South, and grad- 
ually crossed over a ridge of moun- 
tains, parts of which had been work- 
ed over for gold, and were conse- 
quently full of paths and unused 
wagon roads or tracks. 

A "cavalry picket" of the enemy at 
Burnt Hickory was captured and had 
on his person an order from Gen. 
Johnston, dated at Allatoona, which 
showed that he had detected my pur- 
pose of turning his position, and it 
accordingly became necessary to use 
great caution, lest some of the minor 
columns should fall into ambush, but, 
luckily, the enemy was not much more 
familiar with that part of the coun- 
try than we were. On the other side 
of the Allatoona Range, the Pumpkin- 
Vine Creek, also a tributary of the 
Etowah, flowed north and west; Dal- 
las, the point aimed at, was a small 
town on the other, or east side of this 
creek, and was a point of concentra- 
tion of a great many roads that led 
in every direction. Its possession would 
be a threat to Marietta and Atlanta, 
but I could not then venture to at- 
tempt either, till I had regained use 
of the railroad, at least as far down 
as its debouch from the Allatc^ona 



186 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Range of mountains. Therefore, the 
movement was chiefly designed to com- 
pel Johnston to give up Allatoona. 

In his description of the "drawn 
battle" of New Hope Church at 
Dallas, Paulding County, May 26, 
Gen. Sherman notes that Gen. Jef- 
ferson C. Davis' Federal Garrison 
or Division of the Fourteenth Ar- 
my Corps had left Rome and come 
to his assistance. He says he or- 
dered Gen. Hooker to capture the 
New Hope position the night of 
the 25th, if possible, and goes on : 

The woods were so dense and the 
resistance so spirited that Hooker 
could not carry the position, though 
the battle was noisy and prolonged 
far into the night. From the bloody 
fighting there for the next week it 
was called by the soldiers "Hell-Hole." 
The night was pitch-dark, it rained 
hard and the convergence of our col- 
umns toward Dallas produced much 
confusion. I am sure similar confusion 
existed in the army opposed to us, for 
we were all mixed up. I slept on the 
ground without cover, alongside of i; 
log, got little sleep, resolved at day- 
light to renew the battle. The battle 
was renewed, and without success. A 
continual battle was in progress by 
strong skirmish lines taking advan- 
tage of every species of cover, and 
both parties fortifying each night by 
rifle-trenches, with head-logs. Occ; 
sionally one party or the other would 
make a dash in the nature of a sally, 
but usually it sustained a repulse with 
gxeat loss of life. I visited personally 
all parts of cur lines nearly every 
day, was constantly within musket 
range, and though the fire of mus- 
ketry and cannon resounded day and 
night along the whole line, I rarely 
saw a dozen of the enemy at one 
time, and these were always skirmish- 
ers, dodging from tree to tree, or be- 
hind logs on the ground, or who oc- 
casionally showed their heads above 
the hastily-constructed but remark- 
ably strong rifle-trenches. On the oc- 
casion of my visit to McPherson on the 
30th of May, while standing with a 
group of officers, among whom were 
Gens. McPherson, Logan and Barry, 
and Col. Taylor, my former chief of 
artillery, a Minie ball passed through 
Logan's coat sleeve, scratching the 
skin, and struck Col. Taylor square 
in the breast; luckily, he had in his 
pocket a famous memorandum book in 
which he kept a sort of diary, about 
which we used to joke him a good deal; 



its thickness saved his life, breaking 
the force of the ball. 

Next are chronicled the bat- 
tles before the fall of Atlanta, 
Sept. 2, 1864. Gen. Johnston had 
now been succeeded in command 
in Georgia by Gen. John B. Hood, 
and Hood led Sherman a merry 
chase back toward Rome and over 
a considerable part of the terri- 
tory that had been traversed on 
the drive down. Atlanta was or- 
dered evacuated by the civilian 
population, and in reply to pro- 
tests. Gen. Sherman wrote Gen. 
H. W. Halleck, chief of stafif, at 
Washington : 

If the people raise a howl against 
my barbarity and cruelty, I will an- 
swer that war is war, and not pop- 
ularity-seeking. If they want peace, 
they and their relatives must stop the 
war. 

By date Sept. 28, 1864, Gen. Hal- 
leck wrote Gen. Sherman, "I 
would destroy every mill and fac- 
tory within reach that I did not 
want for my own use. This the 
rebels have done, not only in Ma- 
ryland and Pennsylvania, but also 
in Virginia and other rebel states, 
when compelled to fall back before 
our armies. In many sections of 
the country they have not left a 
mill to grind grain for their own 
suffering families, lest we might 
use them to supply our armies. We 
must do the same."* 

Hearing that Gen. Joe Wheel- 
er's Confederate Cavalry was 
threatening the railroad commu- 
nications in Middle Tennessee and 
that Gen. Forrest was coming up 
from Mississippi to join him. Gen. 
Sherman ordered Newton's di- 
vision of the Fourth Army Corps 
back to Chattanooga, Corse's di- 
vision of the Seventeenth Corps 
back to Rome, and warned other 
commands to watch out. 

"I take it for gi-anted that Forrest 
will cut our road, but think we can 
prevent him from making a serious 

*This message was received at Rome. 



Sherman's Movements as Told by Himself 



187 



lodgment," wired Oen. Sherman Sept. 
29, 1864, to Gen. Halleck. "His cav- 
alry will travel a hundred miles where 
ours will ten. I have sent two divis- 
ions up to Chattanooga and one to 
Rome. Our roads should be watched 
from the rear. I prefer for the fu- 
ture to make the movement on Mil- 
len, Milledgeville and Savannah. Hood 
now rests 24 miles south, on the Chat- 
tahoochee, with his right on the West 
Point road. I can whip his infantry, 
but his cavalry is to be feared." 

The Union army under com- 
mand of Gen. Sherman had been 
radically reconstituted, and he 
claimed 60,000 infantry and artil- 
lery, with two small divisions of 
cavalry, in the pursuit after Gen. 
Hood, whose forces he estimated 
at 35,000 to 40,000 men, including 
about 3,000 of cavalry under Gen. 
Wheeler. 

"We had strong railroad guards at 
Marietta and Kennesaw, Allatoona, 
Etowah Bridge, Kingston, Rome, Re- 
saca, Dalton, Ringgold and Chatta- 
nooga," continues the Sherman nar- 
rative. "All the important bridges 
were likewise protected by good block 
houses, admirably constructed, and 
capable of a strong defense against 
cavalry or infantry We crossed the 
Chattahoochee River during the 3rd 
and 4th of October, rendezvoused at 
the old battlefield of Smyrna Camp, 
and the next day reached Marietta 
and Kennesaw. On the 4th of Octo- 
ber I signalled from Vining's Station 
to Kennesaw, and from Kennesaw to 
Allatoona, over the heads of the enemy, 
a message to Gen. Corse at Rome, to 
hurry back to the assistance of the 
garrison at Allatoona, which was held 
by a small brigade commanded by 
Lieut. Col. Tourtelotte, my present 
aide de camp, who had two small re- 
doubts on either side of the railroad, 
overlooking the village of Allatoona 
and the warehouses, in which wei-e 
stored over a million rations of bread." 

Here he comes to the Big Shan- 
ty neighborhood : 

Reaching Kennesaw Mountain about 
8 a. m. of Oct. 5 (a beautiful day), 
I had a superb view of the vast pan- 
orama to the north and west. To the 
southwest, aboiiv Dallas, could be seen 
the smoke of camp-fires, indicating 
the presence of a large force of the 
enemy, and the whole line of railroad 
from Big Shanty up to Allatoona (full 
fifteen miles) was marked by the fires 



of the burning railroad. We could 
plainly see the smoke of battle about 
Allatoona and hear the faint reverber- 
ation of the cannon. 

The signal officer on Kennesaw re- 
ported that since daylight he had fail- 
ed to obtain any answer to his call 
for Allatoona ; but while I was with 
him he caught a faint glimpse of the 
tell-tale flag through an embrasure 
and after much time he made out 
these letters: "C," "R," "S," "E," 
"H," "E," "R," and translated the mes- 
sage, "Corse is here." 

Later in the afternoon the signal 
flag announced that the attack at Al- 
latoona had been fairly repulsed. The 
next day my aide. Col. L. M. Dayton, 
received this characteristic despatch 
from Gen. Corse at Allatoona : "I am 
short a cheekbone and an ear, but am 
able to whip all hell yet! My losses 
are very heavy. A force moving from 
Stilesboro to Kingston gives me some 
anxiety. Tell me where Sherman is." 

Inasmuch as the enemy had retreat- 
ed southwest and would probably next 
appear at Rome, I ordered Gen. Corse 
to get back to Rome with his troops 
as quickly as possible. Gen. Corse's 
report of his fight at Allatoona is 
very full and graphic. It is dated 
Rome, Oct. 27, 1864; recites the fact 
that he received his orders by signal 
to go to the assistance of Allatoona on 
the 4th, when he telegraphed to Kings- 
ton for cars, and a train of 30 empty 
cars was started for him, but about 
ten of them got off the track and 
caused delay. By 7 p. m. he had at 
Rome a train of 20 cars, which he 
loaded up with Col. Rowett's Brigade 
and part of the Twelfth Illinois In- 
fantry; started at 8 p. m., reached 
Allatoona (35 miles) at 1 a. m. of 
the 5th and sent the train back for 
more men; but the road was in bad 
order and no more came in time. 

The gallant Major Gen. S. G. 
French, commanding some 4,000 
Confederates, surrounded the 2,000 
Federals under Gen. Corse and Col. 
Tourtelotte, and sent in a demand 
for surrender "to avoid a needless 
effusion of blood." Gen. Corse re- 
fused to surrender ; he was badly 
wounded ; Gen. French withdrew 
at the approach of a superior force 
from Sherman's army. A bullet 
cut across Gen. Corse's face and 
punctured one of his cars ; Col. 
Tourtelotte was shot through the 



188 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



hips, but continued to command; 
Col. Redfield, of the 39th Iowa 
regiment, was killed, and Col. 
Rowett, also of the Union army, 
was wounded. Corse's casualties 
were 707, or more than one-third 
of his command. Gen. Sherman's 
account continues : 

In person I reached Allatoona on 
the 9th of October, still in doubt as 
to Hood's immediate intentions. Our 
cavah'y could do little against his in- 
fantry in the rough and wooded coun- 
try about Dallas, which masked the 
enemy's movements; but Gen. Corse, 
at Rome, with Spencer's First Ala- 
bama Cavalry and a mounted regi- 
ment of Illinois Infantry, could feel 
the country south of Rome about 
Cedartown and Villa Rica, and report- 
ed the enemy to be in force at both 
places. On the 9th I telegraphed to 
Gen. Thomas at Nashville, as follows: 

"I came up here to relieve our road. 
The Twentieth Corps remains at At- 
lanta. Hood reached the road and 
broke it up between Big Shanty and 
Acworth. He attacked Allatoona, but 
was repulsed. We have plenty of bread 
and meat, but forage is scarce. I want 
to destroy all the road below Chatta- 
nooga, including Atlanta, and to make 
for the seacoast. We can not defend 
this long line of road. 

And on the same day I telegraphed 
to Gen. Grant at City Point, Va.: 

"It will be a physical impossibility 
to protect the roads, now that Hood, 
Forrest, Wheeler and the whole patch 
of devils are turned loose without 
home or habitation. I think Hood's 
movements indicate a diversion to the 
end of the Selma & Talladega road, at 
Blue Mountain, about 60 miles south- 
west of Rome, from which he will 
threaten Kingston, Bridgeport and De- 
catur, Ala. I propose that we break 
up the railroad from Chattanooga for- 
ward, and that we strike out with 
our wagons for Milledgeville, Millen 
and Savannah. Until we can repopu- 
late Georgia, it is useless for us to oc- 
cupy it; but the utter destruction of 
its roads, houses and people will crip- 
ple their military resources. By at- 
tempting to hold the roads we will lose 
a thousand men each month, and will 
■gain no result. I can make this march 
and make Georgia howl! We have on 
hand over 8,000 head of cattle, and 
3,000,000 rations of bread, but no corn. 
We can find plenty of forage in the 
interior of the state." 



Meantime, the rebel Gen. Forrest 
had made a bold circuit in Mid- 
dle Tennessee, avoiding all forti- 
fied points, and breaking up the rail- 
road at several places; but as usual, 
he did his work so hastily and care- 
lessly that our engineers soon repair- 
ed the damage — then reti-eating before 
Gen. Rousseau, he left the State of 
Tennessee, crossing the river near 
Florence, Ala., and got off unharmed. 

On the 10th of October the enemy 
appeared south of the Etowah River 
at Rome, when I ordered all the arm- 
ies to march to Kingston, rode myself 
to Cartersville with the 23rd Corps 
(Gen. Cox) and telegraphed from 
there to Gen. Thomas at Nashville: 

"It looks to me as though Hood was 
bound for Tuscumbia. He is now 
crossing the Coosa River below Rome, 
looking west. Let me know if you can 
hold him with your forces now in Ten- 
nessee and the expected re-enforce- 
ments, as, in that event, you know 
what I propose to do. I will be at 
Kingston tomorrow. I think Rome is 
strong enough to resist any attacks, 
and the rivers are all high. If he 
turns up by Summerville, I will get 
in behind him." 

And on the same day to Gen. Grant 
at City Point: 

"Hood is now crossing the Coosa, 
twelve miles below Rome, bound west. 
If he passes over to the Mobile & 
Ohio railroad, had I not better execute 
the plan of my letter sent you by Col- 
onel Porter, and leave Gen. Thomas, 
with the troops now in Tennessee, to 
defend the state? He will have an am- 
ple force when the re-enforcements or- 
dered reach Nashville." 

I found Gen. John E. Smith at Car- 
tersville, and on the 11th rode on to 
Kingston, where I had telegraphic 
communications in all directions. From 
Gen. Corse, at Rome, I learned that 
Hood's army had disappeared, but in 
what direction he was still in doubt; 
and I was so strongly convinced of the 
wisdom of my proposition to change 
the whole tactics of the campaign, to 
leave Hood to Gen. Thomas, and to 
march across Georgia for Savannah 
or Charleston, that I again telegraph- 
ed Gen. Grant: 

"We can not now remain on the de- 
fensive. With 25,999 infantry and the 
bold cavalry he has. Hood can con- 
stantly break my road. I would in- 
finitely prefer to make a wreck of the 
road and the country from Chatta- 
nooga to Atlanta, including the lat- 
ter city; send back all my wounded 



Sherman's Movements as Told by Himself 



189 




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190 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



and unserviceable men, and with my 
effective army move through Georgia, 
smashing things to the sea. Hood may 
turn into Tennessee and Kentucky, but 
I believe he vi^ill be forced to follov^r 
me. Instead of being on the defensive, 
I w^ill be on the offensive. Instead of 
my guessing at what he means to do, 
he will have to guess at my plans. The 
difference in war would be fully 25 
per cent. I can make Savannah, 
Charleston or the mouth of the Chat- 
tahoochee (Appalachicola) . Answer 
quick, as I know we vdll not have the 
telegraph long." 

I received no answer to this at the 
time, and the next day went on to 
Rome, where the news came that Hood 
had made his appearance at Resaca 
and had demanded the surrender of 
the place, which was commanded by 
Col. Weaver, reinforced by Brevet 
Brig.-Gen. Raum. Gen. Hood had ev- 
idently marched with rapidity up the 
Chattooga Valley by Summerville. La- 
Fayette, Ship's Gap and Snake Creek 
Gap, and had with him his whole 
army, except a small force left behind 
to watch Rome. I ordered Resaca to 
be further reinforced by rail from 
Kingston, and ordered Gen. Corse to 
make a bold reconnoisance down the 
Coosa Valley, which captured and 
brought into Rome some cavalrymen 
and a couple of field guns, with their 
horses and men. At first I thought 
of interposing my whole army in the 
Chattooga Valley, so as to prevent 
Hood's escape south; but I saw at a 
glance that he did not mean to fight, 
and in that event, after damaging the 
road all he could, he would be likely 
to retreat eastward by Spring Place, 
which I did not want him to do; and 
hearing from Gen. Raum that he still 
held Resaca safe, and that Gen. Ed- 
ward McCook had also got there with 
some cavalry re-enforcements, I turn- 
ed all the heads of columns from Re- 
saca, viz., Gen. Cox's from Rome; Gen. 
Stanley's from McGuire's, and Gen. O. 
O. Howard's from Kingston. We all 
reached Resaca during that night, and 
the next morning (13th) learned that 
Hood's whole army had passed up 
the valley toward Dalton, burning the 
railroad and doing all the damage 
possible. On the 12th he had demand- 
ed the surrender of Resaca in the fol- 
lowing letter: 

Headquarters Army of Tennessee, 
In the Field, Oct. 12, 1864. 

To the Officer Commanding the Unit- 
ed States Forces at Resaca, Ga.: 
Sir: I demand the immediate and 

unconditional surrender of the post 



and garrison under your command, 
and, should this be acceded to, all 
white officers and soldiers will be 
paroled in a few days. If the place 
is carried by assault, no prisoners will 
be taken. 

Most respectfully, your obedient ser- 
vant, 

J. B. HOOD, General. 

To this, Col. Weaver, then in com- 
mand, replied: 

Headquarters Second Brigade, Third 

Division, Fifteenth Corps, Resaca, 

Ga., Oct. 12, 1864. 

To General J. B. Hood: Your com- 
munication of this date just received. 
In reply I have to state that I am 
somewhat surprised at the concluding 
paragraph, to the effect that if the 
place is carried by assault, no pris- 
oners will be taken. In my opinion, 
I can hold this post. If you want it, 
come and take it. 

I am, general, very respectfully, 
your most obedient servant, 

CLARK R. WEAVER, 
Commanding Officer. 

This brigade was very small, and 
as Hood's investment extended only 
from the Oostanaula, below the town, 
to the Connasauga, above, he left open 
the approach from the south, which 
enabled Gen. Raum and the cavalry of 
Gen. Edward McCook to re-enforce 
from Kingston. In fact, Hood, admon- 
ished by his losses at Allatoona, did 
not attempt an assault at all, but lim- 
ited his attack to the above threat and 
to some skirmishing, giving his atten- 
tion chiefly to the destruction of the 
railroad, which he accomplished all 
the way up to Tunnel Hill, nearly 20 
miles, capturing en route the regiment 
of black troops at Dalton (Johnson's 
44th United States, colored). On the 
14th I turned Gen. Howard through 
Snake Creek Gap, and sent Gen. Stan- 
ley around by Tilton, with orders to 
cross the mountain to the west, so as 
to capture, if possible, the force left 
by the enemy in Snake Creek Gap. We 
found this gap very badly obstructed 
by fallen timber, but got through that 
night, and the next day the main army 
was at Villanow (Walker County). On 
the morning of the 16th, the leading 
division of Gen. Howard's column, com- 
manded by Gen. Chas. R. Woods, car- 
ried Ship's Gap, taking prisoners part 
of the 24th South Carolina Regiment, 
which had been left there to hold us in 
check. 

The best information there obtained 
located Hood's army at LaFayette, 



Sherman's Movements as Told by Himself 



191 



near which place I hoped to catch 
him and force him to battle; but by 
the time we had got enough troops 
across the mountain at Ship's Gap, 
Hood had escaped down the Valley of 
the Chattooga, and all we could do 
was to follow him as closely as pos- 
sible. From Ship's Gap I dispatched 
couriers to Chattanooga, and received 
word back that Gen. Schofield was 
there, endeavoring to co-operate with 
me, but Hood had broken up the tele- 
grraph, and had thus prevented quick 
communication. Gen. Schofield did 
not reach me until the army had got 
down to Gaylesville, Ala., about the 
21st of October. We quietly followed 
him down the Chattooga Valley to the 
neighborhood of Gadsden, but failed 
the main armies near the Coosa River, 
at the mouth of the Chattooga. 

On Oct. 19 I telegraphed Gen. Amos 
Beckwith, chief commissary in At- 
lanta : 

"Hood will escape me. I want to 
prepare for my big raid. On the 1st 
of November I want nothing in At- 
lanta but what is necessary for war. 
Send all trash to the rear at once, and 
have on hand 30 days' food and but 
little forage. I propose to abandon 
Atlanta and the railroad back to Chat- 
tanooga, to sally forth to ruin Geor- 
gia, and bring up on the seashore. 1 
will go down the Coosa until I am sure 
that Hood has gone to Blue Moun- 
tain." 

On the 21st of October I reached 
Gaylesville, had my bivouac in an open 
field back of the village, and remained 
there until the 28th. At Gaylesville 
the pursuit of Hood by the army un- 
der my immediate command may be 
said to have ceased. During the pur- 
suit the Fifteenth Corps was com- 
manded by its senior major general 
present, P. J. Osterhaus, in the ab- 
sence of Gen. John A. Logan; and the 
Seventeenth Corps was commanded by 
Brig. Gen. T. E. G. Ransom, the senior 
officer present, in the absence of Gen. 
Frank P. Blair. Gen. Ransom was a 
young, most gallant and promising of- 
ficer, son of the Col. Ransom who was 
killed at Chapultepec, in the Mexican 
War. He had served with the Army 
of the Tennessee in 1862 and 1863 at 
Vicksburg, where he was severely 
wounded. He was not well when we 
started from Atlanta, but he insisted 
on going along with his command. His 
symptoms became more aggravated on 
the march, and when we were encamp- 
ed near Gaylesville I visited him in 
company with Surgeon John Moore, 
who said the case was one of typhoid 



fever, which would likely prove fatal. 
I few days later, viz., the 28th, he 
was being carried on a litter toward 
Rome; and as I rode from Gaylesville 
to Rome I passed him by the way, stop- 
ped and spoke to him, but did not then 
suppose he was so near his end. The 
next day, however, his escort reached 
Rome, bearing his dead body. The of- 
ficer in charge reported that shortly 
after I had passed, his symptoms be- 
came so much worse that they stopped 
at a farm-house by the roadside, 
where he died that evening. His body 
was at once sent to Chicago for burial, 
and a monument has been ordered by 
the Society of the Army of the Ten- 
nessee to he erected in his memory. 

It had become almost an ob- 
session with Gen. Sherman that 
he should take up his proposed 
"March to the Sea," and now the 
opportunity was to be given him. 
Up to this time he had been kept 
pretty busy by Johnston, Hood, 
Wheeler and Forrest, and for them 
all had accjuired a considerable ad- 
miration. He respected Johnston 
for his strategy and tenacious 
fighting against heavy odds ; he 




JAMES NOBLE. SR., head of the Noble fam- 
ily, which added to Rome's advancement and 
later established Anniston. 



192 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



gave left-handed praise to Hood 
for his elusiveness ; he worship- 
ped the boldness of Wheeler's cav- 
alry ; and he took ofi' his hat to 
Forrest May 3, 1863, when For- 
rest's handful of men captured 
Streight with a force three times 
as large and marched the captives 
into Rome. 

Sherman reports that on Oct. 31, 
1864, "Forrest made his appearance 
on the Tennessee River opposite John- 
sonville (whence a new railroad led to 
Nashville), and with his cavalry and 
field pieces actually crippled and cap- 
tured two gunboats with five of our 
transports, a feat of arms which I 
confess excited my admiration. There 
is no doubt that the month of October 
closed to us looking decidedly squally; 
but somehow I was sustained in the 
belief that in a very few days the tide 
would turn." 

Oct. 28, 1864, found Gen. Sher- 
man quartered in the comfortable 
two-story frame dwelling of Ma- 
jor Chas. H. Smith ("Bill Arp"), 
where the handsome modern home 
of Mrs. Chas. A. Hight now stands 
at 312 Fourth Avenue, Rome. The 
general was an exceedingly busy 
man. He did not have time for 
social entertainments, assuming 
that any of the "natives" felt in- 
clined to be sociable. He was 
busy writing some dispatches, de- 
livering others orally, penning tel- 
egrams to Grant, Halleck and 
Thomas, snatching a hasty meal 
here and there and dashing away 
on his trusty charger. Assuming 
that he arrived in Rome the night 
of Oct. 28 and that he remained 
until the morning of Nov. 2, when 
he left for Kingston, he spent 
three and a half days on this oc- 
casion in the City of Seven Hills. 
He had first visited Rome as a 
3^oung army lieutenant in 1844, go- 
ing to Bellefonte, Ala., from Ma- 
rietta and back two months later 
by horseback, presumably follow- 
ing the same route both ways ; and 
again, Oct. 12, 1864. he mentions 
that he went to Rome from King- 
ston, and on the 14th was before 



Resaca, hence on that visit proba- 
bly stayed several hours. Gen. Jef- 
ferson C. Davis, having been sent 
down the Oostanaula River from 
Resaca toward Rome, May 16, 
probably arrived at Rome May 17, 
and made his headquarters at the 
Smith home on Fourth /\venue 
until he executed orders issued 
May 20 by Sherman to March 
May 23 for Dallas via Van Wert, 
a dead town of Polk County. Per- 
haps 20,000 men and nearly 1,000 
wagons in Davis' command 
marched on Rome, which was gar- 
risoned by a small Confederate 
force. After firing on the invaders 
from a fort on Myrtle Hill Ceme- 
tery, the Confederates evacuated 
the town, and the invaders crossed 
the Oostanaula River at the old 
Printup Wharf, midway between 
the present Second and Fifth Ave- 
nue bridges, on pontoons partly 
constructed of pews taken out of 
the churches of Rome. 

The plan of Sherman's advance 
had been this : The Army of the 
Ohio (Gen. McPherson) made up 
the left wing, and marched south- 
ward from Resaca on the left-hand 
side of the Western & Atlantic 
(state) railroad; the Army of the 
Cumberland (Gen. Thomas) made 
up the center and marched along 
the track and right-of-way ; the 
Army of the Tennessee (Gen. 
McPherson) made up the right 
wing, and took the right-hand side. 
Davis' Division and Garrard's Cav- 
alry, dispatched to Rome, evident- 
ly were a part of the right wing, 
or Army of the Tennessee. In view 
of the fact that Gen. Sherman was 
traveling with his center and left 
in the close pursuit of Johnston 
through Bartow County (Adairs- 
ville, Kingston, Cassville and Car- 
tersville) it is probable that dur- 
ing this period (May 18-20) the 
Federal commander did not come 
to Rome. 

"On the first day of November, 
1864," writes Gen. Sherman in his 



Sherman's Movements as Told by Himself 



193 



Memoirs, "I telegraphed very fully to 
Gen. Grant at City Point (who must 
have been disturbed by the wild ru- 
mors that filled the country) , and on 
the second of November (at Rome) re- 
ceived this dispatch: 

" 'City Point, Va., Nov. 1, 1864, 6 P. M. 
'• 'Major-General Sherman: 

" 'Do you not think it advisable, 
now that Hood has gone so far north, 
to entirely ruin him before starting on 
your proposed campaign? With Hood's 
army destroyed, you can go where you 
please with impunity. I believed and 
still believe if you had started south 
while Hood was still in the neighbor- 
hood, he would have been forced to 
go after you. Now that he is far 
away he might look upon the chase as 
useless, and he will go in one direc- 
tion while you are pushing in another. 
If you can see a chance of destroying 
Hood's army, attend to that first, and 
make your other move secondary. 

" 'U. S. GRANT, Lieut.-Gen.' 

"My answer is dated: 

"Rome, Georgia, Nov. 2, 1864. 

"Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, City 
Point, Virginia: 

"Your dispatch is received. If I 
could hope to overhaul Hood, I would 
turn against him with my whole force; 
then he would retreat to the southwest, 
drawing me as a decoy away from 
Georgia, which is his chief object. If 
he ventures north of the Tennessee 
River, I may turn in that direction, 
and endeavor to get below him on his 
line of retreat; but thus far he has 
not gone above the Tennessee River. 
General Thomas will have a force 
strong enough to prevent his reaching 
any country in which we have an in- 
terest; and he has orders, if Hood 
turns to follow me, to push for Selma, 
Alabama. No single army can catch 
Hood and I am convinced the best re- 
sults will follow from our defeating 
Jeff Davis's cherished plan of making 
me leave Georgia by maneuvering. 
Thus far I have confined my efforts to 
thwart this plan, and have reduced 
baggage so that I can pick up and 
start in any direction; but I regard 
the pursuit of Hood as useless. Still, 
if he attempts to invade Middle Ten- 
nessee, I will hold Decatur and be pre- 
pared to move in that direction; but 
unless I let go of Atlanta, my force 
will not be equal to his. 

"W. T. SHERMAN, Maj.-Gen." 

By this date, under the intelligent 
and energetic action of Col. W. W. 



Wright, and with the labor of some 
1,500 men, the railroad break of fif- 
teen miles about Dalton was repaired 
so as to admit of the passage of cars, 
and I transferred my headquarters to 
Kingston as more central. (Note: By 
this last statement it is inevitable that 
his headquarters had been at Rome, 
and he was not there merely on one 
of his "rounds"). From that place 
(Kingston) on the same day (Nov. 2) 
I again telegraphed to Gen. Grant: 

"Kingston, Ga., Nov. 2, 1864. 

"Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, 
City Point, Virginia. 

"If I turn back, the whole effect 
of my campaign will be lost. By my 
movements I have thrown Beauregard 
(Hood) well to the west, and Thomas 
will have ample time and sufficient 
troops at Chattanooga and Atlanta, 
and I can stand a month's interruption 
to our communications. I do not be- 
lieve the Confederate army can reach 
our railroad lines except by cavalry 
raids, and Wilson will have cavalry 
enough to checkmate them. I am clear- 
ly of the opinion that the best results 
will follow my contemplated movement 
through Georgia. 

"W. T. SHERMAN, Maj.-Gen." 




J. A. GLOVER, banker and leading citizen, 
for many years closely identified with the 
commercial development of Rome. 



194 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



That same day I received, in answer 
to the Rome dispatch, the following: 

"City Point, Va., Nov. 2, 1862, 11:30 

A. M. 
"Major-General Sherman: 

"Your dispatch of 9 a. m. yesterday 
is just received. I dispatched you the 
same date, advising that Hood's army, 
now that it had worked so far north, 
ought to be looked upon now as the 
'object.' With the force, however, that 
you have left with General Thomas, 
he must be able to take care of Hood 
and destroy him. I do not see that 
you can withdraw from where you are 
to follow Hood, without giving up all 
we have gained in territory. I say, 
then, go on as you propose. 

"U. S. GRANT, Lieut.-Gen." 

Sherman's word to "go" was 
thus received while he was head- 
quartered at Kingston, and came 
in response to his urgent appeal 
from Rome, and in consequence 
of recommendations before. There 
is an evident error in the Grant 
message just above, dated Nov. 2 
and referring to Sherman's Rome 
message, also dated Nov. 2, as 
"your dispatch of 9 a. m. yester- 
day." The Grant dispatch date 
undoubtedly shotild have been 
Nov. 3. 

This was the first time that Gen. 
Grant assented to the "March to the 
Sea" and although many of his warm 
friends and admirers insist that he 
was the author and projector of that 
march, and that I simply executed his 
plans. Gen. Grant has never, in my 
opinion, thought so or said so. The 
truth is fully given in an original let- 
ter of President Lincoln, which I re- 
ceived at Savannah, Ga., and have at 
this instant before me, every word of 
which is in his own familiar hand- 
writing. It is dated — 

"Washington, Dec. 26, 1864. 

"When you were about leaving At- 
lanta for the Atlantic Coast, I was 
anxious, if not fearful; but, feeling 
that you were the better judge, and 
remembering 'nothing risked, nothing 
gained,' I did not interfere. Now, the 
undertaking being a success, the honor 
is all yours; for I believe none of us 
went further than to acquiesce; and, 
taking the work of Gen. Thomas into 
account, as it should be taken, it is 
indeed a great success. Not only does 



it afford the obvious and immediate 
military advantages, but, in showing 
to the world that your army could be 
divided, putting the stronger part to 
an important new service, and yet 
leaving enough to vanquish the old op- 
posing force of the whole, Hood's 
army, it brings to those who sat in 
darkness to see a great light. But 
what next? I suppose it will be safer 
if i leave General Grant and yourself 
to decide. 

"A. LINCOLN." 

On the 2nd of November I was at 
Kingston, Ga., and my four corps — 
the Fifteenth, Seventeenth, Four- 
teenth and Twentieth — with one divis- 
ion of cavalry, were strung from Rome 
to Atlanta. Our railroads and tele- 
graph had been repaii'ed, and I de- 
liberately prepared for a march to Sa- 
vannah, distant 300 miles from Atlan- 
ta. All the sick and wounded men 
had been sent back by rail to Chat- 
tanooga; all our wagon trains had 
been carefully overhauled and load- 
ed, so as to be ready to start on an 
hour's notice, and there was no se- 
rious enemy in our front. 

Gen. Hood remained still at Flor- 
ence, Ala., occupying both banks of 
the Tennessee River, busy in collect- 
ing shoes and clothing for his men 
and the necessary ammunition and 
stores with which to invade Tennessee. 
Beauregard was at Corinth, hastening 
forward these necessary preparations. 
Gen. Thomas was at Nashville, with 
Wilson's dismounted cavalry and a 
mass of new troops and quartermas- 
ter's employes, amply sufficient to de- 
fend the place. 

On the 6th of November, at Kings- 
ton, I wrote and telegraphed to Gen. 
Grant, reviewing the whole situation, 
gave him my full plan of action, stated 
that I was ready to march as soon as 
the election was over, and appointed 
Nov. 10 as the day for starting. On 
the 8th I received this dispatch: 

"City Point, Va., Nov. 7, 1864, 10:30 
P. M. 

"Major-General Sherman: 

" i our dispatch of this evening re- 
ceived. I see no present reason for 
changing your plan. Should any arise, 
you will see it, or if I do I will in- 
form you. I think everything here is 
favorable now. Great good fortune 
attend you! I believe you will be emi- 
nently successful, and at worst, can 
only make a march less fruitful than 
hoped for. 

"U. S. GRANT, Lieut.-Gen." 



Sherman's Movements as Told by Himself 



195 



Meantime, trains of cars were whirl- 
ing by, carrying to the rear an im- 
mense amount of stores which had ac- 
cumulated at Atlanta and at the other 
stations along the railroad; and Gen. 
Steedman had come down to Kingston 
to take charge of the final evacua- 
tion and withdrawal of the several 
garrisons below Chattanooga. (Enter 
another "villain!" — Author.) 

On the 10th of November the move- 
ment may be said to have fairly be- 
gun. All the troops designed for the 
campaign were ordered to march for 
Atlanta, and Gen. Corse, before eva- 
cuating his post at Rome, was order- 
ed to burn all the mills, factories, etc., 
etc., that could be useful to the enemy 
should he undertake to pursue us or 
resume military possession of the 
country. This was done on the night 
of the 10th and next day Corse reach- 
ed Kingston. Maj. Gen. Jefferson 
Davis commanded the 14th Corps of 
the left wing, and Corse a division of 
the 15th Corps. 

On the 12th, with a full staff, I 
started from Kingston for Atlanta, 
and about noon of that day we reach- 
ed Cartersville and sat on the edge 
of a porch to rest, when the telegraph 
operator, Mr. Van Valkenburg, or Ed- 
dy, got the wire down from the poles 
to his lap, in which he held a small 
pocket instrument. Calling "Chatta- 
nooga," he received a message from 
Gen. Thomas. 

Gen. Sherman records that just 
after the message from Gen. 
Thomas had come, and he had an- 



sv^ered "Dispatch received — all 
right," some of the marchers burnt 
a bridge, which severed the tele- 
graph wire and cut all communi- 
cation with the rear. 

As we rode on toward Atlanta that 
night, I remember the railroad trains 
going to the rear with a furious speed; 
the engineers and the few men about 
the trains waving us an affectionate 
adieu. It surely was a strange event 
— two hostile armies marching in op- 
posite directions, each in the full be- 
lief that it was achieving a final and 
conclusive result in a gi-eat war; and 
I was strongly inspired with the feel- 
ing that the movement on our part 
was a direct attack upon the rebel 
army and the rebel capital at Rich- 
mond, though a full thousand miles of 
hostile country intervened, and that, 
for better or worse, it would end the 
war. 

Thus started the ruthless cru- 
sade of this modern Attila the 
Hun, in which all rules of war 
touching the destruction of prop- 
erty and the treatment of human 
beings in the broad swath of war 
were suspended. Thus did Wm. 
Tecumseh Sherman write his name 
in fire and blood across the pages 
of Georgia history ; justified, as 
be claimed, by the objects in view, 
but indelibly, as Georgians of to- 
day still attest. 




196 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A NOTED SCHOOLHOUSE AND SEVEN DWELLINGS. 

At top, left, is No. 6 E. Ninth Avenue, where Prof. Hay Watson Smith, brother of Dr. 
Henry Louis Smith, president of Washington and Lee University, taught school. Next is the 
old Hines Smith home; the homes of W. H. Pickling, Mather D. Daniel, Ed L. Bosworth, J. P. 
Malone, Dr. J. D. Moreland and Mrs. Martha Battey, follow from left to right. 



CHAPTER VII. 
Extreme Desolation Pictured in Diary 



T 



HE Rome Chapter (jf the 
United Daughters of the 
Confederacy has preserved 
in its archives a choice lit- 
erary morsel in the form of ex- 
tracts from the diary of Reuben S. 
Norton, which was placed at its 
disposal by Mrs. Wm. M. Towers, 
his only daughter, and which sheds 
a flood of light on the dark days 
between September, 1863, and the 
Confederate surrender in April, 
1865. These extracts follow: 

Mary Noi-ton, then twelve years of 
age, was sent with friends of the fam- 
ily in 1863 to points of safety farther 
South, but her mother and I decided 
to remain in Rome and meet whatever 
fate might befall us. 

The autumn of 1863 found our citi- 
zens in a great condition of uneasiness 
because raiding parties had moved on 
Rome from various directions; and so 
the people began sending their fam- 
ines and negroes to safer places. 
Heavy reinforcements came in from 
Virginia and Mississippi, but as the 
Yankees were now in possession of 
Chattanooga, the worst was feared for 
Rome. In October, 1863, the com- 
mands of Gens. Walker and Grist 
passed through Rome, and having no 
means of transportation, impressed all 
the wagons and teams they could find 
v/ithin ten miles, leaving the people 
with no stock to make a crop. Such 
were the terrible straits to which our 
army was reduced at the time. 

On Dec. 8, 1863, all the government 
hospitals were removed from Rome. 
The people realized the town would 
soon be in the hands of the enemy, and 
numerous families left every day. Pro- 
visions were exceedingly high and 
scai'ce, and were preferred to money 
in all trading. Conditions grew stead- 
ily worse in January, 1864. All the 
schools were closed, and the Rome Fe- 
male College was moved away by the 
Caldwells. 

Four months later, on May 17, our 
forces began to evacuate the town to 
escape the heavy cannonading. About 
dark the men in gray drew into the 
town and began to move out. Think- 
ing the enemy would capture the 
available stores, clothing and food- 



stuffs, they carried off whatever they 
could. Several Texas regiments sack- 
ed the stores of about $150,000 in cit- 
izens' property. 

Early on the morning of May 18 
our men burned the Oostanaula River 
bridge. The Etowah bridge had also 
been burned. About 11 o'clock the 
Yankees pushed their outposts into 
town, but our battery on Myrtle Hill 
continued to fire throughout the day. 
The town was now at the mercy of 
the invaders, who started burning 
houses and making themselves com- 
fortable. Certain wooden structures 
were torn down so the lumber could 
be used to make temporary shacks for 
the Union soldiers. The home of Dr. 
Hicks in DeSoto (now the Fourth 
Ward) was burned because it was 
charged Mrs. Hicks had insulted 
Streight's men when they were 
brought in the year before as prison- 
ers by Gen. Forrest. Mrs. Choice's 
home also went up in smoke, and the 
family had a narrow escape. Several 
attempts were made to burn the Nor- 
ton home and barn, but the fire was 
put out each time. Many more fam- 
ilies left town in haste and confusion. 
Pillaging day and night was common. 
The Confederates were scattered 
through the country, and Yankee 
wagon trains on foraging expeditions 
were handled roughly. Scores of ne- 
groes were sent North by the Union 
army leaders; they were not only of 
no help to our people, but in the way. 
Free transportation North was given 
such people as wished to go, and a 
few took advantage of the opportu- 
nity; I think there were eight or ten, 
whom we could well spare. 

Homes were quickly turned into hos- 
pitals. Only three male members of 
the Presbyterian church were left: 
Nicholas J. Omberg, H. G. Peter and 
myself. The authorities took up the 
carpets of the church, and moved the 
furniture and prayer books; pews were 
removed and used to float pontoon 
bridges across the rivers. The First 
Presbyterian was used as a store 
house. The Methodist church was fill- 
ed with ammunition and the Baptist 
and Episcopal structures were con- 
verted into hospitals. 

A provost marshal's establishment 
was set up, and the civilians were vir- 
tually prisoners. No mails were re- 



198 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



ceived or sent, and no person could 
pass the lines going or coming with- 
out a permit. Thus four dreary 
months passed. 

On Sept. 18 the Confederates fired 
on the Yankees on the Cave Spring 
road, killing eight or ten and wound- 
ing others. The Federals, fearing a 
surprise attack, dug additional rifle 
pits. The people, in the meantime, 
remained in their homes as much as 
possible.* They were moved about, as 
their d\ filings were needed for mili- 
tary purposes. They lived on what- 
ever they could hide out; sometimes 
cooked for the enemy and thus fed 
themselves. Miss Joe Stewart (later 
Mrs. J. A. Stansbury) told how she 
penned up a lot of chickens in her 
basement, and how their feathers were 
missing when they were finally turned 
out after the departure of the enemy. 

Oct. 29 was noteworthy as the date 
Gen. Sherman and his staff came into 
town. They entered at night. On 
Nov. 10 at 5 a. m. it became evident 
that the invaders were preparing to 
evacuate, for they started burning the 
places of military value. Several ad- 
ditional citizens went North. The last 
of the Federals left at 9 o'clock, a. m., 
Nov. 11, 1864, and they destroyed such 
stores as they could not take along. 
Two days later there was not a sol- 
dier of either army to be seen. The 
streets were entirely deserted. Every- 
thing was as still and quiet as if no 
war were in progress. The business 
section was dead; only a little drug 
store was left, and that kept by Dr. 
J. H. Nowlin. The 40 men left be- 
hind organized a patrol force for the 
protection of their homes. They were 
as follows: 

A. Tabor Hardin, postmaster; Dr- 
J. H. Nowlin, Geo. P. Burnett, mayor; 
Jas. Lumpkin, Wm. Quinn, A. M. 
Kerr, Lewis D. Burwell, Terrence Mc- 
Guire, Jesse Lamberth, M. Marks, 
Green Stewart, S. G. Wells, C. W. 
Mills, Reuben S. Norton, John De- 
Journett, Nicholas J. Omberg, Peter 
Omberg, Wm. Lumpkin, Solomon Mc- 
Kenzie, Jas. Langston, Jas. Noble, Sr., 
J. G. Dailey, A. P. Neal, Ben Thorn- 
ton, Lee Lumpkin, 0. Wiley Harbin, 
Logan Graves, Peter M. Sheibley, C. 
H. Morefield, John B. Jenkins, Dr. 
Wm. Farell, Jno. T. Riley, Jas. Lee, 
Joe Norris, Dr. Brown, Mr. Porter, 
Mr. McGinnis, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Raw- 
lins, Mr. Galceren. 

Of these, Judge Burwell, Mr. Quinn 
and Mr. Lee were unable to bear arms. 
The ages of the men left were 18 to 
70. Among the women who remained 



at home might be mentioned Mrs. Liz- 
zie Roach Hughes, Mrs. J. M. Greg- 
ory, Mrs. Robt. Battey, Mrs. John 
Choice, Mrs. Peter M. Sheibley and 
Mrs. R. S. Norton. 

Different sections were assigned to 
the civilian guard. Mr. Omberg and 
Mr. McGuire were on duty in the 
Broad Street neighborhood north of 
the Buena Vista hotel (Sixth Avenue). 
Early one night they heard the shrill 
voice of a woman, calling for help. 
They rushed forward and discovered 
it was old Mrs. Quinn. Before they 
reached her, a ruffian of a Scout band 
held them up at the point of a pis- 
tol. Another ruffian placed them un- 
der guard. Conversation between the 
two robbers revealed that they had 
been hanging Mr. Quinn by the neck 
to make him give up money and val- 
uables. He surrendered what he had, 
so they did not kill him. Mr. Mc- 
Guire and Mr. Omberg were ordered 
to follow the gang leaders, who would 
'fix them' out of town. The two ran 
for their lives. A dozen shots were 
fired at them, one taking effect in 
Mr. Omberg's leg. Mr. Oinberg's wife 
was dead, and he and his children were 
living with his sister-in-law, Mrs. 
Thos. J. Perry. Mrs. Perry was in 
her yard when she discovered Mr. 
Omberg coming up lamely with his 
hat in his hand, and without a weapon. 
He told her he thought he was done 
for, and begged her to hide him, for 
he knew the marauders would follow. 
She got him upstairs into an attic** 
and ran to the nearest neighbor's to 
get aid for him. The neighbors were 
afraid to venture out, so Mrs. Perry 
returned to the sufferer and did the 
best she could.*** Later she went to 
the home of her neighbors and implored 
them to go for Dr. Nowlin. The doc- 

*This probably refers to an ambuscade at the 
Hawkins place, on the Lindale road one mile 
north of Lindale, by Colquitt's Scouts. Some 25 
wagons manned by soldiers and drawn by 
horses and mules were held up by fire from the 
bushes. The beasts broke into a wild stampede, 
several overturning the wagons. Colquitt's, men 
escaped into the hills. Gen. Jno. M. Corse, com- 
manding at Rome, sent ambulances out and 
brought in the wounded, several of whom had 
been taken into the home of Mrs. Tom Hawkins 
and given first aid. Gen. Corse held Mrs. Haw- 
kins, her absent husband and her father, Roland 
Bryant, responsible for the attack, and burned 
her home while she looked on. 

**Some say it was a hay loft. 

***Judge John C. Printup is authority for the 
statement that Mr. Omberg was shot near 
Eighth Avenue and Broad Street, and died at 
the home of his brother-in-law, Thos. J. Perry, 
at the northwest corner of Eighth Avenue and 
E. First Street. It is generally accepted that this 
job was done by Colquitt's Scouts, and it is 
said that several young men of Rome were 
recognized in the crowd. Mrs. Judge Jno. H. 
Lumpkin was also robbed. 



Extreme Desolation Pictured in Diary 



199 



tor finally came, but could do little, 
and Mr. Omberg died about 9 the next 
morning. 

Getting him buried was just as dif- 
ficult. Everybody stayed cooped up 
in their homes for fear of being shot 
down by a hidden foe. Presently the 
men ventured forth, made a coffin out 
of pine boards and laid him away. 

Judge Burwell and Mr. Cohen were 
hung up until they agreed to hand 
over their valuables.* 

These robbers were deserters from 
both armies, and they banded together 
to prey upon defenseless citizens. They 
committed many atrocities in the coun- 
try, but did not come to Rome again. 

The steamboat (probably the Laura 
Moore) arrived from Gadsden to see 
how things were getting along at 
Rome, but went back the next day. 
Many country people came to town 
to avoid the Scouts; they crossed the 
rivers in batteaux. 

Postmaster Hardin arranged to get 
mail through the country in a buggy, 
and gradually the people began to cir- 
cumvent Sherman's army and to re- 
turn home. After the final surrender, 
the refugees came in large numbers 
and turned willing hands to the res- 
toration of their premises and their 
fortunes. Rome cotton that had been 
hid out was brought to town and 
made a little trade; it brought 25 to 
30 cents in greenback. 

On May 13, 1865, the condition of 
affairs was dreadful; negroes trouble- 
some, food scarce, very little specie in 
the country. Not a yard of cloth could 
be bought. There were no shoes, no 
groceries, no anything except a few 
drugs at Dr. Nowlin's, and they could 
not be eaten. All was used up, wast- 
ed away. That our people rose above 
these conditions is a splendid tribute 
to their stamina and light-heartedness. 

The Federal authorities came into 
Rome on June 20, 1865, and announced 
to Mayor Jas. Noble, Jr., that his of- 
fice was vacant and the town was un- 
der military rule. The Freedmen's 
Bureau was established with Capt. C. 
A de la Mesa in charge, and thus 
began the rule of the carpetbagger, 
under which our people endured life 
calmly until their country was once 
more restored to their keeping. 

The following' letter, sent from 
Rome Nov. 17- 1864, (one day aft- 
er Sherman started his March to 
the Sea from Atlanta), by Mrs. 

*Mr. Cohen's people deny he was hung up ; 

he may have been forced to give over his money. 



Robert Battey to her husband, 
then presumably at Selma, Ala., 
contains a graphic description of 
the privations endured by the few- 
people left at home : 

My Darling: I have just received 
your letter from Selma. I am so 
sorry that you could not come home 
for a few days. I feel as if you are 
so far from me now; it may be a long 
time before I see you again, if ever. 
I'm feeling sad tonight. I have had 
a hard time for the last two months. 
The negroes all left me and went to 
the Yankees, and when the Yankees 
left, the negroes all had to "foot it" to 
Kingston, Aunt Cheney carrying her 
clothes and Belle the baby; Bill car- 
rying himself the best he could. Pagey 
got along very well, but old Mary had 
a hard time walking so far and by the 
time they reached Kingston they were 
sick of the Yankees and turned and 
came home. 

Two miles this side of Kingston a 
man took Belle and carried her to his 
home. Day before yesterday the ne- 
groes all returned except Belle. I 
heard that she was at Mr. Sheibley's 
place, so Mr. Sheibley went up, found 
her and brought her home today. Now 




m 


i 


i' 




jg 


^^^^1 


■ 


r 


i , 


— a 



MRS. WILLIAM SMITH (later Mrs. Anderson 
W. Redding, of Jamestown, Lee County, 
Ga.), mother of Mrs. Robert Battey. 



200 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



I have them all home. They lost all 
their bedding and clothing. They have 
treated me very badly, left me sick; 
Bessie to nurse; cows to milk, cook- 
ing to do, washing and everything 
else. No one to help but George. We 
had a hard time. 

Willie went with Mrs. Hawkins to 
Columbus. I look for them back Sun- 
day. I need him very much. We 
have no wood, and no one to get it 
for me. My fences are all gone. You 
would not know our home. 

I was ready to go South when Mr. 
Maupin came home. He told me that 
you thought it best for me to stay at 
home, even if I had to live in one side 
of the house and burn the other, so I 
concluded to stay. I had no one to 
help me out with my children. I felt 
that I could not carry Bessie, so I 
hope it vdll all be for the best. 

I don't know how the negroes will 
treat me when I take to my bed. I 
miss poor old Coyle. I wrote you that 
he was dead. He died two or three 
months ago. 

Should I ever see you I will tell 
you what I have to go through. Don't 
have too much confidence in all of the 
negroes; some of them are mean. 

The Yankees are gone, I hear, to 
Macon. They have 60 days' rations. 
I fear we have no force there, and am 
so anxious to know what they are go- 
ing to do. I feel more discouraged now 
than I ever have before. 

Our people are doing so badly. They 
are in here robbing and killing. They 
robbed old Mr. Burwell a few nights 
ago, and again last night they hung 
him until he was almost dead, for his 
money. They have it all now. They 
killed Mr. N. J. Omberg last. He was 
out in the yard, he and Mr. McGuire, 
and they heard somebody cry out, and 
ran to old Mrs. Quinn, and found they 
were hanging Mr. Quinn. They met 
Mr. Omberg and he asked them who 
they were. They replied, "Friends." 
Mr. Omberg put down his gun and 
they walked up to him and took all 
his greenbacks, then shot him. He 
lived until today. They robbed Mrs. 
Lumpkin of everything she had, and 
Peter Omberg, too. I look for them 
all night. 

I don't undress for fear they will 
come. I have no money for them to 
get, and hope they will spare me. 
Such a life to lead! No rest night or 
day! I had expected that when the 
Yankees left I would get to sleep some 
at night, but it is worse than ever. 
You don't know anything about it. 



The night the town was burned I 
was all alone, except for my little chil- 
dren. I can not describe my feelings. 
I did not know what to do, so I went 
to washing, and washed two or three 
dozen pieces. I had not had any done 
for four weeks. I passed the night 
away somehow and am still alive. But 
I must not write you all these things. 
I hope you will excuse me, as I can 
not think of anything else. 

Dear Grace, I am glad to hear she 
is well and wish so much I had her 
with me. The poor child would not 
feel at home here now; everything is 
so changed. I wall write her tonight. 
She had better come home if I stay 
here. Oh, how I long to see you, to be 
near one who feels an interest in me! 
I don't know what I will do while I 
am sick, but I hope that you will be 
here or that something may happen 
to help me. 

Don't bother about money; if you 
can't get it you can do without it. I 
owe some greenback, but they will 
have to wait for it. I have tried to get 
along the best I could since you left. 

The children are all well. Little 
Bessie is well, but cannot walk; I feel 
very anxious about her and fear she 
never will. Reddy looks delicate, but 
keeps up and is a good little thing. 
George, Mary and Henry are well and 
help me all they can. They want to 
see their dear father very much. 

Mr. Norton and family are well. 
Aunt Cooley is not in good health. 
Georgia and Mary are well. Where is 
Mrs. Stillwell? I heard from Bailie; 
he was well but needed money. He 
wrote Mr. Moore for some. I sent 
him $5, all I had, but don't know 
whether he got it or not. I would 
write to Mrs. Stillwell if I knew 
where to write. Mrs. Lee and children 
are well. Some of their negroes are 
gone — old Annie, Richmond and Hay- 
good. Jack's wife has not gone. She 
had a baby and is doing well. I hope 
Mrs. Graves will get home soon now. 

I might write you a more interest- 
ing letter and tell you how I fared 
with the new commander we had here. 
I will write again when I feel more 
cheerful. I will finish this in the 
morning. 

Your devoted wife, 

M. BATTEY. 

Mrs. Naomi P. Bale (Rome's 
venerated "Grandma Georgy"), 
tells in a contribution to the U. 
D. C. this graphic story of war 



Extreme Desolation Pictured in Diary 



201 



trials and tribulations in Dirttown 
Valley, Chattooga County, about 
fifteen miles from Rome: 

The first real sorrow that came to 
me during the Civil War was when 
my only brother was brought back 
home in his coffin from Cumberland 
Gap, Tenn., Dec. 1, 1862. It had never 
occurred to me that his home-coming 
would be so sad, that with my dear 
old father, whose life was bound up 
in his promising son, and whose heart 
never recovered from this stroke, and 
with the broken-hearted young widow 
and the five little children, I would 
stand beside the form of a strong- 
young soldier, cut down in the hey- 
day of his youth. 

Nearer and darker grew the war 
cloud in 1863. Marching and coun- 
ter-marching was the order of the day. 
Wheeler's and Forrest's cavalries 
dashed in and out of our quiet little 
Dii'ttown Valley. Thousands of cav- 
alry camped on my father's extensive 
plantation; the commanding officers 
quartered in our home, and often sat 
at our table. 

In the latter part of the summer of 
1863 nearly every family of promi- 
nence in our neighborhood refugeed. On 
Sept. 20 and 21, 1863, the thunders 
of artillery from Chickamauga battle- 
field startled us, and from then until 
the capture of Kennesaw mountain 
the roar of cannon reverberated over 
this section of Georgia day and night. 
Then came the lull before the storm. 
For six long weeks everybody in our 
neighborhood kept close at home; not 
a human outside our own family did I 
see, save my step-brother-in-law as he 
passed twice a day going to and from 
his mill. 

One bright moonlight night I was 
awakened by a low, rumbling sound; 
the sound came nearer and nearer 
until I recognized the hoof beats of 
cavalry. In a short time the noise 
increased and I heard the command, 
"Halt!" given. Instantly the quiet 
became intense. I raised up in bed 
and peered through my window. The 
whole front grove seemed full of 
mounted soldiers, whether friend or 
foe I could not tell. In a few moments 
a trim, soldierly fellow rapped loudly 
on the front door. I threw up a win- 
dow and asked, "Who knocks?" He 
replied, "I am Capt. Harvey, of Mis- 
sissippi, and I have been ordered by 
Gen. Johnston to his rear to tear up 
the railroad between Chattanooga and 
Kingston. I am here in command of 
100 men. We have ridden 100 miles 



out of our way just to forage on 
Wesley Shropshire's farm." 

In the meantime, my father remain- 
ed in his room listening to the con- 
versation. His life had been threat- 
ened often, and for this reason we 
never allowed him to appear at the 
front door until some of the family 
had first reconnoitered. I said to the 
captain, "Step out into the moonlight 
and let me see your uniform." He 
jumped lightly over the bannisters 
and jocularly remarked, "Are you sat- 
isfied?" I made him promise on his 
honor as a soldier and a gentleman 
that my father should suffer no vio- 
lence from him or his men. He sol- 
emnly gave his word, and I then di- 
rected him to a window in my father's 
room. He and father had quite a 
chat; he gave father several Confed- 
erate newspapers and father presented 
him with a number of Northern pa- 
pers that a neighbor had secured in 
Chattanooga. Father then directed 
Capt. Harvey where he could find corn 
and fodder for his horses. 

Capt. Harvey and his command re- 
mained in our neighborhood six weeks 
or more, raiding the railroads up about 
Ringgold and Dalton, and capturing 
many Federal prisoners, many of 
whom f^uld net sreak a word of Eng- 




REV. G. A. NUNNALLY, Baptist minister 
who once ran for Governor of Georgia on 
a liquor prohibition platform. 



202 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



lish intelligibly — these were foreign- 
ers imported by wealthy Northerners 
as substitutes in the Federal army. 
The prisoners were taken to Cedar 
Bluff, Ala., and as a member of Capt. 
Hai-vey's command told me, "were lost 
in the Coosa river." 

I can say that Capt. Harvey was a 
gentleman, and we suffered no violence 
from him or his command. He was 
very fond of music and liked to play 
whist, and was a frequent guest in 
our house. Thus he whiled away his 
time with my step-sister and myself. 
Once when I sang "The Officer's Fu- 
neral," he leaned his head on the table 
and sobbed aloud. He begged me to 
overlook his apparent weakness, for 
he had a wife and a little boy in Mis- 
sissippi, and the chances were he 
would never see them again. 

On Sept. 15, 1864, we met a different 
band of men. These were the "Inde- 
pendent Scouts." Yes, write the name 
in blood, drape it with the pall of 
death, trace it with fire, and then you 
cannot conceive the full meaning of 
the term. A horde of these marauders 
made their camp in our neighborhood, 
committing the most outrageous atroci- 
ties on old and feeble men. A gang 
of perhaps a dozen came to our home, 
and took everything they could carry 
away. Before leaving they laid violent 




MAX MEYERHARDT, once judge of the City 
Court and for many years prominent in 
Masonic and civic affairs of Rome. 



hands on my father, swearing he 
should be hung unless he gave them 
money, either gold or silver. A rope 
was thrown over his head, and with 
an oath one of them started to drag 
him off to a limb. I threw up my 
hands and begged for my father's life 
with all the fervor of a pent-up soul, 
assuring them he had no specie. The 
ring-leader looked me steadily in the 
face and said, "I believe you are tell- 
ing the truth." I answered, "On my 
honor as a lady, as sure as there is a 
God, I am!" "The rope was removed 
from my father's neck, the leader re- 
marking, "Old man, you owe your life 
to your daughter; but for her we 
would have hung you as high as Ha- 
maan." 

On Oct. 10 and 12 Hood's weary 
horde appeared and passed in hot re- 
treat. It was ragged, worn, foot-soi-e 
and dejected in spirit. Yet they plod- 
ded on their weary march, some bare- 
foot, others with raw-hide tied over 
their bleeding feet. "Lost Cause" was 
stamped on every face. I knew then 
the Confederacy was doomed. 

On Oct. 14 and 15 the center of 
Sherman's army passed, following 
Hood. I think this part was com- 
manded by Gens. Slocum and Frank 
Blair. What the "Scouts" left was 
appropriated by the Federals. Again 
our home was pillaged from founda- 
tion to attic. Large army wagons 
were loaded to the brim with corn, 
fodder and wheat; cows and hogs were 
driven off or shot, smoke houses strip- 
ped, pantries cleaned of every mova- 
ble article, and such as could not be 
carried off was broken or damaged. 
The negroes huddled together in their 
houses, like sheep among wolves, 
scared out of their wits and fright- 
ened almost white. 

P'ather and several neighbors had 
left a few days before for Blue Moun- 
tain, Ala., to procure salt, all of this 
commodity having been exhausted 
some time before from the smoke 
houses. My step-mother, a woman of 
unusual courage, was so prostrated 
with fear that she took to her bed. 
Thus I again had to run the household. 
Capt. Hall, of Kentucky, kept guard 
over us for four hours, and after he 
left we were at the mercy of "wagon 
dogs." Three of these prowlers shut 
my step-sister, Em White, and myself 
in a room, swearing they would 
search us. Em collapsed in a large 
rocking chair. One of the marauders 
stood with his back to the door, while 
another ransacked bureau drawers, 
wardrobes, turned up the mattress, 



Extreme Desolation Pictured in Diary 



203 



etc. I engaged the third in conversa- 
tion, holding in my hand a heavy 
wrought iron poker, with which I oc- 
casionally poked the fire, but really 
kept in readiness to give the fellow 
a whack if he dared lay hands on me. 
That "dog" never made a movement 
to touch me, although he said he had 
"stripped mjany as damned good- 
looking women as I was and searched 
them." One jerked Em from the 
rocker and pretended that he would 
strip her. I begged for her and he 
let her go. They left very much dis- 
appointed that they found little of 
value. 

Hoop skirts were in vogue then, and 
so were full skirts. I had several 
thousand dollars in Confederate money 
in a bustle around my waist, and my 
small amount of jewelry and a few 
keepsakes in huge pockets under my 
hoops. Em had her jewelry and sil- 
ver forks and spoons in pockets under 
her hoop. 

After the Federals had passed, des- 
olation was writ throughout the val- 
ley. For three weeks a hundred in 
our family (including slaves) literally 
lived from hand to mouth. We picked 
up scraps of potatoes left in the fields, 
small scattered turnips and meat from 

*Judge John W. Maddox declared in a speech 
early in 1921 at the City Auditorium that all 
the Yankees left in Chattooga County was a 
broken-down steer that was not fit to be eaten 
by man or beast. 

**Mr. Lincoln's proclamation was issued in 
1863, but news of it evidently hadn't reached 
Georgia. 



the carcasses left by the Yankees and 
dragged in by the negroes. The new 
corn left was sufficiently soft to be 
grated on graters constructed from 
mutilated tinware.* 

Oh, those were strenuous, perilous 
times. I will say in justice to our 
faithful slaves that only four left us; 
they stood by us nobly until my father 
came in from Rome and announced 
that Lee had surrendered. My father 
called them all up and told them they 
were all free.** He employed some; 
others "spread wing." None went 
away empty-handed. Father helped 
them to the extent of his ability. 

When Gen. Lee furled the Stars and 
Bars, sheathed his sword and shook 
hands with Gen. Grant, I did the same 
and on that day I buried every feeling 
of animosity, never to resurrect the 
dead past. With thousands of other 
Southern women I had my baptism of 
fire and blood that tears cannot efface. 

Standing on this mountain-top of 
three-score and eleven years (she is 
now well around 80), and looking back 
through the vista of time, I see how 
lovingly my Heavenly Father led me 

"Sometimes through scenes of deepest 

gloom. 
Sometimes through bowers of Eden 

bloom." 

I exclaim with the Psalmist, "Bless 
the Lord, O mv soul, and forget not 
all His benefits!" 




204 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




PRESENT-DAY ROMANS IN STRIKING ATTITUDES 

1— Rev. J. E. Sammons. 2— E. E. Lindsey. 3— Rev. H. F. Saumenig. 4— W. C. Rash. 
5— Rev E F. Dempsey. 6— F. W. Copeland. 7 (Top)— Judge Moses Wright, addressing Easter 
crowd, Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Sunday, March 26, 1921. 8— B. F. Quigg. 9— Mrs^ ^^"w: 
Troutman. 10— Wm. A. Patton. 11— Mrs. Robt. Battey at 90. 12— Young folk in Washington s 
Birthday fete. 13— Virgil A. Stewart. 14 — Miss Lilly Mitchell. 15— Miss Martha Berry. 

16 E. P. Treadaway. 17 — Miss Marion Moultrie. 18 — Burnett Norton. 19 — Miss Helen Knox 

Spain. 



CHAPTER VIII. 
Depredations of the Independent Scouts 



VlARIOUS roving bands, or- 
ganized for good purposes 
g^^ and bad, added substantial- 
* ly to tbe misery which hov- 
ered like a spectre over the people 
at the close of the Civil War. Pri- 
marily, these bands separated 
themselves from the main body of 
the Confederate forces in order to 
impede the progress of the Union 
troops (or they were cut off), and 
to this extent their existence was 
justified. Parts of the forces of 
Gen. Johnston and Gen. Hood had 
been forced steadily back into 
Georgia by the driving power of 
Sherman's army, and they never 
rejoined their regular commands, 
but carried on a bushwhacking 
campaign from the hills. As long 
as opposition to the invaders re- 
mained their object, they acquitted 
themselves with bravery and 
credit, but once the Union army 
had passed, certain of these bands 
fell behind and plundered the coun- 
tryside ; they stole, destroyed and 
murdered, and for a time the peo- 
ple were completel}' at their mer- 
cy. ^ 

These organizations were usu- 
ally made up of horsemen, 30 to 
50 in number. Excellent riders 
they were, and well heeled. They 
had a rather definite range, but 
no particular headquarters. When 
the men became hungry, they 
would swoop down upon a plan- 
tation or small house and take 
Vxhat they could find ; the}- were 
always looking for saddles and 
riding boots as well as money and 
food. Sometimes they paid for 
things a])prr)])riatcd, 1)Ut this was 
not often. 

Now and then the scout organi- 
zations clashed with each other 
to determine which crowd should 
subsist on a certain section. As a 



general rule, however, they were 
content to prey upon the defense- 
less. 

In the "up counties" near the 
Tennessee line, perhaps the best- 
known gang was Gatewood's 
Scouts, organized and led by John 
Gatewood, of Tennessee, assisted 
bv his brother, Henry Gatewood, 
who kept the books ctnd accounts 
of the company. John Gatewood 
was an illiterate mountaineer 
whose red hair fell In long fronds 
down his back, like Daniel Boone 
and David Crockett ; and when he 
wished to escape detection in a 
daring dash, he would cram his 
locks into the crown of his soft 
felt hat. He Avas a man of won- 
derful physique, tall and angular, 
with the fire of Vulcan in his eye ; 
and it used to be said that while 
galloping on his horse he could 
shoot a partridge off a rail fence 
with his pistol in either hand. His 
reason for taking the saddle inde- 
pendently against the Union men 
was that they had killed his old 
father in Tennessee, and he was 
pledged to vengeance. After the 
Federals had left, however, his men 
terrorized the country from 
Gaylesville, Ala., as far northeast 
as LaFayette, Walker Co., Ga.. and 
touching Alpine, Summerville and 
Trion, Chattooga County, be- 
tween. It was undoulitedl}- Gate- 
wood's Scouts A\ho visited the 
Wesley Shropshire plantation in 
Dirttown Valley, Chattooga Coun- 
ty, Sept. 15, 1864; l)ut so far as is 
known they paid only one visit to 
Rome. 

John (latcwood had an Indian 
who looked after his horse. One 
day he sent the Indian to a grist 
mill near 'Prion, to have some corn 
gromid into meal. A band of 
scouts tavoral^le to the Union, led 



206 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



by John Long, killed this Indian 
by way of defying Gatewood. The 
challenge was accepted, and a 
pitched battle was fought near 
the spot at night. Later Long 
was convicted of killing Blev. Tay- 
lor in Alabama near Frix's Mill, 
McLemore's Cove, Chattooga Co., 
and died in an Alabama peniten- 
tiary camp near Wetumpka while 
serving a life sentence. 

Gatewood is said to have killed 
Green Cordle, another independent 
scout leader and a man of some 
years, in Walker County, after 
running him out of a house where 
he was enjoying a meal. It was 
Gatewood's policy tu exterminate 
the other leaders and bands wher- 
ever he could, but in several in- 
stances he found strong opposi- 
tion. His gang gradually broke up 
?nd he left Gaylesville on horse- 
back, riding over Lookout Moun- 
tain to Texas, where he established 
himself on a ranch. Maj. John T. 







WM. SMITH, one of the four founders of 
Rome, who contributed much to the young 
city's growth and progress. 



Burns, of Rome, state comptroller 
general in 1869, who also went to 
Texas, once ran across Gatewood 
after the war, and found him en- 
gaged in peaceful pursuits. 

Gatewood's Scouts participated 
in one of the most spectacular 
events of the war at Chattanooga, 
probably early in 1864. They rode 
boldly into the Northern army 
camp at night (this time with no 
less than 100 men) and stampeded 
and drove away 2,000 cattle and 
horses which they took to Gayles- 
ville and sold or turned over to the 
Confederate army. 

The scout band best known to 
Rome was that of Capt. Jack Col- 
quitt, a member of a Texas regi- 
ment who remained behind in 
1864 and married a daughter of 
Jerry Isbell, of Polk County, near 
Etna and Prior's Station. Its clash 
with the Prior boys and its daring 
incursion into Rome in November, 
1864, will long be remembered by 
the older Romans. Reference has 
already been made to the gang's 
murder of Nicholas J. Omberg and 
its hanging of Judge L. D. Bur- 
well and Wm. Quinn to make them 
give up their money and valua- 
bles ; also of its robbery of Mrs. 
Jno. H. Lumpkin and J. J. Cohen. 

Judge Burwell was keeping a 
(juantity of gold (said to have been 
at least $1,800) for a Jewish mer- 
chant named Wise, of the firm of 
Magnus & Wise. He was afflicted 
with some physical deformity that 
caused him to bend far forward 
when he walked, and the scouts 
told him if he didn't give up the 
gold they would "straighten him 
out." He didn't surrender it until 
the noose began to cut into his 
neck. They said "We've got 
Wise's gold ; now tell us where 
yours is, or we'll hang you up 
again." As it happened, Judge 
Burwell had entrusted $500 in gold 
to Mrs. Robt. Battey, who had put 
it in her stockings. When the scouts 



Depredations of the Independent Scouts 



207 



came to her house the same night, 
they stole a lot of small things, 
but did not get the money. They 
also intended to hang up James 
Noble, Sr., on Howard Street, but 
were scared off by the determined 
attitude of his daughters. 

There appear to be two versions 
as to what brought the Priors into 
conflict with Colquitt's Scouts, 
with such disastrous results to the 
latter. One says that Capt. Jack 
Colquitt was killed by the Priors 
in the presence of Hayden Prior, 
the father, near Prior's Station, 
because he had driven off some of 
the cattle of the family when he 
stocked the farm of his father-in- 
laAv, Jerry Tsbell. The other, more 
generally accepted, is that Col- 
quitt's men first killed Hayden 
Prior, better known as "Hayd" 
Prior, and the sons then took up 
the feud and accounted for seven 
of the scouts, including their 
leader. At any rate, Hayden 
was shot off his mule between Cave 
Spring and Prior's Station, and 
fell face forward into a branch 
where the animal was drinking. A 
brother of Capt. Jack Colquitt is 
supposed to have been in this am- 
bushing party, as well as the cap- 
tain himself. 

Capt. Colquitt was found one 
day in 1864 in Cedartown by the 
brothers, John T. and James M. 
Prior. He was in a grocery store, 
and pretty well loaded with mean 
liquor as well as his brace of pis- 
tols. The brothers took him by 
surprise and got his pistols away 
by covering him with their own. It 
was apparently their intention to 
put him under arrest and get him 
a trial, but he showed fight. 

"Gimme a chance with my gun 
and ril clean all of yer up, one at 
a time !" he roared, at the same 
instant drawing a long Bowie 
knife out of his right boot. 

Quick as lightning Jim Prior 
shot Colquitt over John's shoul- 



der, and the two pumped bullets 
into his chest until there were 
eight. John explained as follows 
to a friend and hunting companion 
some time later : 

"I was so close when I fired my 
first shot that I saw smoke come 
out of his mouth." 

The men in the store removed a 
ham and box of baking powder 
and stretched Capt. Jack Colquitt 
out on the counter. He wore a 
red-spotted calico shirt ; the white 
spots were now dyed deep in the 
red of his own blood. 

The Prior boys went quietly off 
and were not arrested, nor did they 
ever answer in court for taking 
seven scout scalps. They had 
sworn to exterminate the Colquitt 
eansf as a service to the commu- 
nity. 

John Prior Avas a man of iron 
will and nerves in a knotty bundle. 
He had little beady, black eyes 
that danced as he talked, and he 




JOS. L. BASS, merchant and promoter, who 
was head of the old dummy line at Rome 
and a constructive fo- ce in many ways. 



208 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



wasn't afraid of the devil. He was 
loyal to his friends and an impla- 
cable foe to his enemies. Men who 
hunted with him said he was the 
deadest shot for miles around ; he 
could lay his double-barreled shot- 
gun on the ground, flush a covey 
of partridges, pick up his gun and 
kill two every time. Jim was of 
more even temper, regular build, 
but he also took no foolishness 
from any man, and he contributed 
his part toward a genuine pair in 
those stormy days. 

The brothers quit the corn and 
cotton fields and hunted scouts. A 
man named Tracy and several oth- 
er friends joined them at various 
times. Tracy later went to Texas 
to live. The Priors came upon Col- 
cjuitt's Scouts in camp near Ball 
Play and Turkeytown, Etowah 
County, Ala., on the Coosa River; 
gave them a surprise at night and 
put them to flight. The scouts 
scattered and the Priors found 
two of them eating at a 
house by the road. John 
killed one as he hopped oft" the 
near end of the porch and the other 
as he left the far end. On their 
persons were found a number of 
$20 gold pieces (Wise's money cap- 
tured in November, 1864, at 
Rome) ; when things had quieted 
down John Prior sent one of these 
coins to New York and had a cav- 
alry battle engraved on the ob- 
verse side, and wore the trinket 
as a watch charm. 

Near Cave Spring the Priors 
came upon two scouts riding along 
the road. Surrender was de- 
manded. One young fellow held 
up his hands and came in. The 
other wheeled about, dug his spurs 
into the flanks of his horse and 
sped away like a flash. John was 
carrying the shotgun his father 
had used so long. As the fugitive 
turned a sharp curve in the road, 
he cracked down. It was impos- 
sil)le to tell the result, and the 



young captive said : 

"I believe you missed him." 

"We'll see," responded the 
marksman ; "if I missed him, PU 
turn you loose !" 

The poor devil was dying in the 
bushes ; his horse kept going. Sev- 
tral buckshot had entered the 
man's back, and several the base of 
the saddle. It is supposed, but not 
definitely known, that the fellow 
taken captive met a violent end. 

The next victim was a farmer 
of the neighborhood. John Prior 
walked up to this man's house and 
asked his wife where he was. The 
woman replied that he was plow- 
ing in the bottom. John went 
down there and told the farmer to 
unhitch his horse and send him in 
a canter to the house ; to say his 
prayers if he wanted to, because 
he was going to be killed. The man 
begged for his life ; he was re- 
minded that old man Prior was 
shown no mercy. A shot in the 
breast finished him. 

The hunter next heard that one 
of the marked men was living in 
the West, maybe Arkansas, maybe 
Texas. He went to the man's 
residence and executed his design. 
After living a while out there, 
Prior returned to Prior's Station, 
and later removed to the territory 
of Washington, on the Pacific 
coast, where he died. Jim died 
at his Prior Station home. 

A farmer named Ritchie, killed 
on the Carlier Springs road about 
five miles east of Rome, was 
charged up to Colquitt's Scouts. 
Isom Blevins, a young Texan, was 
killed at night by a Rome crowd 
at Flat Rock, where the Southern 
crosses the N., C. & St. L. (or 
Rome) Railroad. His boots and 
spurs were removed and his body 
was thrown some 50 feet off the 
bluff into the Etowah River. Sev- 
eral days days later the body was 
found lodged against a willow 
snag at the foot of Myrtle Hill 



Depredations of the Independent Scouts 



209 



cemetery, and was buried on the 
river bank. A scout, sometimes 
known as "The Lone Soldier," was 
waylaid . and killed on the Ala- 
bama Road between Coosa and 
Beech Creek, and lies buried on 
the Rogers place, near the road, 
about five miles west of Rome. The 
grave is surmounted by a head- 
stone, and residents of the neigh- 
borhood have kept it green for 57 
years, and have maintained around 
it a neat picket fence. 

In these fierce depredations 
Romans were reminded of the 
lawlessness of the Indian days ; 
and as if to answer their prayers, 
a local scout organization was 
formed by "Little Zach" Har- 
grove. Many people thought "Lit- 
tle Zach's" crowd would prove to 
be as bad as the test, but Horry 
Wimpee and others testify that it 
was organized for protective pur- 
poses, and did much to drive the 
camp - followers and deserters 
away. It was reported that "Little 
Zach" attracted the attention of 
John Gatewood, and that Gatewood 
brushed by Rome with an invita- 



tion to fight ; but the result is not 
known. 

The Ku Klux was also active 
soon after this period, especially 
around Coosa, so the anxiety of 
the civilian population, who were 
bent on making crops and a liv- 
ing, can well be imagined. One 
night the Ku Klux called on Prof. 
Peter M. Sheibley, a Northerner 
by birth and a non-combatant in 
the war. When Mr. Sheibley 
opened his front door, a wooden 
coffin fell into his arms. 

The political views of Judge Jno. 
W. H. Underwood caused the Ku 
Klux to play a gruesome joke on 
this sparkling humorist. A young 
fellow well disguised by a turned- 
up coat collar and a turned-down 
hat walked up to Judge Under- 
wood after dark and offered him 
a cordial greeting'. The extended 
hand was left with him, and it was 
made of wood ! 

Such incidents added a piquant 
touch to the lives of Romans, 
wrung the hearts of many, and 
brought a strong desire for peace, 
a helpful understanding and a con- 
structive program. 




210 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




WHEN MAN TAKES HIS PADDLE IN HAND. 

Batteau and canoe trips on the rivers of Rome afford endless pleasure. 



Dr. Hugh I. Bat- 



oe trips on the rivers oi ivonie emuiu ciim»*->j*» ^^.w— -— .-.^ ^^ - 

tey ol Atlanta, native son of Rome, here forgets incisions and bandages. His ' voyage . was taken 
in'^October. 1920, from Carter's Quarters. Murray County, down to Head of Coosa 05 m.les 

and was made leisurely in three nights and two days. He brought a string ot pearis 
Home-coming queen, Miss Penelope Stiles. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



ROSS-RIDGE FACTIONS FIGHT. 
— The following item from the Georgia 
Constitutionalist (Augusta) of Friday, 
Aug. 21, 1835, will give an idea of the 
feeling between the factions repre- 
sented by Ross and Ridge: 

More Indians Murdered. — The Cass- 
ville Pioneer of the 7th inst. says: 

"We have just learned of another 
murder having been committed in this 
country on the 3d of August, inst. The 
names of the Indians killed were Mur- 
phy and Duck. It occurred, we un- 
derstand, at an Indian dance on the 
Oostanaula river, where a considerable 
number of the town or clan had col- 
lected to enjoy the customary pastime. 

"Sometime within the night the In- 
dians murdered were seen standing 
conversing in apparent friendship. A 
few minutes later Murphy exclaimed 
that he was stabbed, and expired im- 
mediately. 

"Duck was heard to say at the time 
that there was but one other Ridge 
man on the ground, and that he would 
inherit the same fate if he did not 
leave the place instantly. 

"Duck was found dead on the en- 
suing morning, murdered, it is be- 
lieved, by the friends of Murphy. 
Neither man, it is thought, was drunk. 

"Is it not manifest from the many 
outrages of the kind that it is the set- 
tled determination of Ross' myrmidons 
to silence opposition by the knife of the 
assassin, and unless they are kept in 
awe by the Guard will go far to ex- 
ecute their hellish purpose?" 

In 1835 (or 1837) an atrocity that 
was typical of the others committed in 
the section occurred in Floyd County 
near the Polk line. The body of Eze- 
kiel Blatchford (or Braselton), a land 
trader from Hall County, was discov- 
ered in a lime sink; he had been mur- 
dered, it was believed. A single gold 
button was found on one of his coat 
sleeves, and it was of odd design, prob- 
ably having been worked out of a nug- 

*Authority : Hilliard Horry Wimpee. Virpil 
A. Stewart stated that the name of the In- 
dians' victim was White. Mrs. Robt. Battey 
stated his name was Braselton. The name Eze- 
kiel BuffinKton appears on the real estate rec- 
ords of that period at the courthouse. The name 
Blatchford waF taken from an account in 1889 
by Belle K. Abbott, written for The Atlanta 
Constitution. 

*'At Rome; Cherokee Indians, Congressional 
Documents (1835-6), Doc. 120, p. 593. 



get extracted by the wearer from a 
gold mine in Hall. With the button 
as a clue, the local authorities and 
friends of the deceased went to work. 
The police in Indian Territory arrest- 
ed two Indians wearing bottons similar 
to the one found on the sleeve. Bar- 
ney Swimmer and Terrapin were 
brought back to Rome, were given a 
fair trial at the old court house, found 
guilty of murder and sentenced by 
Judge Owen H. Kenan, of Newnan, to 
die by hanging. This was the first 
capital punishment meted out to In- 
dians in Floyd County, and it was a 
coincidence that a cousin of the mur- 
dered man, Wm. Smith, who was serv- 
ing temporarily as sheriff, should 
have met the duty of sending them to 
their happy hunting grounds. The 
hanging took place at a tree at Broad 
Street and Ninth Avenue, and was wit- 
nessed by practically everybody in the 
town, and by hundreds from the coun- 
ty. Several hours before the Indians 
were due to have been hung they re- 
quested permission to take a last swim 
where the Etowah and the Oostanaula 
join. This was the place they had often 
swum as boys. Judge Kenan granted 
the request, and a strong guard watch- 
ed them from the various banks. They 
thanked the court and the officers for 
the privilege, and went to their death 
with the courage of Stoics. It was 
said that Terrapin was full of whis- 
key during his trial and up to the time 
of his execution.* 



A LETTER FULL OF NEWS.— 
The following letter from Geo. M. 
Lavender, trading post man at Major 
Ridge's up the Oostanaula, gives a 
picture of pioneer life around Rome: 

='*Major Ridge's Ferry, May 3, 1836. 

Mr. John Ridge: 

Dear Sir: I have received but one 
letter from you since your departure, 
and that was received some time since 
and should have written you, but ex- 
pected, for some weeks back, that you 
were on your way home. I have con- 
cluded from the last letters received 
from you that you remain at Wash- 
ington some time yet. 

I have but little news of impor- 
tance to communicate to you. Mrs. 
Betsy Waitie, consort of Stand 
Waitie, Esq., died four or five days 
since from the delivery of a child. 



212 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



which also died, it is said. She had 
medical aid, but died under great af- 
flictions.* 

One of the emigrants, named Seek- 
atowwa,** of Hightown, was shot two 
or there weeks ago by a white man 
at a little whiskey shop, one mile from 
Artsellers or Dun Steers,*** said to 
be an accident; he is, however, dead 
and no more. 

Your family are all well and every- 
thing about your crop appears to be 
going on finely. Major Ridge's fam- 
ily are all well, and your mother is 
going on in her usual and fine way 
in making a crop, though frequently 
a little unwell, but no ways danger- 
ous. No person, except a Mr. Cox, 
has taken any of the cleared land; he 
has taken one-half of the long field 
on the west side of the river.**** 
She has lost none on the side we live. 

Our season for planting has been 
very bad, owing to so much rain; but 
all appears to be getting on vei-y well 
except the poor Cherokees, of which 
there is not a few who have been dis- 
possessed of their fields and dwellings, 
and turned out to seek refuge in Ala- 
bama and Tennessee, without any kind 
of support, moneyless and nothing to 
buy provisions. I know of a number 
of families destitute of provision, or 
money to buy it, and wandering and 
eating from them that has a little sub- 
sistence, and many of whom are emi- 
grants. The circumstance calls aloud 
on the authorities of Government for 
relief of these people. It seems im- 
possible for them to last through the 
season. Corn is scarce and worth $1 
per bushel by the quantity, cash; flour 
could now be had, and bacon at toler- 
able moderate prices. You can scarce 
have any idea of the suffering your 
Cherokee friends are now encounter- 
ing. Every week we have lots of men 
hunting stolen property, and smoke 
houses robbed of bacon, and every kind 
of stealing going on. 

Your friend Knitts, of Donehutta, 
received 120 lashes a few days ago, 
supposed to be concerned in robbing 
a smoke house; but I think he will 
be proved innocent. 

I see my Cherokee friends, emi- 
grants, within this vicinity every week, 
inquiring what is doing at Washing- 
ton, and trying to find out what will 
be done as regards their perilous sit- 
uation. 

Many families in our neighborhood 
would be glad to emigrate if the Gov- 
ernment would enable them to do so. 



Please give my respects to the Ma- 
jor and all your delegation. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
GEO. M. LAVENDER. 

(Note: Referred to the Indian Of- 
fice by Major Ridge.) 

* * * 

CAVE SPRING INDIANS.— Now 
and then a roving band of Creek In- 
dians would descend upon the newly- 
created Floyd County to fight or treat 
with their ancient foes, the Cherokees. 
It was probably in 1832 that a group 
of them pitched camp close to the white 
settlement at Cave Spring, prepared 
to go into a pow-wow the next day 
with their more intelligent neighbors, 
Avhose camp was situated not a great 
hark away. 

Among the old settlers living at 
Cave Spring then was William Smith, 
who removed to Rome two years later. 
Mr. Smith was away from home when 
the Creeks appeared, and his wife was 
badly frightened. The visitors look- 
ed so dark and villainous, and they 
crept about like snakes. When night 
came, Mrs. Smith gathered her baby 
Martha (Mrs. Robt. Battey) in her 
arms, and taking a negro nurse, stole 
out of the house into the underbrush, 
where, wrapped in shawls and an In- 
dian blanket, they spent thfs night. 
Mrs. Smith had feared the Creeks 
might break into her house during the 
night; they could be seen moving 
stealthily and keeping a close watch, 
but they attempted no outrage. 

Included in the Cherokees ac Cave 
Spring was a young fellow called Lit- 
tle Meat. He was in the habit of 
scaring wee Martha Smith now and 
then by appearing suddenly and grunt- 
ing "Ugh!" and at the same time lift- 
ing her up into his swarthy arms. He 
was a playful rascal and never meant 
any harm, but he nearly scared the lit- 
tle girl out of her wits many times. 
They called him Little Meat because 
he killed so many small birds and 
roasted them on a spit. 

The country was wild, sparsely set- 
tled, full of bad Indians and adventur- 
ous whites, a few soldiers at isolated 

'Should be Watie. 

**Sukatowie's enrollment number was 633. 
He was of the Chickamaugee district and voted 
with Ross at the Rome council. 

***Probably intended for Dirtseller's, Chat- 
tooga County. A map dated 1810, in the Car- 
negie Library at Atlanta, places Hightown 
between the rivers where Rome now is. "High- 
tower"' is probably a variation of "Hightown," 
and may have referred to an Indian signal 
station on the present Tower Hill. 

****Now part of the bottom land on the 
Linton A. Dean farm. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



213 



posts, and here and there a rough In- 
dian trail that sufficed for a road. 
As settlers came in they were chosen 
by mutual consent for certain duties. 
William Smith was usually in "saddle 
and boots," prospecting a mine down 
the Coosa, trading in land up the 
Oostanaula, attending court at Living- 
ston, hence acted as "sheriff" before 
the county machinery had been set up 
(and perhaps afterward). On one oc- 
casion an Indian charged with a se- 
rious offense was caught and brought 
to Cave Spring behind Mr. Smith with 
hands tied. They rode a horse. There 
was no secure place to keep the In- 
dian, so Mr. Smith lashed him with 
rope to a bed-post at the foot of the 
bed, after which Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
retired, and Mr. Smith slept soundly. 
Once several years later at the 
Forks Ferry, Rome, a sullen Indian 
provoked the wrath of Mr. Smith, who 
knocked the man unconscious with a 
heavy stick. The condition of the In- 
dian for a time was serious, and Mr. 
Smith, following the advice of friends 
that he should be careful of violence, 
went for a week to live with Philip W. 
Hemphill at the place now known as 
DeSoto Park. Most of the Indians were 
his friends, however, and they sent 
him word that no harm would come 
to him. 

David Vann, the sub-chief, was the 
most powerful member of his tribe 
around Cave Spring, and Vann's Val- 
ley was named after him. On July 
28, 1850, he was living temporarily 
at the Lake House, Cave Spring. He 
was very well educated and wrote a 
pleasing hand with occasional mis- 
spelt words, like most of the Indian 
leaders. He had two handsome, pleas- 
ant mannered sons called Cooey and 
Clem, who in 1851 were living in 
Grandsalem, Cherokee Nation, Arkan- 
sas, and about that time visited Dr. 
and Mrs. Robert Battey on Second 
Avenue on their way to a law school 
in Baltimore. Other sons were said 
to have been Augustus and Washing- 
ton. Under date of Aug. 27, 1850, Da- 
vid Vann wrote William Smith at 
Rome from Washington, D. C. : 

"Dear Sir: I wrote to you some 
time since informing you tiiat I would 
be glad to hear from you respecting 
our silver mine in Alabama, but have 
not yet received anything from you. 
Will you be kind enough to write me a 
few lines and let me know how you 
are getting along? I have determined 
to go that way when I leave here for 
home. I can not say when that will 
be. It may be some time in October. 



I have no idea that I can get away 
before Congress adjourns & there is 
no time set yet for the adjournment 
of Congress, though I will let you know 
before I leave when I will be at your 
house. I wrote a few lines to Major 
Richardson a few days ago requesting 
him to save me some peech seed from 
my old orchard (those large white 
peeches). I have no news but what 
you see in the papers. Mr. Clay has 
got back this morning. He has been 
absent ever since his Compromise bill 
was defeated. The Senate has passed 
all the measures that he had in his 
Compromise bill separately with very 
slight alterations. Give my respects 
to your family and accept for your- 
self my best wishes for your health 
and prosperity. 

Your friend and obt. svt., 

"DAVID VANN." 
(In haste.) 



Under date of July 28, 1850, Chief 
Vann wrote Mr. Smith from Washing- 
ton and stated that he was having 
some trouble getting his patent to 40 
acres of land containing the silver 
mine, and adding: 

"I presume the water is now low 
enough to examine the ford of the 




MONTGOMERY M. FOLSOM, clever writer of 
verse, in his rpfraliia as an officer of Cherokee 
Lodge 66 of Masons. 



214 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



creek. By looking in the ford you 
will find where old Campbell cut the 
hole in the rock and filled it up, and 
just below the ford he said there was 
a deep hole, evidently dug out by 
some person." 

Shortly after this the two, accom- 
panied by Col. Cunningham M. Pen- 
nington, of Rome, visited the mine on 
Sand river, but failed to find anything 
of special interest. 

From Rome, Feb. 2, 1851, Mr. Smith 
wrote David Vann at Grandsalem, 
Ark. : 

"My apology for delaying to write 
you before this time is hardly suffi- 
cient excuse. I have been run to death 
of daylight and so tired of nights that 
I have put it off from time to time, 
till I have got through with the bridge 
and have some leisure. 

"After you left Gunter's Landing, 
I went up to where they were to run 
their horse race; there I found all 
parties concerned in that lot we want- 
ed. I took Collins and fixed things 
with him to bring about the trade with 
D. A. Smith. He managed it as I di- 
rected it and I got the lot for $125 
cash. . , . Pennington is in high spirits, 
though he had very bad luck in the 
matter. He took some eight or ten 
pounds of the best ore we could get 
and took it to Washington, or I should 
have said started with it at Wilming- 
ton. He had his trunk stolen and lost 
his specimens and all his clothing and 
has never heard of them yet. He was 
on other business at Wa'shington and 
has just returned. We will consult 
as soon as this awful cold weather 
breaks and make a thorough examina- 
tion and write you immediately. There 
is great excitement about it. I give 
them no satisfaction. I shall take a 
good geologist with me, D. A. White, 
of Savannah; he I have seen and he is 
anxious to accompany us over there. 
I shall lie low; it miist count. I am 
in hopes you will be able to get the 
old man Campbell to come out with 
you soon. Don't count the expenses if 
you can prevail on him to come. It 
will do more good to have him here 
looking than anything. We must bare- 
ly let the people know he is here. 

"Well, I have no news to write you 
more than you have seen by the pa- 
pers. Georgia has killed the Disun- 
ionist in the South. Our Convention 
was composed of the best talent in 
Georgia; there were but 18 Disunion- 
ists in the convention out of nearly 
300 members. They have broken up 
all old party lines and left the Dis- 



unionists to themselves, with Colquitt 
and Towns to manage; they are dead 
letters in Georgia; you can't get one 
of them to talk about it. 

"What is to hinder Clem from com- 
ing? I think he would like to stay a 
year or two with us and read law 
with Judge Wright or Judge Under- 
wood. 

"You have no idea how our town 
has grown in the last three months. 
They have built all around me clear 
to the railroad and back to the bridge. 
We have but a few lots left and I 
don't expect to keep them two weeks. 
It is a lively business at last, though 
it was a long time coming. My wife 
joins me in our love to your wife and 
children and says she remembers her 
kindness to her in bygone days. Ac- 
cept for yourself my best wishes. 

"WM. SMITH." 
* * * 

DANCE AT CHIEFTAIN'S.— Mrs. 
Jno. S. Prather (Susan Verdery), of 
Atlanta, who once lived at the old 
home of Major Ridge, contributes the 
following: 

"It was evening and the night was 
bright, with a galaxy of stars bending 
their pale beams through a wealth of 
climbing roses, clinging woodbine and 
white star jessamines. Candle light 
sent a glimmer through the windows 
to the front porch, and shadows from 
the tall Colonial pillars fell across the 
mossy lawn. A swish of satin could 
be heard here and there and the gleam 
of white muslin and a more somber 
contrast of black broadcloth and white 
vests as the couples lined up for the 
dance. 

"A scraping of the preliminary 
chords and the popping of a fiddle 
string made known that the plantation 
orchestra was nearly ready to begin 
its part of the performance. The two 
black fiddlers were the property of 
the owner of the mansion. 

"Ah, there went the light footsteps 
in perfect unison with the music of 
the cotillion! They danced for half 
an hour. Occasionally a couple for- 
sook the crowd and repaired to the 
veranda through the leafy screens of 
honeysuckle, there to exchange words 
of understanding and to pluck a nose- 
gay that carried its silent message 
straight to the heart. 

"Milady sounded the gong; the danc- 
ing ceased and supper was enjoyed in 
the dining room. What a supper! Of 
quality and variety the choicest, and 
prepared after Aunt Lindy's favorite 
recipes. Then Augustus Nicholas Ver- 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



215 



dery, son of a French planter of the 
West Indies and master of the planta- 
tion, struck a martial air on his fine 
violin. The couples formed again, and 
the son of the house, Thos. Jefferson 
Verdery, and a fair young lady from 
Charleston led the gay company out 
into the ball room again. The colored 
fiddlers played 'Oh Miss Nancy, Don't 
You Cry! Your Sweetheart Will Come 
to You Bime By!' 

"A specialty was introduced by Mr. 
Chas. De I'Aigle, of Augusta, whose 
polkas and schottisches set the young 
feet patting and young hearts palpi- 
tating; and Tom Verdery and his lit- 
tle sister, Susan, danced steps that en- 
joyed a wide vogue more than 50 years 
later. 

"At 11 the guests climbed into the 
barge 'Mary Berrien' and were poled 
down the Oostanaula to Rome — all 
save the guests of the house. A lone 
figure drew into the shadow of a giant 
sycamore as the merrymakers passed. 
It darted near the mansion, peered in 
with a vengeful look and was swallow- 
ed in the gloom of the nearby forest. 
'Twas an Indian woman left behind 
when her sister and brother redskins 
departed for the west, an inhabitant 
of a cave in the hills who had stolen 
down into the lowlands to gaze on the 
Cherokee retreat of the olden days 
with a prayer for the return of the 
tribe to its happy hunting grounds." 

^ s[i if; 

CREEK CHIEF IS CAPTURED.— 
White's Historical Collections of Geor- 
gia (p. 151) and an old Rome news- 
paper clipping furnish data for an in- 
teresting story of the capture in 1835 
of old Fosach Fixico, the Creek Indian 
chief, by Georgia and Alabama troop- 
ers, part of whom were recruited from 
the Coosa Valley near Rome. Historian 
White records : "Very soon after the 
ratification of the New Echota treaty, 
an apprehension was entertained by 
many citizens in Georgia that the 
party who had opposed the treaty 
would become hostile, and petitions 
for arms, troops and ammunition were 
presented to the Executive, and grant- 
ed. Orders were issued to Brig. Gen. 
James Hemphill to raise a battalion 
of militia and place them at Lesley's 
Ferry, on the Coosa River, for the pur- 
pose not only of keeping the Chero- 
kees in check, but also of preventing 
the Creeks from swarming into Geor- 
gia, which orders were executed, and 
the battalion was organized under the 
command of Gen. James Hemphill and 
Maj. Chas. H. Nelson. A part of the 
Cherokees were disarmed, and 500 



muskets and accouterments were or- 
dered and sent to Cherokee County, 
in case of any hostile movements on 
the part of the Indians. These prep- 
arations on the part of Georgia, to- 
gether with the appearance of the 
Tennessee troops under Brig. Gen. 
Jno. E. Wool, of the United States 
army, quieted the fears of the citi- 
zens." 

The clipping referred to states that 
Capt. Mitchell was placed in charge 
of the expedition down the Coosa, hav- 
ing heard that the Creeks were mov- 
ing down toward the Cherokee country 
from the head of Terrapin Creek, Ala., 
to excite their tribal cousins in the 
Valley of the Coosa. A scout, Fields, 
was sent out, and reported that the 
Indians were concentrated and ready 
to strike from the mountains at the 
head of Terrapin, which empties into 
the Coosa just below Centre, Cherokee 
County, Ala. Without waiting for re- 
inforcements, on scout duty or fur- 
lough, Capt. Mitchell left Rome with 
20 men mounted on horseback and 
muleback, some with saddles, some 
with blankets and others riding bare- 
back. They galloped down the Ala- 
bama road through the Coosa Valley, 
gaining recruits with squirrel guns as 
they went. At dusk the command, now 
120 men, was within six miles of the 
Indian camp, and at sunrise the next 
morning they were on the spot, ready 
for an attack. In the meantime, the 
good women of the neighborhood had 
sent in breakfast rations for all of 
the troopers. The expectation was 
that there would be a bloody fight. 
These Coosa farmers and Georgia Vol- 
unteers were determined to strike a 
telling blow in defense of their wives 
and children, and this determination 
was not any less sharp from the fact 
of their crude arms and scanty equip- 
ment. 

About 200 warriors, practically 
naked and well daubed with paint, 
swarmed from their wigwams like 
bees, until a side of Craig's Moun- 
tain was well dotted with them. As 
the Georgia troops were about to close 
in, a clatter of hoofs was heard and 
up dashed Capt. Arnold with a com- 
pany of 60 cavalry from Jacksonville, 
Ala. Capt. Mitchell cried out: "No 
time for consultation ; you fight to the 
right and occupy the creek above the 
camp!" 

Capt. Arnold's men sped to the point 
indicated, while Capt. Mitchell's swept 
to the left, crossed Terrapin Creek, 
dismounted and deployed in skirmish 
line and approached to within 40 yards 



216 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



of the camp. Orders were not to fire 
until fired upon. Suddenly a long 
strip of white canvas was hoisted on 
a pole as a flag of truce, and an in- 
terpreter was sent out to declare, "I 
am directed by Chief Fosach Fixico to 
say that he is not hostile." 

The Indian was ordered to return 
and direct that the chief appear in 
person. Fosach quickly appeared, the 
finest diked-out Indian ever seen be- 
fore or since; he wore a red and blue 
turban, with crimson and white war 
gowii of velvet that extended to his 
knees, and hung profusely with beads 
and tassels of all kinds; his face and 
neck were ablaze with war paint. He 
came forward with an elastic and 
som.ewhat defiant step. As Capt. 
Mitchell met him a few paces in ad- 
vance of the line, he repeated through 
his interpreter: "I am not hostile." 
Capt. Mitchell asked him if he surrend- 
ered, to which he replied: "I am not 
hostile, but if you require it, I do." 

At this juncture Capt. Luckie dash- 
ed up with a troop of farmers from 
near the mouth of Terrapin Creek, ar- 
riving on the west side. He and Capt. 
Arnold were consulted and the terms 
of capitulation agreed upon. Fosach 
was to deliver all his arms to Capt. 
Luckie, who was to march the In- 
dians forth to Mardisville. whence they 
were to proceed under additional guard 
to Arkansas. Twenty-four hours was 
given for the red-skins to gather up 
their ponies, women and children. Such 
of the Coosa River Volunteers as wish- 
ed to remain with Capt. Luckie could 
do so, and the others were free to re- 
turn to their homes. Five hundred 
muskets and accouterments surrender- 
ed by the Indians were sent to Chero- 
kee County. 

Shortly afterward, three cavalary 
companies from Floyd and one from 
Cherokee were organized into a bat- 
talion at Rome and were put in camp 
at Lashley's Ferry, eighteen miles be- 
low Rome, on the north side of the 
Coosa. These were under direction of 
Gen. Hemphill and under direct charge 
of Maj. Nelson and Capt. Mitchell. 
The command was known as the High- 
land Battalion, and was sworn into 
the United States service by Capt. 
Paine, U. S. A., and served until after 
most of the Indians had been removed 
to the west. On the resignation of 
Lieut. Carter, Joseph Watters was 
elected to the vacancy, and when Capt. 
Mitchell resigned, Watters was named 
in his place. This was undoubtedly 
the same Joseph Watters for whom 



the Watters district of Floyd County 

was named. 

* * t- 

RIDGE'S LUCKY SHOT.— The fol- 
lowing anecdote, summarized from the 
Cartersville Courant of Apr. 2, 1885, 
(by Judge Jno. W. H. Underwood) 
will show how a red-man would now 
and then befriend a pale-face: 

"In old Pendleton District, South 
Carolina, lived Col. James Blair, a 
Revolutionary soldier, last commander 
of Oconee Station and one of the con- 
stables of Col. Benj. Cleveland, a hero 
of the Revolution, colloquially known 
as 'Old Roundabout.' For 20 years 
Col. Blair had rounded up Tories and 
thieves and had swung many a 'bad 
man' to the gate gallows in front of 
Col. Cleveland's plantation home. 

"On this occasion. Col. Blair was 
following Wiley Hyde and Tom Phil- 
lips, half breed Indians who had stolen 
two fine horses from Benj. Mosely, 
who lived near Oconee Station. He 
was equipped with a horse in leash as 
well as his saddle animal, and two 
large horse pistols. At Reece's Spring, 
a mile east of the home of Major 
Ridge, the Cherokee chief, and two 
whoops and a holler from Ft. Jack- 
son, Col. Blair came upon the Indians, 
drinking at the spring. They were 
also fairly full of fire-water, and as 
he approached (having tethered his 
horses nearby), they covered him with 
their rifles. 

"Col. Blair threw up his hands, but 
quickly said, 'Don't shoot! I am a 
friend with some good whiskey ! Don't 
shoot a friend with some whiskey on 
his hip!' 

"The Indians relented and began to 
question him in their maudlin way. 
He told them he wanted to join a 
crowd and go over into Vann's Valley 
and steal some horses. The suspicions 
of Wiley Hyde were aroused, and he 
said, 'Tom Phillips, you are a fool. 
He's from over the line, and he'll be 
shooting us full of holes in a minute. 
Let's kill him and throw him in the 
river.' 

"Hyde raised his gun, cocked it and 
was about to crack down on Col. 
Blair's chest when 'Bang!' came from 
the nearby forest. Hyde fell face 
forward into the branch, and as he 
went down. Col. Blair seized his gun 
and covered Wiley Hyde, who threw 
up his hands. 

"Major Ridge rushed forward from 
a clump of underbrush and explained 
that he had been out hunting wild tur- 
keys when the pantomine was re- 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



217 



hearsed before his eyes. He knew the 
two men to be worthless scoundrels, 
and was glad to do Col. Blair and the 
state the service of dispatching one of 
them. John Ridge, the Major's son, 
Stand Watie, John's cousin, and Sally 
Ridge, the Major's pretty young 
daughter, came running up, and with 
a courtly bow. Col. Blair presented 
his handsome gold watch to the little 
girl. John and Stand Watie got the 
stolen horses together for Col. Blair; 
Tom Phillips was tied securely and put 
on one of them, and Col. Blair went 
back to the Pendleton district of 
South Carolina. The dead Indian was 
buried 150 yards below the spring, 
without even a tear from Miss Sally 
to damped the sod. 

"This act gained for Major Ridge 
an honorable name among the pale- 
faces, who ever after looked to him 
to redress wrongs committed by mem- 
bers of his clan; and when he fought 
so bravely at the Battle of the Horse- 
shoe, Ala., several years later, under 
Gen. Jackson, all felt that his laurels 
were lightly worn." 



TROUBLES OF THE CHIEFS.— 
That life was not a bed of Cherokee 
roses for the Ridges and their kins- 
man, Elias Boudinot, is evident from 
the following letters : 

^Washington City, Mar. 13, 1835. 

To Hon. Lewis Cass, 
Secretary of War, 
Washington, D. C. 

Sir: I read this letter this morn- 
ing, advising me of the progress of 
intrusion upon my plantation and 
ferry within the chartered limits of 
Alabama. The damage done to me 
will be considerable if this is suffered 
to proceed. Deplorable will be the fate 
of the Indians if lawless men, without 
the authorities of the States, are suf- 
fered to throw free people out of their 
houses while they are preparing to 
leave the land of their forefathers. 
This is not a solitary case, but these 
aggravating cases are transpiring al- 
most every day. The Government 
should give instructions to its agents 
upon this subject without delay. 

I am, sir, respectfully your friend, 
JOHN RIDGE. 



(Enclosure.) 

**Childersville, Ala., Dec. 23, 1835. 

Mr. John Ridge, 
(Washington, D. C.) 

Dear Friend: It has been some 
weeks since I wrote to you. I have 
been expecting to receive a letter from 
you, but have not received any yet. I 
now write to give you the times here. 
We are all well. I have commenced 
clearing up my ground for a crop. I 
shall start my ploughs in a few days. 
Jno. W. Garrot*** is here on the other 
side of the river; has got large dou- 
ble houses built, and has taken those 
old houses that Pathkiller used to live 
in, and made kitchens of them. He has 
moved part of the fencing there and 
says he intends to hold all the pos- 
sessions, and that he will take the 
ferry as soon as you return. I for- 
bid him to build there, before wit- 
nesses. He threatens to shoot any 
man that would interrupt him. He 
says he can raise a militia force any 
time to protect himself. Major B. F. 
Currey was here shortly after Garrot 
first came, and ordered him off. Gar- 
rot now says they had a private con- 
versation, and Currey had told him 
that he should not be interrupted, and 



*Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (1835), p. 357. 

**Ibid. Undoubtedly the present Childorsburg, 
Talladega County, on the Coosa River, 125 
miles below Rome. 

***A man named Garrett is supposed to have 
molested Major Ridge's ferry at Rome. 




DR. GAMALIEL W. HOLMES, who estab- 
lished a reputation as a family physician 
after the Civil War. 



218 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



that they (Currey and himself) had 
made a compromise of the business. 
I hope you will be able while you are 
there to make arrangements from Gov- 
ernment to have him put off from this 
place. If you can not do that, it will 
injure you more than one thousand 
dollars. If he was away from here 
I could get $2,500 for the place at any 
time, but it will not sell for half that 
amount under the present circum- 
stances. 

I have bad news to tell you about 
the money business here. My share 
this winter is but little. The small- 
pox turned the people away in the 
fore part of the winter, and now and 
for some time back the people are 
afraid to travel on account of the 
highway robbers. The travellers are 
getting killed and robbed in all parts 
of the country. Between Mr. West's 
and Spanish John's old place there 
have been found a man and two horses 
killed. On the mountain between here 
and Mr. Bell's a man has been robbed 
of a horse. Down at Mill creek, on 
this road, a man was robbed of $192. 
On the mountain near Cox's, a man 
was killed and robbed of his horse and 
money. In Chattooga Valley there 
were two men shot, but neither of 
them killed. Near Montgomery, a few 
days ago, a man was killed and rob- 
bed of several hundred dollars. 

I heard from Mrs. Ridge a few days 
ago. They were all well. Today I 
shall send Mrs. Ridge $45 of cash. I 
must conclude by saying to you that 
I still remain, 

Your sincere friend, 

WM. CHILDERS. 
■''Headquarters, Army Cherokee Na- 
tion, Valley Town, N. C, Aug. 12, 
1836. 
Brig. Gen. Dunlap,** 
Of the Brigade of 
Tennessee Volunteers. 

Sir: Captain Vernon, stationed at 
New Echota, informs me that John 
Ridge has complained to him that some 
white man is about to take forcible 
possession of his ferry on Coosa River. 
You will without delay inquire into the 
case, and if you should find the com- 
plaint to be just, you will, until fur- 
ther orders, protect Ridge in his rights 
and property. This order will apply to 
all cases of similar character in the 
Cherokee country. 

You are further directed that in 
case you should find any troops with- 
in the limits of the Cherokee nation, 
whether in Georgia, Alabama, Tennes- 
see or North Carolina, not belonging 



to the East Tennessee brigade, to no- 
tify them that they are exclusively 
subject to my authority, and unless 
they report to me without delay, and 
become subject to my orders, will 
either leave the nation or be disband- 
ed. In your proceedings, you will be 
governed by your instructions of the 
4th instant. 

I am, very respectfully, your obe- 
dient servant, 

JOHN E. WOOL, 

Brigadier General Commanding. 

In September, 1836, Gov. Lumpkin 
wrote as follows of the Ridge ferry 
seizure at Rome to Gen. John E. 

Wool:*** 

"I herewith enclose you sundry pa- 
pers placed in my hands by Mr. Gar- 
rett, on the subject of Ridge's ferry. 
From these papers it would seem that 
Garrett is willing to yield his claims 
to the civil authority, and yet to obey 
and respect any military orders to him 
directed by you. 

"Garrett alleges that he will cease 
to run his ferry boat provided Ridge 
will keep up the ferry and not disap- 
point travelers, but further states that 
Ridge is like the dog in the manger — 
that he will neither run his own boat 
nor suffer him to run one. The pa- 
pers, however, will place you in pos- 
session of the facts and relieve you 
from further trouble in the case. 

"With great respect, your obedient 
servant, 

"WILSON LUMPKIN." 

****New Echota, June 15, 1836. 

Hon. Elbert Herring, 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs. 

Sir: By the last mail I addressed 
a letter to Mr. Schermerhorn, to your 
care, which you have probably perused. 
What I there stated in regard to the 
state of feeling among the Cherokees 
has only been confirmed to my satis- 
faction. Indeed, I will venture to say 
there has never been a time for the 
last five years when appearances were 
so favorable as at present. I know 
of no hostility to the treaty. I hear 
now, on the contrary, the Cherokees in 
this region will receive it with cheer- 
fulness. They say the matter is now 
settled and they are glad of it. I 
speak of the mass of the Cherokees. 

*Secretary of War's Report on Cherokea 
Treaty (1835), p. 640. 

**W. C. Dunlap. 

***Reinoval of the Cherokee Indians from 
Georgia, (Lumpkin), Vol. II, p. 43. 

****Report of Secretary of War on Cherolcee 
Treaty (1835), ps. 600-1. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



219 



There is a portion who, no doubt, feel 
far otherwise; but they are those 
whose ambition has been disappointed. 
Without their interference there will 
be no excitement. I trust they will not 
endeavor to excite the people. 

The white inhabitants of this coun- 
try are in a state of great alarm, 
founded upon some unfounded appre- 
hensions. I believe it is owing a great 
deal to what is transpiring in the 
Creek nation. Our people are not even 
aware of the state of feeling among 
the whites, much less are they think- 
ing of making war. I trust, sir, that 
no exaggerated rumors, which, no 
doubt, will go out of this country, will 
induce the Government to believe the 
Cherokees are in a hostile attitude. 
They are not, nor do I believe, even 
with Ross's influence, will a portion 
of them ever assume such an attitude. 

Our people are greatly suffering 
for food. It is very important that the 
necessary appropriations should be 
made soon for their relief. If I had 
authority to do so, I would begin to 
supply them in this neighborhood. 

In my letters to Mr. Schermerhorn 
I have referred to the speculations that 
are going on upon the Indians by 
whites and half breeds. Strong meas- 
ures are necessary to prevent it. The 
president ought to have the right of 
deciding what are the just debts of 
the Indians, for the protection of that 
class. If not, they will go to the west 
deprived of every cent of their prop- 
erty, and the money will go into the 
hands of the whites and such Indians 
as have opposed the very treaty by 
which they are now trying to amass 
wealth. I say again, strong measures 
are necessary. 

I trust the President will think it 
best to send Mr. Schermerhorn again. 
I think he is a suitable person be- 
cause he is a terror to speculators, and 
understands the situation of these peo- 
ple and their affairs. 

With sentiments of high esteem, I 
remain yours, 

ELIAS BOUDINOT. 

*New Echota, Ga., June 16, 1836. 
Hon. Elbert Herring, 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs. 

Sir: I addressed a letter to you yes- 
terday, giving you a favorable account 
of the state of feeling among the 
Cherokees. I have since then received 
the enclosed letter, which would seem 
to contradict what I have stated. I 



*Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee 
Treaty (1835), ps. 602-3-4. 



wish to be understood as speaking of 
the Cherokees in this region, and from 
which I have direct information. There 
are neighborhoods where I have every 
reason to presume there is hostility 
towards us as a treaty party, and there 
are individuals who would willingly 
take our lives if they could. I have 
no idea that the danger is as great 
as is apprehended by the writers of 
the two letters enclosed. 

I came through the neighboi-hood • 
where hostility is said to exist, and 
the frolic or dance spoken of was held 
before I came along. I saw Thos. 
Taylor there, and he told me that he 
found the people better satisfied than 
he expected. 

I yet think there may be some mis- 
take about Welch being waylaid. Fos- 
ter, one of our delegation, was here 
the other day, and he told me every- 
thing was going right for the treaty. 
But as I have before stated, inflam- 
matory statements from the other side 
may change the state of feeling. I 
shall not be excited, and shall take 
the matter coolly and deliberately, and 
shall endeavor to keep you apprized of 
what is happening. I shall repeat 
again what I have said, that matters 
have never appeared so favorable 
within the compass of my observations 
within the last five years, as at pres- 
ent, and if Ross would only keep away, 
the nation would almost be unanimous 
for the treaty. 

To give you an instance how these 
poor people are deluded and misled, it 
is said that one of Ross's delegation on 
his return reported that the Cherokee 
countries here and in Arkansas have 
been sold, and that the Cherokees will 
have to go to a far country, infested 
by man-eaters. The people protested 
going there, but are willing to go to. 
Arkansas. 

I should have addressed these let- 
ters to Mr. Schermerhorn, if I thought 
he was still there. Please give my 
respects to him, and let him see these 
letters. 

Very respectfully, 

ELIAS BOUDINOT. 

(Two Enclosures.) 
Coal Mountain, June 8, 1836. 
Mr. Elias Boudinot, 

Sir: There was an Indian frolic or 
dance on Saturday night last, and 
there was some white men went to 
the same. They have reported that 
the Indians said that they had no 
malice towards the white people, but 



220 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



that they intended killing Ridge and 
yourself. I have written you that you 
might be on your guard, which no 
doubt you are. The citizens of this 
county had a meeting yesterday; they 
are resolved to punish all offenses, if 
any. I would recommend for your 
safety for you and family to leave the 
country until the excitement is over a 
little. Please to accept for yourself 
and family my best wishes. 
Truly yours, 

GEORGE KELLOG. 

Chattahoochee, June 8, 1836. 

My dear Boudinot: I have just re- 
ceived a letter from Welch, informing 
me that his house has been waylaid 
by the Indians, who are seeking an 
opportunity to kill him. Our friend 
Tom Taylor is scattering the fire- 
brands. All my friends are well 
pleased that our treaty has been rati- 
fied and are ready to pledge their lives 
in defense of the treaty party. We 
have thousands of friends amongst the 
Georgians, ready to do the same. 

If you are at all apprehensive of 
clanger, let me advise you to collect 
all your friends and form an encamp- 
ment at Ridge's; arm but act on the 
defensive ; make any contracts neces- 
sary to your support. The treaty must 
meet them. I have just written to 
Schermerhorn, informing him of Tay- 
lor's conduct. Write to me often. I 
am much concerned for your safety. 
Sincerely your friend, 

WILLIAM RODGERS." 
* * * 

ROSS DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
— In April, 1835, it would appear, 
Ross returned from Washington to his 
home at "Head of Coosa," Rome. On 
Mar. 14, the Ridge party had signed 
with the Government the preliminar- 
ies of the New Echota treaty, giving 
the Indians $5,000,000 for Cherokee 
Georgia. In order to reach Washing- 
ton in those days it was necessary to 
travel by stage or horse to Charles- 
ton, and there take the steamer north 
or go the entire way on horseback. 
He had come in on his trusty charger, 
tired and hopeful of a kiss from his 
wife and children. Instead, he found 
his family gone — thrown out with a 
few scant things they could carry 
with them, and making for Tennessee 
over the dusty road. 

The following statement was signed 
by eight leading Cherokees,'''* including 
Ross, and it was undoubtedly written 
or dictated by Ross himself. Although 
the ejectment seems to have taken 



place in April, complaint was not made 
to Washington until June 21, 1836, 
more than a year later. Here is the 
summary of grievances, including the 
tale of the ejectment; it states that 
Ross's father, Daniel Ross, was buried 
at Rome, whereas members of the 
family in Oklahoma have always 
thought the parent and certain others 
were buried at Lookout Mountain, 
Tenn. 

"The Cherokees were then left to the 
mercy of an interested agent. This 
agent, under the act of 1834, was the 
notorious Wm. N. Bishop, the captain 
of the Georgia Guard, aid to the Gov- 
ernor, clerk of court, postmaster, etc., 
and his mode of trying Indian rights 
is here submitted: 

" 'Murray County, Ga., 
Jan. 20, 1835. 
" 'Mr. John Martin: 

" 'Sir — The legal representative of 
lots of land No. 95, 25th district, 2nd 
section, No. 86, 25th district, 2nd sec- 
tion, No. 93, 25th district, 2nd section, 
No. 89, 25th district, 2nd section. No. 
57, 25th district, 2nd section, has 
called on me, as State's agent, to give 
possession of the above described lots 
of land, and informs me that you are 
the occupant upon them. Under the 
laws of the State of Georgia, passed 
in 1833 and 1834, it is made my duty 
to comply with his request, therefore, 
prepare yourself to give entire pos- 
session of said premises on or before 
the 20th day of February next; fail 
not under the penalty of the law. 
'"WM. N." BISHOP, 

" 'State's Agent.' 

"Mr. Martin,*'''* a Cherokee, was a 
man of wealth, had an extensive farm, 
large fields of wheat growing; and 
was turned out of house and home, 
and compelled, in the month of Feb- 
ruary, to seek a new residence within 
the limits of Tennessee. 



*Usually spelled Rogers. 

**John Ross, John Martin, James Brown, 
Joseph Vann. John Benge, Lewis Ross, Elijah 
Hicks and Richard Fields. Authority : Cher- 
okee Indians, Congressional Documents 
(1835-6), Doc. No. 286, ps. 5-6-7. After Ross 
was dispossessed, he went to live in Bradley 
County, Tenn., where he and John Howard 
Payne were arrested a few months later. 

***Martin had been a judge of one of the 
Cherokee districts (Amoah). On Aug. 10, 
1835, he was arrested by liieut. Jno. L. Hooper, 
commander of Co. F, 4th Inf., U. S. A., at Ft. 
Cass, Calhoun, Tenn., and confined at the home 
of Lewis Ross at that place, whence he soon 
made his escape. A spirited tilt then took 
place between Hooper and Major Currey. Mar- 
tin was charged with having threatened the 
life of John Ridge for negotiating with the 
Government. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



221 



"Mr. Richard Taylor was also at 
Washington, and in his absence his 
family was threatened with expulsion, 
and compelled to give $200 for leave 
to remain at home for a few months 
only. 

"This is the 'real humanity' the 
Cherokees were shown by the real or 
pretended authorities of Georgia, dis- 
avowing any selfish or sinister motives 
towards them. 

"Mr. Jos. Vann, also a native Chero- 
kee, was a man of great wealth ; had 
about 800 acres of land in cultivation; 
had made extensive improvements, 
consisting, in part, of a brick house, 
costing about $10,000, mills, kitchens, 
negro houses, and other buildings. He 
had fine gardens, and extensive apple 
and peach orchards. His business was 
so extensive he was compelled to em- 
ploy an overseer and other agents. In 
the fall of 1833 he was called from 
home, but before leaving made a con- 
ditional contract with a Mr. Howell, 
a white man, to oversee for him in the 
year 1834, to commence on the first 
of January of that year. He returned 
about the 28th or 29th of December, 
1833, and learning that Georgia had 
prohibited any Cherokee from hiring a 
white man, told Mr. Howell he did 
not want his services. 

"Yet Mr. Bishop, the State's agent, 
represented to the authorities of Geor- 
gia that Mr. Vann had violated the 
laws of that State by hiring a white 
man, had forfeited his right of oc- 
cupancy, and that a grant ought to 
issue for his lands. 

"There were conflicting claims un- 
der Georgia laws for his possessions. 
A Mr. Riley* pretended a claim, and 
took possession of the upper part of 
the dwelling house, armed for battle. 
Mr. Bishop, the State's agent, and his 
party came to take possession, and be- 
tween them and Riley a fight com- 
menced, and from 20 to 50 guns were 
fired in the house. While this was 
going on, Mr. Vann gathered his trem- 
bling wife and children into a room 
for safety. Riley could not be dis- 
lodged from his position upstairs, even 
after being wounded, and Bishop's par- 
ty finally set fire to the house. Riley 
surrendered and the fire was extin- 
guished. 

Mr. Vann and his family were then 



driven out, unprepared, in the dead of 
winter, and snow on the ground, 
through which they were compelled 
to wade and to take shelter within 
the limits of Tennessee, in an open 
log cabin, upon a dirt floor, and Bishop 
put his brother, Absalom Bishop, in 
posession of Mr. Vann's house. This 
Mr. Vann is the same who, when a 
boy, volunteered as a private soldier 
in the Cherokee regiment in the serv- 
ice of the United States, in the Creek 
war, periled his life in crossing the 
river at the Battle of the Horse 
Shoe.** What has been his reward? 

"Hundreds of other cases might be 
added. In fact, nearly all the Chero- 
kees in Georgia who had improve- 
ments of any value, except the favor- 
ites of the United States agent,*** 
under one pretext or another have 
been driven from their homes. Amid 
the process of expulsion, the Rev. John 
F. Schermerhorn, the United States 
commissioner, visited the legislatures 
of Tennessee and Alabama, and im- 
portuned those bodies to pass laws 
prohibiting the Chei-okees who might 
be turned out of their possessions from 
within the Georgia limits, taking up 
a residence in the limits of those 
states. 



*Spencer Riley, of Cass County, formerly or 
Bibb. The fight took place Mar. 2, 1835 ; au- 
thority : Georgia Journal, Milledgeville, Apr. 7, 
1835. 

**Tallapoosa River, with Andrew Jackson 
and Major Ridge. 

***Reference to the Ridges, Boudinot and 
others of the Treaty party. 




WADE SAMUEL COTHRAN, leading spirit in 
the First Presbyterian church, who removed 
from Rome to Anniston. 



222 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



"The same summary process was 
used toward Mr. John Ross, the prin- 
cipal chief of the Cherokee Nation. He 
was at Washington City, on the busi- 
ness of his nation. When he returned, 
he traveled until about 10 o'clock at 
night to reach his family; rode up to 
the gate; saw a servant believed to be 
his own; dismounted, ordered his horse 
taken; went in, and to his utter as- 
tonishment found himself a stranger 
in his own home, his family having 
been some days before driven out to 
seek a new home. 

"A thought then flitted across his 
mind — that he could not, under all the 
circumstances of the situation, recon- 
cile it to himself to tarry all night 
under the roof of his own house as a 
stranger, the new host of that house 
being the tenant of that mercenary 
band of Georgia speculators at whose 
instance his helpless family had been 
turned out and made homeless. 

"Upon reflecting, however, that 'man 
is born unto trouble,' Mr. Ross at once 
concluded to take up his lodgings 
there for the night, and to console 
himself under the conviction of having 
met his afflictions and trials in a man- 
ner consistent with every principle of 
moral obligation towards himself and 
family, his country and his God. 

"On the next morning he arose early, 
and went out into the yard, and saw 
some straggling herds of his cattle and 
sheep browsing about the place — his 
crop of corn undisposed of. In cast- 
ing a look up into the widespread 
branches of a majestic oak, standing 
within the enclosure of the garden, 
and which overshadows the spot where 
lie the remains of his dear babe and 
most beloved and afi'ectionate father, 
he there saw, perched upon its boughs, 
that flock of beautiful pea-fowls, once 
the matron's care and delight, but now 
left to destruction and never more to 
be seen. 

"He ordered his horse, paid his bill, 
and departed in search of his family. 
After traveling amid heavy rains he 
had the happiness of overtaking them 
on the road, bound for some place of 
refuge within the limits of Tennessee. 
Thus have his houses, farm, public 
ferries, and other property been wrest- 
ed from him." 

* =;= * 

JOHN RIDGE IN NEW YORK.— 
Martin Grahame, of Briarlea, Sas- 
katchewan, Canada, who for some 
years lived on the East Rome place 
owned by J. Paul Cooper, sent the fol- 
lowing in 1921 to Linton A. Dean 



from the diary of his father, W. R. 
Grahame : 

"New York, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1832.— 
Was also with Testes Dwight to the 
City Hotel and was introduced to and 
had conversation with two Indian 
chiefs, the first and only I have seen — 
Mr. John Ridge and another chief 
whose name I do not remember. They 
were well-dressed men in surtouts, 
(wide-skirted coats reaching below the 
knees. — Webster's New Standard Dic- 
tionary), spoke good English and be- 
haved themselves like gentlemen. Ridge 
is the son of an orator, the greatest, 
Mr. Dwight said, among the Cherokees, 
a chief of the Deer Tribe. The other 
Indian was of the Wolf Tribe, of the 
Cherokee Nation, both of them. They 
had beautiful, small hands and feet, 
especially Ridge, who is married to a 
New England lady. They have come 
to New York to raise the sympathy of 
the public in behalf of their country- 
men who have deputized them with 
that design, for the purpose of getting 
them allowed to remain in their lands 
guaranteed them in Georgia, Tennes- 
see and North Carolina in their treaty 
with the United States. 

"The Cherokees consist of 16,000 to 
20,000 people, the women more numer- 
ous than the men. The Sequoyan al- 
phabet, according to Ridge, can be 
learned in three days by a quick schol- 
ar, and in six days by a slow one. 
They have left ofl" the chase largely of 
late and devote themselves to agri- 
culture. Mr. Ridge said superstition 
kept the Indian from gaining more 
information. He stated that legend 
had it that God first made the 
Indian and then the white man. The 
Indian was off"ered the choice of a 
book or a bow and arrow, and while 
he hesitated, the white man stole the 
book; thus the bow and arrow was left 
to the Indian, and he has made good 
use of them ever since. Mr. Ridge's 
father's home is a two-story one, 52 
by 28 feet, and there are many others 
of handsome design which show the 
wealth and civilization of the owners. 

"Tonight at a public meeting in 
Clinton Hall, Mr. Ridge mentioned 
that the chiefs of the Cherokees had 
voluntarily resigned their ancient pow- 
ers and modeled their state into a Re- 
public on the general plan of the Unit- 
ed States, with frequent elections (uni- 
versal suffrage there is also, but he 
did not mention that). 

"In the morning he mentioned that 
among the Creek Nation women are 
monthly put out of the house to purify, 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



223 



and at these seasons men do not ap- 
proach them, even to speak, except 
from a distance. Adultery in high or 
low degree is punished with beating 
until the criminals faint, and then cut- 
ting the ears off. Formerly, passing 
between a woman and the wind or 
bathing higher up a stream at the same 
time with her was held adultery, com- 
municated of the water or the wind. 
After punishment is inflicted, how- 
ever, the offender resumes his rank, 
and if he can escape until after an an- 
nual jubilee, he may save himself en- 
tirely from punishment. 

"A married man may have as many 
wives as he pleases, if they are not 
the wives of others. The ladies have 
not that privilege." 



WHEN THE RED MAN LEFT.— 
(By Jno. W. H. Underwood, in The 
Cartersville Courant, 1883). — The 
County of Floyd is perhaps the most 
interesting locality of this section of 
the state. Situated on the confluence 
of the Oostanaula and Etowah rivers, 
it has attracted the attention of many 
people. It was the favorite resort of 
the Red Man, and when the treaty of 
Dec. 29, 1835, was made, the influx 
of population was greatly increased. 

The Cherokee country was surveyed 
by the authorities of the State of 
Georgia in 1830 and 1831. The lots 
were 160 acres and 40 acres in size. 
That supposed to be the gold region 
was laid off in 40-acre lots, and that 
where there was supposed to be no 
gold was laid off in 160-acre lots. The 
whole of the Cherokee country com- 
prised in the chartered limits of Geor- 
gia was made into one county, called 
Cherokee County. The extent of the 
territory embraced was very consider- 
able, beginning at the point where the 
S5th parallel of N. Latitude comes in 
contact with a point on the Blue Ridge 
fixed by James Blair and Wilson Lump- 
kin that now divides Towns and Ra- 
bun counties, running thence west to 
Nickajack Cave, the northwest corner 
of Georgia, thence due south, nearly 
in the direction of Miller's bend, on the 
Chattahoochee River, two miles south 
of West Point, Ga., until it strikes 
the north of Carroll County, thence 
east until it reaches the Chattahoochee 
River, thence along said river to the 
mouth of the Chestatee, thence up the 
Chestatee River to the head and then 



♦Not at Princeton University. It is generally 
accepted that he attended the mission schools 
at Spring Place, Murray County, and at Corn- 
wall, Conn. 



due north to the top of the Blue Ridge, 
then in an easterly direction to Hick- 
ory Gap, then with the meanders of 
the Blue Ridge to the beginning. 

Cherokee County was organized early 
in 1832. The courthouse was located 
where the town of Canton now is. A 
judge and solicitor general were elect- 
ed. The Hon. Jno. W. Hooper was the 
first judge of the Superior Court. He 
was the father of Mrs. Thos. W. Alex- 
ander and John W. Hooper, long a 
resident of Rome. Hon. Wm. Ezzard 
was elected the first solicitor general. 
He now resides in Atlanta, Ga., a hale 
and hearty, well-preserved man be- 
tween 80 and 90 years of age, an orna- 
ment to mankind, an honor to his race, 
a connecting link between the past and 
present. Jacob M. Scudder, who had 
long resided among the Indians as a 
licensed trader, under the new inter- 
course laws of the United States, res- 
ident in the nation, was elected sena- 
tor, and a man by the name of Wil- 
liams representative. Scudder was a 
highly intelligent and able man, and 
very soon made a favorable impres- 
sion upon the legislature. Early in 
the session he introduced a bill to lay 
off the country into ten counties, as 
follows: Forsyth, Cobb, Lumpkin, 
Union, Gilmer, Cherokee, Murray, 
Cass, Floyd and Paulding. Murray 
County embraced the territory that is 
now in Whitfield, Catoosa, Walker, and 
one-half of Chattooga. It would per- 
haps have been best if the original 
counties had remained as they were, 
with slight exceptions. Mr. Scudder 
laid off Floyd County with the view 
of the existence of a city where Rome 
now is. John Ross, the principal chief 
of the Cherokees, resided immediately 
north and opposite the junction of the 
rivers, and called his place "Head of 
Coosa." I have seen his letters to my 
father often. 

Major Ridge, who was made a major 
by Gen. Jackson at the Battle of the 
Horseshoe on the Tallapoosa River, in 
Alabama, for gallant conduct, resided 
up the Oostanaula River nearly two 
miles north of the courthouse, on the 
east bank of the river. Major Ridge's 
son, John, was educated at Princeton, 
N. J.,* and John's sister, Sallie, at Mrs. 
Elsworth's School. John Ridge was 
the great rival of John Ross, and Sal- 
lie Ridge was the first wife of George 
W. Paschal, deceased, who was once 
one of the judges of the Supreme Court 
of Texas. Ridge Paschal, their son, is 
a distinguished lawyer in Texas. 

There exists no record of the first 
settlers of Floyd County. The site 



224 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



was at first located down the Coosa 
River, ten miles from Rome and called 
Livingston. In 1834, however, there 
was a very heated contest, and the seat 
of justice, the courthouse, was moved 
to the junction of the rivers and the 
place named Rome. Among the early 
settlers were the two Hemphills — • 
James and Philip W. Hemphill. One 
of them resided at the Mobley place, 
now owned by Col. Yancey, and the 
other in Vann's Valley, at what has 
been for many years known as the 
Montgomery farm. 

Walton H. Jones was the brother- 
in-law of Hemphill and was an early 
settler. So was Edward Ware, who 
resided eight miles south of Rome, 
where Mr, Alexander White now lives. 
Joseph Ford, the father of I. D. Ford 
and Arthur Ford, was another, and 
resided in Vann's Valley where Mr. 
W. S. Gibbons now lives. He built the 
brick residence there. John Rush was 
another early settler, and resided on 
the Calhoun Road, seven miles north- 
cast of Rome. Joseph Watters was an 
early settler, settling eight miles north- 
east of Rome at the "Hermitage." Wal- 
lace Warren was here early, and re- 
sided on the west side of the Oosta- 
naula six miles from Rome. Dr. Alvin 
Dean, the grandfather of Linton Dean, 
was another one of them. He resided 
about nine miles down the Coosa at 
the residence of John W. Turner, who 
married his daughter. Thos. S. Price 
was another striking man, for sixteen 
years sheriff and deputy sheriff with 
Thos. G. Watters, now of Rome. The 
Loyds were heard of at an early date, 
and so were Thomas and Elijah Lump- 
kin. John PL Lumpkin was here in 
1834. Joseph Watters was many times 
a senator from Floyd. John H. Lump- 
kin was for three terms a member of 
the Superior Court. Among the men 
of mark who were here at an early 
day may be mentioned Daniel R. 
Mitchell, Wallace Mitchell, A. T. Har- 
din, Elkanah Everett, and Thos. Sel- 
man, the father of the numerous and 
highly respected Selmans. 

Perhaps the most far-seeing man 
devoted to the interests of Rome that 
ever lived in our midst was William 
Smith. He was of great energy and 
very full capacity, with the will 
and courage of Andrew Jackson — 
warm in his friendships and attach- 
ments. He saw at an early day the 
prospective commercial importance of 
Rome. He was very far in advance of 
the place and the people. He caused 
to be projected and built the first 



steamboat. He was born to command 
and generally had at least one-half of 
the voters of the county under his 
control. He was often honored with 
positions of trust by the people of the 
county, and was once state senator. 
He died at comparatively an early age. 
He was a close and intimate friend of 
Col. Alfred Shorter. 

Of the earliest settlers, few if any 
remain — alas, alas! they have gone 
to that bourne whence no traveler re- 
turns! Melancholy reflection! The 
writer knew them all — they were his 
friends and are now in the grave. 

Among the later settlers were Wm. 
H. Underwood, Dr. H. V. M. Miller, 
A. D. Shackelford, Wm. T. Price, R. 
S. Norton, Wm. E. Alexander, Pente- 
cost and Ihly, the Alexanders, the 
Smith family. Col. Alfred Shorter and 
Wade S. Cothran, active-minded and 
public-spirited men. 

A. B. Ross, clerk of the Superior 
Court, the father of our present clerk, 
was here at an early day. He held 
the office of clerk until his death, and 
was as good a man as ever lived in 
the county. 

Jobe Rogers, John DeJournett, 
Ewell Meredith and the Berryhills 
were sterling men. The Rev. Geo. 
White, of Savannah, Ga., published two 
books, history and statistics of Geor- 
gia, and there is very little said of 
Floyd County. Floyd is now the fifth 
or sixth county in point of population, 
and Rome is the sixth city in the state. 
The future of Rome is very promis- 
ing. The growth has been gradual and 
it is a remarkable fact that Rome has 
built up by money made in the place 
principally. Very little capital from 
abroad has been used. 

Rome ought to be the gi'eat manu- 
facturing, commercial and financial 
center of this northwest Georgia. We 
have considerable manufacturing in- 
terests here now, and with the ore, 
slate, marble, and other precious and 
valuable stones near enough to us, the 
future of Rome must be upward and 
onward. 

There is no collision of interests be- 
tween Rome, Dalton, Rockmart and 
Cartersville. The interest of one is 
the interest of the whole. Let there 
be no jealousy and no rivalry. Let 
each and all push forward the wheel 
of our progress, and make this section 
in point of fact and development what 
the god of nature intended, the most 
prosperous and lovely section of this 
great country. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



225 



AN OLD RAMBLER.— The follow- 
ing Floyd County humor is from Bill 
Arp's Scrap Book, Chapt. 1, The Orig- 
inal Bill Arp, by Chas. H. Smith, At- 
lanta, Jas. P. Harrison & Co., 1884: 

"Some time in the spring of 1861, 
when the boys were hunting for a fight 
and felt like they could whip all crea- 
tion, Mr. Lincoln issued a proclama- 
tion ordering us all to disperse and 
retire within 30 days, and to quit ca- 
vorting around in a hostile and bellig- 
erent manner. I remember writing an 
answer to it, though I was a good Un- 
ion man and a law-abiding citizen, and 
was willing to disperse, if I could, but 
it was almost impossible, for the boys 
were mighty hot, and the way we made 
up our military companies was to send 
a man down the lines with a bucket of 
water to sprinkle 'em as he came to 
'em, and if a fellow sizzed like hot iron 
in a slack-trough, we took him, and if 
he didn't sizz, we dident take him; but 
still, nevertheless, notwithstanding, 
and so forth, if we could possibly dis- 
perse in 30 days we would do so, but 
I thought he had better give us a little 
more time, for I had been out in an 
old field and tried to disperse myself 
and couldent quite do it. 

"I thought the letter was pretty 
smart, and read it to Dr. Miller and 
Judge Underwood, and they seemed to 
think it was right smart too. About 
that time I looked around and saw Bill 
Arp standing at the door with his 
mouth open and a merry glisten in his 
eye. As he came forward, says he to 
me, 'Squire, are ye gwine to print 
that?' 

"'I reckon I will, Bill,' said L 
'What name are ye gwine to put to 
it?' said he. 'I havent thought about 
a name.' Then he brightened up and 
said, 'Well, Squire, I wish you would 
put mine, for them's my sentiments!' 
And I promised him that I would. 

"So I did not rob Bill Arp of his 
good name, but took it on request, and 
now at this late day, when the moss 
has covered his grave, I will record 
some pleasant memories of a man 
whose notoriety was not extensive, but 
who filled up a gap that was open, and 
who brightened up the flight of many 
an hour in the good old time, say from 
20 to 30 years ago. 

"Bill Arp was a small, sinewy man, 
weighing about 130 pounds, as active 
as a cat, as quick in movement as he 
was active, and always presenting a 
bright, cheerful face. He had an 
amiable disposition, a generous heart 
and was as brave a man as nature 



makes. He was an humble man and 
unlettered in books; never went to 
school but a month or two in his life, 
and could neither read nor write; but 
Jtill, he had more than his share of 
common sense, more than his share of 
ingenuity, and plan and contrivance, 
more than his share of good mother- 
wit and humor, and was always wel- 
come when he came about. 

"Lawyers and doctors and editors, 
and such gentlemen of leisure as who 
used to, in the good old times, sit 
around and chat and have a good time, 
always said, 'Come in, Bill, and take 
a seat.' And Bill seemed grateful for 
the compliment, and with a conscious 
humility squatted on about half the 
chair and waited for questions. The 
bearing of the man was one of rever- 
ence for his superiors and thankful- 
ness for their notice. 

"Bill Arp was a contented man — 
contented with his humble lot. He 
never grumbled or complained at any- 
thing; he had desires and ambitions, 
but they did not trouble him. He kept 
a ferry for a wealthy gentleman who 
lived a few miles above Rome, on the 
Etowah River, and he cultivated a 
small portion of his land; but the 
ferry was not of much consequence, 
and when Bill could step off to Rome 
and hear the lawyers talk, he would 
turn over the boat and poles to his 
wife or children, and go. I have known 
him to take a back seat in the court- 
house for a day at a time and with a 
face all greedy for entertainment, 
listen to the learned speeches of the 
lawyers and charge of the court, and 




fP^^ '" 



THE ORIGINAL BILL ARP. 



226 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




TESTING THE ROME BOYS FOR WAR DUTY. 

"Bill Arp's" book, "Peace Papers," tells how the recruiting officers at Rome 
poured water on candidates who were hot over Mr. Lincoln's "disarmament proc- 
lamation." If "sizzling" resulted, they were sworn in. The author's several books 
reflect vividly the humorous incidents and philosophy of the times. 



go home happy, and be able to tell to 
his admiring family what Judge Un- 
derwood said and what Judge Wright 
said, and what Col. Alexander said, 
and what the judge on the bench 
said; and if there was any fun 
in anything that was said, Bill always 
got it, and never forgot it. When 
court was not in session, he still slip- 
ped off to town and would frequent 
the lawyers' offices and listen to 'em 
talk, and the brighter the talk, the 



faster Bill would chew his tobacco, and 
the brighter his little, merry eyes 
would sparkle. 

"He had the greatest reverence for 
Col. Johnston, his landlord, and always 
said he would rather belong to him 
than to be free; 'for,' said he, 'Mrs. 
Johnston throws away enough old 
clothes and vittles to support my chil- 
dren, and they are always nigh enough 
to pick 'em up.' 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



227 



"Bill Arp lived in Chulio district.* 
We had eleven districts in the county, 
and they had all such names as Pop- 
Skull, and Blue Gizzard, and Wolf- 
Skin, and Shake-Rag, and Wild-Cat, 
but Bill lived and reigned in Chulio. 
Every district had its best man in 
those days, and Bill was the 
best man in Chulio. He could 
out-run, out-jump, out-swim, out' 
rastle, out-ride, out-shoot anybody in 
Chulio, and was so far ahead that 
everybody else had given it up, and 
Bill reigned supreme. He put on no 
airs about this, and his neighbors were 
all his friends. 

"But there was another district ad- 
joining, and it had its best man, too. 
One Ben McGinnis ruled the boys of 
that beat, and after a while it began 
to be whispered around that Ben 
wasn't satisfied with his limited terri- 
tory, but would like to have a small 
tackle with Bill Arp. Ben was a pre- 
tentious man. He weighed about 165 
pounds, and was considered a regular 
bruiser; and he, too, like Bill Arp, had 
never been whipped. When Ben hit a 
man, it was generally understood that 
he meant business, and his adversary 
was hurt, badly hurt, and Ben was 
glad of it, and vain of it. But when 
Bill Arp hit a man he was sorry for 
him, and if he knocked him down, he 
would rather help him up and brush 
the dirt off his clothes than swell 
around in triumph. Fighting was not 
very common with either. The quicker 
a man whips a fight, the less often he 
has to do it, and both Ben and Bill 
had settled their standing most effec- 
tually. Bill was satisfied with his 
honors, but Ben was not, for there was 
many a Ransy Sniffle** who lived along 
the line between the districts and car- 
ried news from the one to the other, 
and made up the coloring, and soon 
it was norated around that Ben and 
Bill had to meet and settle it. 

"The court grounds of that day con- 
sisted of a little shanty and a shelf. 
The shanty had a dirt floor and a pun- 
cheon seat and a slab for the Squire's 
docket, and the shelf was outside for 
the whisky. The whisky was kept in 
a jug — a gallon jug — and that held 
just about enough for the day's busi- 
ness. Most everybody took a dram in 
those days, but very few took too 
much, unless, indeed, a dram was too 

'According to Miss Virginia C. Hardin, of 
Atlanta, Chulio was called after an Indian sub- 
chief who lies buried on the Stubbs place, ad- 
joining the Hardin plantation, near Kingston. 

**A busy-body character in Longstreet's 
"Georgia Scenes." 

***W. Frank Ayer, once Mayor of Rome. 



much. It was very uncommon to see 
a man drunk at a county court ground. 
Pistols were unknown, bowie-knives 
were unknown, brass knuckles and 
sling-shots were unknown, and all 
other devices that gave one man an 
artful advantage over another. The 
boys came there in their shirt sleeves 
and galluses, and if they got to quar- 
reling, they settled it according to na- 
ture. 

"When Col. Johnston, who was Bill 
Arp's landlord, and Maj. Ayer*** and 
myself got to Chulio, Bill Arp was 
there, and was pleasantly howdying 
with his neighbors, when suddenly we 
discovered Ben McGinnis trapoosing 
around, and every little crowd he got 
to, he would lean forward in an in- 
solent manner and say, 'Anybody here 
got anything agin Ben McGinnis? Ef 
they have, I golly, I'll give 'em five 
dollars to hit that; I golly, I dare any- 
body to hit that,' and he would point 
to his forehead with an air of defiance. 

"Bill Arp was standing by us, and 
I thought he looked a little more se- 
rious than I had ever seen him. Frank 
Ayer says to him, 'Bill, I see that 
Ben is coming around here to pick a 
fight with you, and I want to say 
that you have got no cause to quarrel 
with him, and if he comes, do you just 
let him come and go, that's all.' Col. 
Johnston says, 'Bill, he is too big for 
you, and your own beat knows you, 
and you haven't done anything against 
Ben, and so I advise you to let him 
pass— do you hear me?' 

"By this time. Bill's nervous system 
was all in a quiver. His face had an 
air of rigid determination, and he re- 
plied humbly, but firmly, 'Col. John- 




BEN McGINNIS. 



228 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




BILL ARP, OF CHULIO, TRIUMPHS OVER BEN M'GINNIS. 



stone, I love you, and I respect you, 
too; but if Ben McGinnis comes up 
here outen his beat, and into my beat, 
and me not havin' done nothin' agin 
him, and he dares me to hit him, I'm 
gwine to hit him, if it is the last 
lick I ever strike. I'm no phist puppy 
dog, sir, that he should come outen his 
deestrict to bully me.' 

"I've seen Bill Arp in battle, and he 
was a hero. I've seen him when shot 
and shell rained around him, and he 
was cool and calm, and the same old 
smile was on his features. I've seen 
him when his first-born was stricken 
down at Manassas, and he was near 
enough to see him fall headforemost 
to the foe, but I never have seen him 
as intensely excited as he was that 
moment when Ben McGinnis approach- 
ed us, and addressing himself to Bill 
Arp, said, 'I golly, I dare anybody to 
hit that!' 

"As Ben straightened himself up. 
Bill let fly with his hard, bony fist 
right in his left eye, and followed it 
up with another. I don't know how it 
was, and never will know; but I do 
know this, that in less than a second. 
Bill had him down and was on him, 
and his fists and his elbows and his 
knees seemed all at work. He after- 
ward said that his knees worked on 



Ben's bread basket, which he knew 
was his weakest part. Ben hollered 
enough in due time, which was con- 
sidered honorable to do, and all right, 
and Bill helped him up and brushed 
the dirt off his clothes, and said, 'Now, 
Ben, is it all over 'twixt you and me; 
is you and me all right?' And Ben 
said, 'It's all right 'twixt you and 
me. Bill; I give it up, and you are 
a gentleman.' Bill invited all hands 
up to the shelf, and they took a drink, 
and Bill paid for the treat as a gen- 
erous victor, and he and Ben were 
friends. 

"I was not at the big wrestle be- 
tween Bill Arp and Ike McCoy, and 
had heard so many versions of it that 
one night, while we were sitting 
around the camp fire in Virginia, I 
insisted on hearing it from Bill's own 
lips. Said he, 'Well, gentlemen (he 
always accented the vien) , my motto 
has been to never say die, as Ginrul 
Jackson said at the Battle of New Or- 
leans, and all things considered, I have 
had a power of good luck in my life. 
I don't mean money luck by no means, 
for most of my life I've been so ded 
pore that Lazarus would have resign- 
ed in my favor, but I've been in a 
heap of close places, and somehow al- 
ways come out right-side-up with care. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



229 



" 'You see, Ike McCoy was perhaps 
the best rasler in all Cherokee, and 
he just hankered after a chance to 
break a bone or two in my body. Now, 
you know I never hunted for a fight 
nor a fuss in my life, but I never 
dodged one. I didn't want a tilt with 
Ike, for my opinion was that he was 
the best man of the two, but I never 
said anything, but just trusted to luck. 

" 'We was both at the barbycu, and 
he put on a heap of airs, and strutted 
around with his shirt collar open clean 
down to his waist, and his hat cocked 
on one side of his head, as sassy as 
a Confederate quartermaster. He took 
a dram, and then stuffed himself full 
of fresh meat at dinner. Along in 
the evening it was norated around that 
Ike was going to banter me for a ras- 
sle, and shore enuf, he did. The boys 
were all up for some fun, and Ike 
got on a stump and hollered out, 'I'll 
bet ten dollars I can plaster the length 
of any man on the ground, and I'll 
give Bill Arp five dollars to take the 
bet!' 

" 'Of course, there was no gettin' 
around the like of that. The banter 
got my blood up, and so, without wait- 
in' for ceremony, I shucked myself and 
went in. The boys was all powerfully 
excited, and was a bettin' every dollar 
they could raise, and Bob Moore, the 
feller I had licked about a year before, 
said he'd bet twenty dollars to ten 
that Ike would knock the breath outen 
me the first fall. I borrowed the money 
from Col. Johnston, and walked over 
to him and said, 'I'll take that bet!'" 

" 'The river''' was right close to the 
spring, and the bank was purty steep. 
I had on an old pair of copprass 
britches that had been seined in and 
dried so often they was about half 
rotten. When we hitched, Ike took 
good britches-holt and lifted me up and 
down a few times like I was a child. 
He was the heaviest, but I had the 
most spring in me, and so I jest let 
him play around for some time, lim- 
ber like, until suddenly he took a no- 
tion to -make short work of it with one 
of his back-leg trip movements. He 
drawed me up to his body and lifted 
me into the air with a powerful twist. 
Jest at that minit his back was close 
to the river bank, and as my feet 
teched the ground, I give a tremendous 
jerk backwards and a shove forwards, 
and my britches split plum open in 
the back and tore clean offen my 
bread basket, and Ike fell from me 

* Etowah. 



backwards and tumbled down the bank 
into the river — kerchug! 

" 'Sich hollerin' as them boys done 
I reckon never was hearn before in 
all them woods. I jumped in and 
helped Ike out as he riz to the top. 
He had took in a quart or so of water 
right on top of his whisky and bar- 
bycu, and as he set upon the bank, 
it all come forth like a dost of ippe- 
cack. When he gotten over it he 
laughed sorter weakly and said Sally 
Ann told him afore he left home he 
had better let Bill Arp alone, for no- 
body could run against his luck. Ike 
always believed he would have thrown 
me if britches holt hadent broke, and 
I reckon he would. One thing is cer- 
tain; it cured Ike of braggin', and it 
cured Bob Moore of bettin', and that 
was a good thing.' 

"Bill was full of mischief and his 
indulgence in practical ' jokes some- 
times led him into trouble, but he al- 
ways managed to get out. Col. John- 
ston says that one time a young man 
stayed over night at his house, and 
had occasion to cross the ferry next 
morning. He was from Charleston, 




BILL ARP "LOW RATES" M'COY. 



230 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




THE YOUNG MAN FROM CHARLESTON. 



and had on a pair of fine boots and 
a fashionable hat and a white vest 
and kid gloves, and was altogether 
quite dandy-like in his appearance. Bill 
came over with the ferry boat and 
eyed the man with a look of surprise 
and contempt. The young man asked 
him if his boat was entirely safe, and 
insisted on having every drop of water 
bailed out for fear of muddying his 
boots. Bill showed great alacrity in 
complying, and when the boat was 
nearly across, and the young man was 
standing near the gunnel, looking 
down into the water, the long pole 
that Bill was managing came sudden- 
ly against his shoulders and keeled 
him overboard. Bill did not hesitate 
a moment, but jumped in after him, 
and quickly pulled him up into the 
boat again. The youth was dread- 
fully alarmed and grateful for his 
safe deliverance. He went back again 
to the Colonel's house for some dry 
clothes, but before he left he insisted 
on rewarding Bill for saving his life, 
but Bill modestly refused to receive 
anything. 

"When we went into camp near Ma- 
nassas, while Gen. Wm. M. Gardner, 
later of Eome, was in command, Bill 
took the general a lot of beautiful 
honey, which was highly appreciated, 
and while he was enjoying it at the 
breakfast table an old man came up 



and in pitiful language informed him 
how some soldiers came to his house 
last night and robbed him of all his 
honey, twelve hives in all, and they 
worth five dollars apiece, and now he 
was a ruint man, and the girls couldn't 
git no clothes, and the cofee was out, 
and the old 'oman was sick, and so 
forth. 

"The general was a West Pointer 
and a strict constructionist, and he 
was proud of his regiment; so that 
evening at dress parade he made them 
a nice little speech about a soldier's 
honor, and about this honey business, 
and wound up by saying that he didn't 
know who stole the honey, and didn't 
want to know, and he wasn't going to 
try to find out, but he wanted every 
man who was willing to help pay the 
old man for his loss to step five paces 
to the front. 

"Bill Arp was the first man to step 
out; he threw up his hat and hollered 
'Hurrah for Ginrul Gardner!' The 
whole regiment stepped forward and 
joined in cheers for their noble gen- 
eral, while Bill, without waiting for 
orders, went down the line with his 
hat, saying, 'Put in, boys, put in; the 
general is right; let's pay the old man 
and git the gals some clothes. I golly, 
the gals must have some clothes!' 

"They made up about ninety dollars 
and the old man was paid and went 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



231 



his way rejoicing, and the remainder 
of the fund was turned over to the 
hospital. 

"While in camp at Centerville dur- 
ing the bitter winter of 1861-2, the or- 
ders against contraband whisky were 
very strict, but still, the soldiers man- 
aged somehow to keep in pretty good 
spirits. One day a six-horse team from 
Page County drove into camp, loaded 
down with sixteen barrels of very fine 
apples. The hind gate was taken off 
and a barrel set down and the head 
knocked in, and the boys bought them 
quite freely. After a while another 
barrel was set down, and in course of 
time Col. Jno. R. Towers, another no- 
ble Roman, of the Miller Rifles, ob- 
served that Bill and some others were 
quite hilarious, and he suspected there 
was something wrong about that 
wagon, and procured an order from 
Gen. Sam Jones to examine it. On 
inspection he found there was a five 
gallon keg of apple brandy in each of 
six of the barrels, and the kegs were 
packed around with apples. The gen- 
eral ordered a confiscation. He sent a 
keg to each of the five regimental hos- 
pitals, and had the sixth keg sent to 
his tent and put under his cot. 

"Bill Arp did not seem to be pleased 
with the distribution, and wagged his 
head ominously. He was on the de- 
tail that was to guard the general's 
headquarters that night; and so, the 
next morning, when the general con- 
cluded to sample the brandy, and sent 
down for a few of us to come up and 
join him in a morning cocktail, he 
discovered that the keg was gone. Col. 
Towers was there, and sent for a list 
of the guard, and when he saw Bill 
Arp's name, he quietly remarked, *I un- 
derstand it now.' All doubts were re- 
moved; no search was made, for the 
general enjoyed the joke; but that 
night the keg was replaced under his 
cot with about half its original con- 
tents. Bill said he was always will- 
ing to 'tote fair and divide with his 
friends.' 

"This is enough of Bill Arp — the 
original simon pure. He was a good 
soldier in war, the wit and wag of 
the camp-fires, and made many a 
home-sick youth laugh away his mel- 
ancholy. He was a good citizen in 
peace. When told that his son was 
dead, he showed no surprise, but sim- 
ply said, 'Major, did he die all right?' 
When assured that he did, Bill wiped 
away a falling tear and said, 'I only 
wanted to tell his mother.' 

"You may talk about heroes and 



heroines. I have seen all sorts, and 
so has most everybody who was in 
the war, but I never saw a more de- 
voted heroine than Bill Arp's wife. 
She was a very humble woman, very, 
but she loved her husband with a love 
that was passing strange. I don't 
mean to say that any woman's love 
is passing strange, but I have seen 
that woman in town, three miles from 
her home, hunting around by night for 
her husband, going from one gi'ocery 
to another and in her kind, loving 
voice inquiring 'Is William here?' or 
'Do you know where William is?' 

"Blessings on that poor woman ! I 
have almost cried for her many a time. 
Poor William — hcJw she loved him! 
How tenderly would she take him 
when she found him, and lead him 
home, bathe his head and put him to 
bed. She always looked pleased and 
thankful when asked about him, and 
would say, 'He is a good little man, 
but you know he has his failings.' 

"She loved Bill and he loved her; he 

was weak and she was strong. There 

are some such women now, I reckon; 

I hope so. I know there are some 

such men." 

* * * 

"BIG JOHN" UNDERWOOD.— 
" 'Big John' was one of the earliest 
settlers of Rome, and one of her most 
notable men. For several years he 
was known by his proper name of 
John H. Underwood, but when John 
W. H. Underwood moved there, he was 
identified by his superior size and 
gradually lost his surname, and was 
known far and near as 'Big John.' 
Col. Jno. W. H. Underwood, who came 
to be distinguished as a member of 
Congress, and afterward as a judge, 
was a man of large physique, weigh- 
ing about 225 pounds, but 'Big John' 
pulled down the scales at a hundred 
pounds more, and had shorter arms 
and shorter legs, but his circumfer- 
ence was correspondingly immense. He 
was noted for his good humor. The 
best town jokes came from his jolly, 
fertile fancy, and his comments on 
men and things were always origi- 
nal, and as terse and vigorous as ever 
came from the brain of Dr. Johnson. 
He was a diamond in the rough. He 
had lived a pioneer among the Indians 
of the Cherokee, and it was said fell 
in love with an Indan maid, the daugh- 
ter of old Testenuggee, a limited chief, 
and never married because he could 
not marry her. But if his disappoint- 
ment preyed upon his heart, it did 
not prey upon the region that enclosed 
it, for he continued to expand his pro- 



232 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



portions. He was a good talker and 
earnest laugher. Whether he laugh- 
ed and grew fat, or grew fat and 
laughed, the doctors could not tell ; 
which was cause and which was ef- 
fect is still in doubt, but I have heard 
the wise men affirm that laughing was 
the fat man's safety valve, that if he 
did not laugh and shake and vibrate 
frequently, he would grow fatter and 
fatter until his epidermic cuticle could 
not contain his oleaginous corporosity. 
Dr. Chisolm, of Charleston, is said to 
have put this . matter beyond all dis- 
pute, for he had seen a fat man 
weighed but a few hours before Ar- 
temus Ward lectured in that city, .and 
this fat man laughed so hard and so 
continuously at Ward's wit that he 
overdone the thing, and died in his 
seat. The coroner sat upon him, and 
the doctor weighed him and found he 
had lost eighteen pounds of flesh that 
night — laughed it away, which would 
seem to settle the vexed question. 

"Big John had no patience with the 
war, and when he looked upon the 
boys strutting around in uniform and 
fixing up their canteens and haver- 
sacks, he seemed as much disgusted as 
astonished. He sat in his big chair 
on the sidewalk in front of his gro- 
cery and liquor shop, and would re- 
mark, 'I don't see any fun in the like 
of that. Somebody is going to be hurt, 
and fightin' don't prove anything. 
Some of our best people in this town 
are kin to them fellers up North, and 
I don't see any sense in tearing up 
families by a fight.' He rarely looked 
serious or solemn, but the pending 
fight seemed to settle him. 'Boys,' said 
he, 'I hope to God this thing will be 
fixed up without a fight, for fighting 
is mighty bad business, and I never 
knowed it to do any good.' 

"Big John had had a little war ex- 
perience — that is, he had volunteered 
in a company to drive the Creeks and 
Cherokees to the far west in 1833, 
just 50 years ago. It was said that 
he was no belligerent then, but want- 
ed to give the Indian maiden he loved 
a safe transit, and so he escorted the 
old chief and his clan as far as Tus- 
cumbia, and then broke down and re- 
turned to Ross's Landing on the Ten- 
nessee River. He was too heavy to 
march, and when he arrived at the 
landing, a prisoner was put in his 
charge for safe-keeping. Ross's Land- 
ing is Chattanooga now, and John 
Ross once lived there, and was one 
of the chiefs of the Cherokees. The 
prisoner was Ross's guest, and his 
name was John Howard Payne. He 



was suspected of trying to instigate 
the Cherokees to revolt and fight, and 
not leave their beautiful forest homes 
on the Tennessee and Coosa and Oosta- 
naula and Etowah and Connasauga 
rivers. He brought Payne back as 
far as New Echota, or New Town, as 
it was called, an Indian settlement on 
the Coosawattee, a few miles east of 
Calhoun, as now known. There he 
kept the author of 'Home, Sweet 
Home' under guard, or on his parole 
of honor, for three weeks, and night 
after night slept with him in his tent, 
and listened to his music upon the 
violin, and heard him sing his own 
sad songs until orders came for his 
discharge, and Payne started afoot on 
his way to Washington. He said Payne 
was much of a gentleman. 

"Many a time have I heard Big John 
recite his sad adventures. 'It was a 
most distressive business,' said he. 
'Them Injuns was heart-broken. I al- 
ways knowed an Injun loved his hunt- 
ing-ground and his rivers, but I never 
knowed how much they loved 'em be- 
fore. You know, they killed Ridge 
for consentin' to the treaty. They kill- 
ed him on the first day's march and 
they wouldn't bury him. We soldiers 
had to stop and dig a grave and put 
him away. John Ross and Ridge were 
the sons of two Scotchmen who came 
over here when they were young men 
and mixed up with these tribes and 
got their good will. These two boys 
were splendid looking men, tall and 
handsome, with long auburn hair, and 
they were active and strong, and could 
shoot a bow equal to the best bow- 
man of the tribe, and they beat 'em 
all to pieces on the cross-bow. They 
married the daughters of the old 
chiefs, and when the old chiefs died 
they just fell into line and succeeded 
to the old chiefs' places, and the tribes 
liked 'em mighty well, for they were 
good men and made good chiefs. 

" 'Well, you see, Ross didn't like the 
treaty. He said it wasn't fair, that 
the price of the territory was too low, 
and the fact is, he didn't want to go 
at all. There are the ruins of his old 
home over there now in DeSoto, close 
to Rome, and I tell you. Re was a king. 
His word was the law of the Injun 
nations, and he had their love and re- 
spect. His half-breed children were 
the purtiest things I ever saw in my 
life. 

" 'Well, Ridge lived up the Oosta- 
naula River about a mile, and he was 
a good man, too. Ross and Ridge al- 
ways consulted about everything that 
was for the good of the tribes, but 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



233 




"BIG JOHN" UNDERWOOD'S RETURN TO ROME AFTER THE WAR. 



Ridge was a more milder man than 
Ross, and was more easily persuaded 
to sign the treaty that gave the lands 
to the state, and to take other lands 
away out in Mississippi. You see, our 
state owned the territory then clean 
out to the Mississippi River. 

" 'Well, when the whole thing 
seemed to be settled with the chiefs, 
we found that the Injuns wasn't go- 
in' to move. We couldn't get 'em 
started. They raised a howl all over 
the settlements. It was just like the 
mourners at a camp meeting. The 
families would just set about and 
mourn. They wouldn't eat nor sleep, 
and the old squaws would sway back- 
wards and forwards and mourn, and 
nobody could get 'em up. 

" 'Well, it took us a month to get 
'em all together and begin the march 
to the Mississippi, and they wouldn't 
march then. The women would go out 
of line and set down in the woods and 
go to grieving, and you may believe it 
or not, but I'll tell you what is a fact: 
we started for Tuscumbia with 14,000 
and 4,000 of 'em died before we got 
to Tuscumbia. They died on the side 
of the road; they died of broken 
hearts; they died of starvation, for 
they wouldn't eat a thing. They just 
died all along the way. We didn't 
make more than five miles a day on 
the march, and my company didn't do 
much but dig graves and bury Injuns 
all the way to Tuscumbia. They died 
of grief and broken hearts, and no 
mistake. 

" 'An Injun's heart is tender and his 
love is strong; it's his natur. I'd a 
rather risk an Injun for a true friend 
than a white man. He is the best 
friend in the world and the worst 
enemy. He has got more gratitude 
and more revenge in him than any- 
body. I remember that Dick Juhan 
swindled an Injun out of his pony, and 



that night the Injun stepped up to 
Vann's Valley and stole the pony out 
of the stable and carried him off, and 
Dick followed him next day and 
caught him and tied him, and brought 
him up to old Livingston before a 
magistrate. I was there and took the 
Injun's part and got him discharged; 
and he kept his pony, and he was so 
grateful to me that I couldn't get rid 
of him. He just followed me about 
like a nigger and waited on me; hunt- 
ed for me and brought me squirrels 
and deer and turkeys, and when time 
came for 'em all to go west, he hung 
around camp and wouldn't leave me. 
When I left him at Tuscumbia, he 
cried and moaned and took on, and I 
don't reckin he ever got to the prom- 
ised land.' 

"Big John was a stout and active 
man, considering his weight. He was 
patriotic, too, and when he found that 
the fight had to come, he came up 
manfully to the cause and declared he 
was ready to join a buggy regiment 
and fight until they plugged him, 
which they were sure to do, he said, 
if they pinted any ways down South. 
When Joe Brown called for state vol- 
unteers, he responded promptly, and 
seemed proud that he was in the line 
of military service, and was enrolled 
on the Governor's staff. He said that 
he couldn't march, but he could set 
on one of the hills around Rome and 
guard the ramparts. 

"Nevertheless, notwithstanding, it 
so turned out that old Joe got fight- 
ing mad after while and ordered all 
his staff and his militia to the front, 
and Big John had to go. The view- 
he took of his new departure in mili- 
tary strategy will appear in the sequel, 
and also his remarkable retreat be- 
fore the foul invader when Sherman 
took the Hill City and dispersed the 
home guard to remoter regions. 



234 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



"Big John is dead. The last time 
I saw him he had lost his fat, and 
his old clothes were a world too big 
for him. He said he was juicing away 
so as to fit a respectable coffin and 
save a winding sheet or two in his 
shrouding. He owed no man anything 
and no man owed him a grudge. Fat 
men die like lean ones, but they rare- 
ly die fat. Their fat is their vitality. 
Fat men are generally good men, kind 
men, peaceable men, and they are 
honest. Their fat makes them good- 
natured, and their good nature keeps 
them from swindling or cheating any- 
body. If I was thrown among 
strangers and wanted a favor, I would 
pass by all lean and hungi-y strangers 
and sit down by the biggest, roundest 
man I saw. 

"Big John's special comfort was a 
circus. He never missed one, and it 
was a good part of the show to see 
him laugh and shake and spread his 
magnificent face. I saw the clown 
run from the ring-master's whip and 
take refuge close by Big John, and as 
he looked up in his face he said, 'You 
are my friend, ain't you?' and Big 
John smiled all over as he replied. 
'Why, yes, of course I am.' 'Well,' 
then,' said the clown, 'if you are my 
friend, please lend me a half a dol- 
lar.' The crowd yelled tumultuously 
as Big John handed over the coin, 
and the joke of it was worth half a 
dollar to him. 

"Big John took no pleasure in the 
quarrels of mankind, and never back- 
ed a man in a fight, but when two 
dogs locked teeth, or two bulls locked 
horns, or two game chickens locked 
spurs, he always liked to be about. 
'It is their natur to fight,' said he, 
'and let 'em fight.' He took delight 
in watching dogs and commenting on 
their sense and dispositions. He com- 
pared them to the men about town, 
and drew some humorous analogies. 
'There is Jimmy Jones,' said he, 'who 
ripped and plunged around because 
Georgia wouldn't secede in a minute 
and a half, and he swore he was go- 
in' over to South Calliny to fight; and 
when Georgia did secede shore enuf he 
didn't jine the army at all, and always 
had some cussed excuse, and when con- 
scription come along, he got on a de- 
tail to make potash, con-ding 'im, and 
when that played out he got a couple 
of track dogs and got detailed to 
ketch runaway prisoners. Just so I've 
seen dogs run up and down the fence 
palings like they was dyin' to get to 
one nuther, and so one day I picked 
up my dog by the nap of the neck 



and dropped him over on the outside. 
I never knowed he could jump that 
fence before, but he bounced back like 
an Injun rubber ball, and the other 
dog streaked it do\vn the sidewalk 
like the dickens was after him. Dogs 
are like folks and folks are like dogs, 
and a heap of 'em want the palings 
between. 

" 'Jack Bogin used to strut around 
and whip the boys in his beat, and 
kick 'em awful, because he knew he 
could do it, for he had the most mus- 
sle ; but he couldn't look a brave man 
in the eye, mussle or no mussle, and 
I've seen him shut up quick when he 
met one. A man has got to be right 
to be brave, and I'd rather see a bully 
get a lickin' than to eat sugar!'" 

Author's Note — The above highly 
interesting and entertaining account 
contains a number of historical er- 
rors, particularly with regard to John 
Howard Payne and the Indians, 
against which the history lover should 
guard himself. It is well to remember 
that Big John was apt to depai't now 
and then from the path of historic 
rectitude. 

^ ^ ^ 

"BILL ARP" TO "ABE LINK- 
HORN."— Ma j. Chas. H. Smith wrote 
a saucy open letter from Rome to 
Abraham Lincoln at Washington on 
the eve of the opening of the Civil 
War. It was this letter which caused 
him to write thereafter under the pen 
name of "Bill Arp." The original Bill 
Arp happening along, Maj. Smith said, 
"This letter is so hot, I don't know 
whose name to sign to it!" Arp said: 
"Them's my sentiments. Major; just 
sign mine." And he did. The letter 
was widely copied and made Major 
Smith famous and uncomfortable as 
well. Here it is:" 

"Rome, Ga., Aprile, 1861. 

"Mr. Linkhorn, Sur: These are to 
inform you that we are all well, and 
hope these lines may find you in statue 
ko. We received your proklamation, 
and as you have put us on very short 
notis, a few of us boys have conklud- 
ed to write you, and ax for a little 
more time. "The fact is, we are most 
obleeged to have a few more days, for 
the way things are happening, it is 
utterly onpossible for us to disperse 
in twenty days. Old Virginny, and 
Tennessee and North Carolina are con- 
tinually aggravatin' us into tumults 
and carousements, and a body can't 
disperse until you put a stop to sich 

♦From Bill Arp's "Peace Papers." 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



235 




WHEREIN MAJOR SMITH TRIES HIS HAND AT FARMING. 
When "Bill Arp" emerged from the war, all he had was a bolt of cotton 
cloth and a hunk of gum opium, which he quickly swapped for food. He tried to 
raise vegetables for a while, and here he is seen turning a few furrows. His 
boys are enjoying the sport, and the eldest advises him to keep at the law. 



onruly konduct on their part. I tried 
my darndest yisterday to disperse and 
retire, but it was no go; and besides, 
your marshal here isn't doing a darn- 
ed thing — he don't read the riot act, 
nor remonstrate, nor nothing, and 
ought to be turned out. If you con- 
klude to do so, I am authorized to 
rekummend to you Col. Gibbons or 
Mr. McLung, who would attend to 
the bizness as well as most anybody. 
"The fact is, the boys round here 
want watchin, or they'll take sumthin. 



A few days ago I heard they surround- 
ed two of our best citizens, because 
they was named Fort and Sumter. 
Most of 'em are so hot that they fair- 
ly siz when you pour water on 'em, 
and that's the way they make up their 
military companies here now — when a 
man applies to jine the volunteers, 
they sprinkle him, and if he sizzes, 
they take him, and if he don't they 
don't. 

"Mr. Linkhorn, sur, privately speak- 
in, I'm afeered I'll git in a tite place 



236 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



here among these bloods, and have to 
slope out of it, and I would like to 
have your Scotch cap and kloak that 
you traveled in to Washington. I sup- 
pose you wouldn't be likely to use the 
same disgize agin, when you left, and 
therefore I would propose to swap. I 
am five feet five, and could git my 
plow breeches and coat to you in eight 
or ten days if you can wait that long. 
I want you to write me immegitly 
about things generally, and let us 
know whereabouts you intend to do 
your fitin. Your proklamation says 
somethin about taking possession of 
all the private property at 'All Haz- 
ards.' We can't find no such place on 
the map. I thot it must be about 
Charleston, or Savannah, or Harper's 
Ferry, but they say it ain't anywhere 
down South. One man said it was a 
little Faktory on an iland in Lake 
Champlain, where they make sand 
bags. My opinun is that sand bisness 
won't pay, and it is a great waste of 
money. Our boys here carry there 
sand in there gizzards, where it keeps 
better, and is always handy. I'm 
afeered your government is givin you 
and your kangaroo a great deal of on- 
necessary trubbul, and my humble ad- 
vice is, if things don't work out bet- 
ter soon, you'd better grease it, or 
trade the darned old thing off. I'd 
show you a slite-of-hand trick that 
would change the whole concern into 
buttons quick. If you don't trade or 
do sumthin with it soon, it will spile 
or die on your hands, sertain. 

"Give my respects to Bill Seward 
and the other members of the Kanga- 
roo. What's Hannibal doin? I don't 
hear anything from him nowadays. 

"Yours, with care, 

"BILL ARP." 

"P. S. — If you can possibly extend 
that order to 30 days, do so. We have 
sent you a check at Harper's Ferry 
(who keeps that darnd old ferry now? 
It's givin us a heap of trubble), but 
if you positively won't extend, we'll 
send you a check drawn by Jeff Da- 
vis, Borygard endorser, payable on 
sight anywhere. 

"Yours, 

"B. A." 

* * * 

"BILL ARP" AND THE LOT- 
TERY. — We publish in another col- 
umn a letter from the managers of a 
lottery establishment in Baltimore to 
Chas. H. Smith, Esq., of this place, 
and his reply. . . The public owes 
Mr. Smith a debt of gratitude for ex- 
posing this iniquitous scheme. 



( Correspondence. ) 
"Gilbert & Co., Bankers and Brok- 
ers and General Agents for the Dela- 
ware State Lotteries. 

"Baltimore, Md., Jan. 10, 1860. 
"C. H. Smith, Esq., 
"Rome, Ga. 

"Dear Sir: We take the liberty to 
enclose you a scheme of the Delaware 
State Lottery, for which we are gen- 
eral agents, our object being to try 
and sell you a prize so as to ci'eate 
an excitement in your locality that 
will tend to inci'ease our business. 
With this end in view, we offer you 
the preference to purchase a very fine- 
ly arranged package of 25 tickets, 
which we have selected in the lottery 
drawing Feb. 11, Class 72. This pack- 
age gives you the advantage of $31.25 
worth of tickets for the cost of only 
$20; and to convince you of our con- 
fidence in its success, we will guaran- 
tee you another package of our extra 
lotteries free of charge if the above 
fails to draw a prize, the lowest be- 
ing $200 (see full scheme within). We 
make this offer in good faith, with 
a desire to sell you the Capital, $37,- 
000. Should you think favorably of 
it, enclose us $20, and the package 
will be sent by return mail, the re- 
sult of which we confidently think will 
be satisfactory to you. 

"Yours truly, 

"GILBERT & CO." 
"(This is confidential.)" 

"Messrs. Gilbert & Co., Gents.: I 
acknowledge receipt of your kind let- 
ter of the 10th. I send you my note 
for $20, instead of the cash, as it will 
save exchange, and there is really no 
necessity of sending money to Balti- 
more and having it sent back again in 
a few days. This arrangement, I 
confidently think, will be satisfactory 
to you, for it is done in good faith. 

"I really feel under many obliga- 
tions that you have chosen me as the 
object of your liberality and do assure 
you that when that $37,000 prize comes 
to hand, the excitement which it will 
raise in this community will swallow 
up and extinguish the John Brown 
raid, and you will sell more tickets 
here than traveling circuses and mon- 
key shows take off in 20 years. This 
is a good locality for such an experi- 
ment, for there is a vast number of 
clever people who are in the habit 
of racking their brains to devise some 
way to get money without working for 
it, and I know very well that when 
they are satisfied they can do so 



Anecdotes and Reminsicences 



237 



through your com,pany, they will 
cheerfully give you that preference 
which you have shown to me. 

"Our court is now in session, and I 
very much regret you are not here to 
lay your proposition before our Grand 
Jury, for I have no doubt they would 
properly appreciate it, and out of grat- 
itude board you a while at public ex- 
pense. Our legislature, in its genero- 
sity, passed a special act, (which may 
be found in the 11th division of the 
Penal Code) to compensate such hon- 
orable gentlemen as you seem to be. 

"You are hereby authorized to de- 
duct the $20 and send the remainder 
to me by Adams & Company's Ex- 
press. 

"CHAS. H. SMITH." 

"(This is confidential.)" 

"P. S. — A friend of mine has just 
shown me a letter from your firm to 
him, making him the same proposition 
which you have made to me; and he 
professed some suspicion, but I as- 
sured him that you knew we were in- 
timate friends, and that we would di- 
vide the prize between us, or you 
thought that possibly one of us might 
be away from home. 

"C. H. S." 

"P. S. No. 2— As I was about to 
mail this, another friend confided to 
me a similar letter to him. I am at 
a loss to know how to satisfy him. 
Please give me the dots. 

"C. H. S." 
THE NOTE. 

"$20 — On demand I promise to pay 
Gilbert & Co. twenty dollars, provid- 
ed the finely-arranged package of 
tickets which they have selected for 
me draws a prize of not less than 
$200. 

"CHAS. H. SMITH." 
— Tri-Weekly Courier, Jan. 17, 1860. 
* * * 

"BILL ARP" ON ROME.— (By J. 
D. McCartney, in Rome Tribune-Her- 
ald, July 21, 1920).— Mrs. Harriet 
Connor Stevens came up from Cave 
Spring the other day and brought me 
some papers that had been the prop- 
erty of the lamented Prof. Wesley 0. 
Connor, her father. They are very 
interesting. One of them contains a 
speech of Samuel J. Tilden made in 
September of 18G8 that is well worth 
reading today. The others are the 
last issue of the Rome Courier and the 
first issue of the Tribune of Rome, 
bearing date of Oct. 2, 1887. 



I shall have more to say about 
those papers from time to time, but 
the subject of today's sketch is an ar- 
ticle in the "Southerner and Commer- 
cial," a tri-weekly bearing date of 
April 10, 1870. It is entitled "Ancient 
History of Modern Rome," and is from 
the talented pen of Major Chas. H. 
Smith ("Bill Arp"). Older Romans de- 
lighted to read Bill Arp's writings and 
I am sure the younger generation, too, 
will enjoy the style as well as the sub- 
stance of his words about the begin- 
nings of Rome, quotations from which 
follow : 

"In the year 1832, the county of 
Floyd was laid off by the government 
surveyors, and in 1833 the county site 
was fixed at Livingston (a place about 
12 miles distant, and situated near 
the South bank of the Coosa). A few 
houses wei-e built and one court held 
there by Judge John W. Hooper. About 
this time a number of the fortunate 
drawers in the land lottery were seek- 
ing to take forcible possession of the 
very homes of the Indians. Judge 
Hooper did not deem this just until 
the Indians were paid for their im- 
provements, and he therefore granted 
many bills of injunction at the in- 
stance of Judge Wm. H. Underwood, 
the leading counsel for the tribe. 

"In the year 1834 a Rome town com- 
pany was formed, consisting of Z. B. 
Hargrove, Philip W. Hemphill, Wm. 
Smith and D. R. Mitchell. The upper 
portion of the town was surveyed and 
laid off into town lots. Favorable 
propositions were made by the com- 
pany to the county authorities, and 
Rome was made the county site in 
1835. The frames of some of the first 
houses erected were brought up from 
Livingston on keel boats, one of them 
occupied by Dr. G. W. Holmes, and 
another by Col. Sam Gibbons. The old- 
est house in the place is a small tene- 
ment next above the fire engine house. 
The first court was held by Judge 
Owen H. Kenan in a log cabin 16x18, 
erected on Academy Hill, and the 
grand jury held their first session in 
a lime sink a few rods distant. The 
diligence and energy of the town com- 
pany, and the many advantages of the 
location, soon began to attract men of 
education and means and commercial 
influence. In a short time Rome be- 
came a market for a considerable ex- 
tent of territory. Many of those who 
co-operated in giving vitality and im- 
petus to the place are long since dead 
and gone, but as long as Rome has a 
record, the names of John H. Lump- 
kin, William Smith, Dennis Hills, Jobe 



238 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Rogers and James M. Sumter will be 
remembered when her early history is 
recalled. 

"In the days of these pioneers, Rome 
was but a hamlet. From a single 
point a school boy's bow could send 
an arrow beyond the farthest house. 
All that portion of the city now known 
as 'down town' was a stately forest of 
aged oaks, and the best society of 
Howard Street were the owls who 
hooted from their hollows. Until about 
the year 1850, Mr. Norton's store was 
the extreme Southern boundary of all 
improvements. The first hotel was kept 
by Francis Burke, in the house now 
occupied by Dr. Holmes. Not long 
after, James McEntee built and kept 
up a public house for many years. 
His blunt Scotch ancestry made him a 
universal favorite, and we are glad 
to know that he still lives near us in 
the enjoyment of good health. The 
hotel built by him is now known as 
the residence of Dr. J. B. Undei-wood. 
Euclid Waterhouse, a man well known 
in commercial circles, opened the first 
store in the place. Nathan Yarbrough, 
Judge Lamberth and David Rounsaville 
were his competitors in the mercantile 
business. 

"Wm. Smith was the first sheriff 
of the county. In the year 1834 he 
had to perform the unpleasant duty 
of hanging two Indians, Barney Swim- 
mer and Terrapin, found guilty of the 
murder of Ezekiel Blatchford (or 
Braselton). He represented this coun- 
ty in both branches of the General As- 
sembly. He was defeated for re-elec- 
tion because of his bold and strenuous 
exertions to change the projected 
route of the Western & Atlantic 
(state) railroad between Chattanooga 
and Atlanta so as to include Rome. 
He was a man of wonderful energy 
and foresight, and it is universally 
conceded that he did more than any 
other person to insure the progress 
and prosperity of the little city. It 
was chiefly his influence that made 
Rome the county site; his urgent ef- 
forts that caused the building of the 
first steamboat, that projected the 
first railroad (the Rome), and that in- 
duced the coming of such men as Col. 
Alfred Shorter, A. M. Sloan, Wm. E. 
Alexander, John H. Lumpkin and 
others of like means and spirit. He 
died in 1850, and, as is too often the 
case, before the happy results of his 
foresight and energy were fully real- 
ized. 

"J. T. Riley and wife were the first 
couple married and now live in the 
town. Col. A. T. Hardin and Morris 



Marks are the old merchants who are 
still engaged in that occupation. Judge 
Kenan was succeeded by the following 
judges, in the order named: Turner 
H. Trippe, George D. Wright, John W. 
Hooper, John H. Lumpkin, Leander W. 
Crook, Dennis T. Hammond, L. H. 
Featherston, J. W. H. Underwood and 
Francis A. Kirby. John Townsend was 
the first foreman of the first grand 
jury, and the first bill of indictment 
found was against the Indians Choosa- 
kelqua and Teasalaka, charged with 
assault with intent to murder. 

"From the year 1840 Rome con- 
tinued to make substantial progress. 
In the year 1845 a steamboat was 
b.uilt at Greensport, Ala., by Capt. 
John Lafferty. For months the rude 
settlers in the adjacent counties had 
heard of the 'varmint,' as they called 
it, and when the time came for its 
first trip to the junction at Rome, the 
scattered inhabitants gathered in 
camps along the banks to see the 'var- 
mint' go. When it did come, it was 
to these rude settlers a show equal 
to a circus. At one point, more than 
100 people had congregated, the men 
all wearing coon-skin caps with coons' 
tails hanging down their backs. One 
very consequential and 'highly-educat- 
ed' patriarch. Squire Bogan, of Cedar 
Bluff, Ala., stood forward to make a 
reconnoisance and give the crowd the 
benefit of his vast learning. He saw 
the large letters 'U. S. M.' painted on 
the wheelhouse, and underneath them 
the letters Coosa. He spelled it over 
carefully, letter by letter, in a loud 
tone of voice, and after a third ef- 
fort, declared: 'I've got it, boys. Its 
name is Use 'em Susy!' The 'var- 
mint' never got rid of this nom de 
plume. In the course of time, other 
steamboats were built, and a branch 
road from Kingston to Rome project- 
ed. 

"Even the newspapers adopted the 
name. Bill Ramey and Tom Perry 
built a little boat that they said could 
snake its way through any shoal when 
the rivers were not a foot deep. In 
fact, Ramey used to swear his craft 
could run on dry land if there was 
a thick fog or heavy dew. 

"From the days of steamboats and 
railroads the history of our city is too 
familiar to be rehearsed, but I will 
venture to remind you in closing these 
remarks that the lamps which have lit 
her pleasing progress have not always 
been brightly burning. There have 
been shadows, and still are shadows, 
which set in mourning the happy pros- 
perity of our city. Dark lines are 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



239 



drawn around, and the stricken heart 
beats sadly the knell of our heroic 
dead. Noble sons, husbands and fath- 
ers are missing— missing- from here 
tonight. They have been long missing 
from the fireside and the forum, from 
the farm, the shop and the counting 
room, from court, church and hall." 

* * * 

Pi'^^^^ ABOUT WANTED. -A 
Floyd County farmer, attacked by his 

TJhZ' ^""i"^' ^^^^"ded himse f 
and badly wounded the dog. The irate 
neighbor id: "if you had to use 
that pitchfork, why didn't you go at 
him with the other end?" The fSmer 

Sih 'Zl^ '^^!]'^ he coiS: at 4 
with the other end of him?" 

* * * 

hI^RT^^^I? GEORGIA SWEET- 
nii>AKr.— In the Lucian Knight Geor- 

founS'^'T"^ ^''}' ^"d elsewhere s 
nvn W "h"*/"""^'^ romantic story of 
Civil War days and before in which 
a Roman played an important part 
Marcellus A, Stovall, of Augusta, Lter 
Tr -^T^l '" ^^36 had entered ithe 

West^'poinf'^ f^^'l'^'^ Academy at 
West Point and chosen as roommate 

J Tecumseh Sherman, an eae-le- 

Cadet ^%i "^n '' ^^'""^ Mansfield? O. 
Cadet Stovall was a brother of Miss 
Cecelia Stovall, a noted Georgia belle 
ro"\e'r'"h^Vr^' presently on^'a vi ! 

Imn^tih ''^^^'''^ ^""^"^^ ^ favorite 
among the dancing set at the academy. 

In the forefront of her admirers 
stood young Sherman, who did not 

that he"^'''' 'T'^^ r' °f the fa?t 
friend L,^.' ^'''' brother's bosom 
11 lend, and it was whispered that the 
Ohioan, highly diffident towaid the 

blvonf h^"^ .^^'-^'.^^^ beersmitten 
beyond hope of redemption by the 
dark-eyed girl from Georgia. The his 

When he was diplomatically sparrine 
for a snug place in Miss CeceHa's af 
fections (It may have been a straight- 
out proposal), she said quite franfly 

Ji7T' ^^^^ ^""^ '° '^^^d ^"d cruel. I 
pity the man who ever becomes your 

an efemy!" ' ''" "°" "°"^^ '^^"^^ 

^ To which he replied gallantly. 
Even though you were my enemy, my 
dear I would love you and protect 
you. 

Joseph Hooker, of Massachusetts, a 
graduate of West Point in the class 
of 1837, was another who claimed 
many dances with Miss Cecelia and 
whose heart sank within him when 
she returned to her Southern home. 



Still another was handsome Richard B 
Garnett, a West Point graduate in 
charge of the arsenal at Augusta, 
whose geographical position gave hini 
a decided advantage over the others 
and who got to the point of acceptance 
of his proposal. However, parental 
objection was raised, and Dick Gar- 
nett went to his death at Gettysburg 
in 18C3 with the image of lovely Ce- 
celia Stovall graven on his heart; he 
had never married, and when the 
Grim Reaper cut him down he was a 
general and one of the bravest men in 
the army of Northern Virginia. 

It may have been a coincidence that 
Wm. T. Sherman, then a lieutenant, 
was assigned in 1845 to detached duty 
at this same arsenal at Augusta; he 
may have wanted to see his old room- 
mate, but more than likely he pined 
for sight of Miss Cecelia. However, 
if he sang the old love song over again, 
her answer was the same, and here was 
one citadel, at least, that an irrepres- 
sible West Pointer could not take by 
storm. 

So with Dick Garnett, a noble son 
of old Virginia, who could trace his 
ancestry back to Adam; but he was 
on a salary that would little more 
than care for two. Miss Cecelia's 




GKN. MARCELLUS A. STOVALL, roommate 
at West Point of Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, who 
became the sweetheart of Miss Cecelia Sto- 
vall. 



240 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



proud parent, Pleasant Stovall, once 
a resident of Athens, desired that she 
should marry a man of wealth and in- 
fluence. She was forbidden the pleas- 
ure of young Garnett's company and 
sent to visit relatives in South Caro- 
lina. There she met Capt. Chas. Shell- 
man, whose suit was favored by daugh- 
ter and parent, and so they were mar- 
ried. 

Lieut. Sherman's stay in Augusta 
terminated abruptly; in 1850 he mar- 
ried _ his adopted father's daughter, 
Nellie Ewing, and his biographer re- 
corded many years later that she was 
his "first love." Marcellus A. Stovall 
moved to Rome in 1846, and he was 
soon joined by his young half-brother, 
George T. Stovall, who became asso- 
ciate editor of the Rome Courier and 
was killed at First Manassas. Here 
the beautiful sister visited them often. 

In 1861 Capt. Chas. Shellman built 
for his Augusta princess the mansion 
on the Etowah River, near Carters- 
ville, known as "Shellman Heights." 
Three more years passed, until Sher- 
man's army of human locusts swept 
down from Chattanooga, trampled on 
Rome and continued into Bartow 
County. As the torch brigade set fire 
to this establishment and that. Gen. 
Sherman's attention was directed by 
a fellow officer to a fine mansion on a 
hill. "Looks like the palatial retreat 
of an old plantation grandee," re- 
m.arked this personage. Sherman and 
his staff went to the place and ad- 
mired its Colonial columns and its at- 
mosphere throughout. An old negro 
mammy sat on the front steps moan- 
ing her life away. "Oh, Ginrul, whut 
yo' gwme do? I sholy is glad Missus 
Cecelia ain't here to see it wid her own 
eyes!" 

"Miss Cecelia?" queried Gen. Sher- 
man, as the little hob-goblins began to 
prance around his memory chest. "Who 
lives here, auntie?" 

"Missus Shellman,— Ceclia Stovall 
Shellman, sur, an' she's gone away 
now, bless her politeness!" 

"My God!" exclaimed the warrior. 
"Can it be possible?" 

Momentarily he bowed his head, a 
lump formed in his throat, he swal- 
lowed hard and his eyes became moist. 
On learning from the old woman that 
Mrs. Shellman had sought safety in 
flight. Gen. Sherman ordered his plun- 
dering soldiers to restore everything 
they had taken, and he placed a guard 
to protect the premises. Then he said, 
"Auntie, you get word to your mis- 
tress that she will be perfectly safe in 



returning here, and when you see her, 
do you hand her this card "from me." 

On his card Gen. Sherman had writ- 
ten, "You once said I would crush an 
enemy, and you pitied my foe. Do you 
recall my reply? Although many years 
have passed, my answer is the same 
now as then, 'I would ever shield and 
protect you.' That I have done. For- 
give me all else. I am only a soldier, 

"W, T. SHERMAN." 

Later came Gen, Joseph Hooker, 
soon to be cited for bravery in the Bat- 
tle of Atlanta. Learning the situa- 
tion, he repeated the orders of Gen. 
Sherman, shed a tear over a boxwood 
hedge and departed on the chase which 
was the forerunner of the famous 
March to the Sea. 

The armies gone. Miss Cecelia re- 
turned to Shellman Heights, gazed out 
over the winding Etowah, and breath- 
ed a prayer and a poem to friendship. 
There she passed the rest of her days. 
On Jan. 1, 1911, fire took Shellman 
Heights, uninsured, and today the spot 
is but a shadow of its former self, but 
it will always live in memory. 

When Gen. Sherman approached Au- 
gusta from Savannah, the Augustans 
took their cotton out of the ware- 
houses and burned it, anticipating that 
he would destroy everything when he 
arrived, and preferring to do a part of 
it themselves. The surprise of every- 
body was great, therefore, when Gen. 
Sherman made a detour across the 
Savannah River into South Carolina 
and left their beautiful city unmolest- 
ed. There may have been military 
reasons, but Augusta folk to this day 
declare he spared the town because it 
had been the home of the heroine of 
his romance at West Point. 

In 1915, faithful to a promise he 
had made to Miss Cecelia and to him- 
self, old Uncle Josiah Stovall, the fam- 
ily slave and master's bodyguard, turn- 
ed up at the G. A. R. reunion at 
Washington to thank Gen. Sherman 
for sparing the home. This old "Ches- 
terfield in charcoal" carried a carpet 
bag grip, a heavy hickory cane, and 
wore a silk hat and a sleek broadcloth 
Prince Albert coat. His head and chin 
were full of African cotton and he 
attracted considerable attention as he 
tried to get out of the way of traffic. 
To a policeman he confided that he had 
come to find Gen. Sherman, and wanted 
to thank him "in pusson," and to claim 
a gift he vowed Sherman had promised 
him. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



241 



"You're out of luck, old man. Gen. 
Sherman won't be in the parade today. 
He's been dead nearly 25 years." 

"Oh Lordy, white folks, den dis nig- 
ger's sholy got to march back to Geor- 
gia ' 



I" 



MARTHA SMITH'S POLITICAL 
COUP.— In 1844 when pretty Martha 
Smith was 13 and riding a pony into 
town to school from her father's home 
on the Alabama Road, and was begin- 
ning to "dress up" and attract the 
boys, she was taken by Col. Smith on 
a trip to Milledgeville, then capital of 
the state. Colonel Smith was a mem- 
ber of the Legislature and as an ardent 
Whig was boosting the stock of Zach- 
ary Taylor for President. He was to 
make a speech at the town hall or 
opera house, and various speakers 
were to tell the virtues of Taylor to his 
Baldwin County friends and any oth- 
ers who might wish to be enlightened. 
Now, the indulgent father had bought 
his daughter a beautiful new hat, of 
which she was highly proud. He left 
her shortly before the meeting with a 
friend stopping at the hotel and the 
friend escorted her through the town 
square to a seat in the front of the 
hall. As the chairman rapped for or- 
der and introduced Colonel Smith, and 
a few enthusiasts yelled "Hurrah for 
Taylor and the Whig Party!" Miss 
Martha strode down the aisle. She 
was dressed in a becoming pink and 
blue frock, and her new hat was the 
cause of an uproar. Colonel Smith 
looked embarrassed; halted for a mo- 
ment, and a wag rose in his seat and 
yelled, "Hurrah for Polk and the 
Democrats!" 

Miss Martha, being for Polk and 
having that afternoon raced through 
the nearby stubble fields, had trimmed 
her bonnet in a garland of pokeber- 
ries. The meeting bi-oke up in con- 
fusion ; Polk eventually got the nomi- 
nation and was elected. The irate 
father did not speak to his little daugh- 
ter for a week. 

* !(: * 

JEFFERSON DAVIS ARRESTED 
BY ROMANS.— Miss Mary W. Noble, 
of Anniston, Ala., relates the follow- 
ing unpublished incident of May, 1855, 
in which her family, traveling from 
Reading, Pa., to Rome, lost about 
$4,000, accused Jefferson Davis, then 
Secretary of War, of stealing it, and 
actually had him arrested at Augusta, 
and consented to his release only after 
he had shown papers establishing his 
identity. Mr. Davis had graduated 



from the United States Military Acad- 
emy at West Point, N. Y., in 1828, 
and had left his seat in Congress in 
1847 to enter the Mexican War. His 
service in this war was so meritorious 
that when Franklin Pierce was elect- 
ed President in 1853 he appointed Mr. 
Davis his Secretary of War, and Mr. 
Davis held that position until the elec- 
tion of James Buchanan to the Presi- 
dency in 1857. 

Miss Mary writes: 

"In 1855, while on a visit to the 
South, my father, James Noble, Sr., 
stopped at Rome. My brothers, at 
Reading, especially Samuel, were anx- 
ious to obey Horace Greeley's injunc- 
tion 'Go West, Young Man,' but my 
father had practically decided to set- 
tle at Chattanooga, Tenn. However, 
my father met two old-time Southern 
gentlemen, formerly of South Carolina 
— Col. Wade S. Cothran and John 
Hume, Sr. — who were so courteous and 
who advanced Rome's glories so ad- 
mirably that he wrote the boys to put 
the machinery at Reading on a sailing 
vessel and bring it to Charleston, 
whence it could be transported by 
train and overland to Rome. 

"In May of that year the older boys 
embarked from Philadelphia for 
Charleston, and my parents and my- 
self, Stephen N., then about 10, and 
my sisters, Jane, Susan, Eliza Jane 
(Jenny), Josephine and Elizabeth 
(Lilly), started from the same city to 
Charleston by train. On reaching 
Charleston, we discovered that the reg- 
ular train had left, but that we could 
be accommodated in a caboose at- 
tached to a freight train which was 
going as far as Augusta. It was Sun- 
day afternoon when we boarded the 
caboose. We were carrying a large 
carpet bag filled with valuables, in- 
cluding about $4,000 with which we 
expected to start our new machine 
shop and foundry enterprise at Rome. 
In the caboose with us was an English 
family on their way to the Duck mines 
of Tennessee, with whom our parents 
became friendly because of their own 
English birth, and at Branchville, Or- 
angeburg County, S. C, two quiet, 
well-dressed gentlemen in civilian 
clothes, about 50 years of age, board- 
ed the train as the last passengers 
before Augusta was reached. 

"It was at the suggestion of the 
conductor that we had determined to 
travel in the caboose. Our trunks were 
in the baggage room, and fearing he 
would not have enough money to pay 
our way home, my father had opened 



242 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



one of the trunks, removed the carpet 
bag (which also contained jewelry and 
papers) and extracted enough in bills 
to see us all the way. On looking up, 
we noticed the conductor peering at us 
through a window. Then the conductor 
rushed into the baggage room and 
shouted, 'Hurry up; train's about to 
leave!' and at the same time grabbed 
the unlocked trunk and began to pull 
it out on the platform. My father 
stopped him long enough to lock the 
trunk; and then he took the carpet 
bag into the caboose and put it under 
the trunks in a compartment which 
was separated from the seating sec- 
tion by a thin partition. In the room 
with the trunks was a bench or a 
settee, and my sister, Jane, being tired, 
reclined on it. 

"When the two strangers got on at 
Branchville, one of them went into 
the room where my sister was. She 
arose and came back where we were, 
and he took the seat behind her, leaned 
over and apologized for his intrusion, 
saying he was unaware the room was 
occupied. He talked pleasantly to her 
for about ten minutes. 

"About 6 o'clock the next morning 
we reached Augusta, when lo and be- 
hold, the carpet bag was gone, and 
with it our $4,000. Our parents were 
much excited, and accused the con- 
ductor, recalling that he had peeked 
at the valuables through the window, 
and that he had been in such a hurry 
to remove the trunk. The conductor 
denied the charge, and pointing at the 
two strangers, said, 'There are the 
thieves.' Suspicion seemed to involve 
the two, so they were arrested right 
there on the platform by an officer 
whom my father had summoned. The 
strangers politely but with some show 
of feeling pi-oclaimed their innocence. 
Quite a scene had been produced and 
a crowd had gathered. The taller of 
the two declared, 'Sir, I am Jefferson 
Davis, Secretary of War, and my com- 
panion is an officer of the United 
States army.' They produced papers 
of identification and were released 
with an apology from my father, who 
then proceeded to press the original 
charge against the conductor. How- 
ever, the conductor had disappeared, 
and as our train for northwest Geor- 
gia was about to leave, we dropped 
the matter for the time. 

"On reaching Rome we consulted a 
lawyer, who promised to investigate, 
but we were strangers in a strange 
land, our father unknown save through 
short acquaintance with Col. Cothran, 
Mr. Hume and a few others; our story 



was doubted and nothing was done. 
Some time later we received a state- 
ment by mail, I believe from a Cath- 
olic priest, to the effect that he had at- 
tended a conductor following a fatal 
accident, who had confessed to him 
on his deathbed that he had passed the 
carpet bag out of a window to a con- 
federate between Branchville and Au- 
gusta. 

"When the Civil War broke out and 
Mr. Davis was chosen President of 
the Confederacy, with his headquar- 
ters at the seat of g'overnment at 
Montgomery, Ala., the Noble foundry 
at Rome was taken over for the manu- 
facture of cannon, and my father had 
to consult frequently with Mr. Davis 
at Montgomery concerning orders. Mr. 
Davis always alluded with a smile to 
the incident at Augusta and sent his 
regards to mother and the girls; and 
my father never failed to respond with 
a gracious apology and a nice compli- 
ment on Mr. Davis' fortitude and abil- 
ity in the trials of the war. 

"In connection with Confederate 
cannon it may be appropriate to men- 
tion that Col. Josiah Gorgas, father 
of Gen. Wm. C. Gorgas, U. S. A., 
whose engineering skill made possible 
the Panama Canal, visited Rome fre- 
quently as chief of ordinance for the 
Confederate States government, and 
occupied as the guest of the Noble 
family the front upstairs room at 304 
East First St., Rome, which overlooks 
the First Presbyterian churchyard, 
and we always called this 'Gorgas 
room.' Quite a friendship existed be- 
tween Col. Gorgas and rrty father, 
which in after years was cemented 
between Gen. Gorgas and Robt. E. 
Noble, a surgeon in the United States 
Army, and son of George Noble. Dr. 
Robt. Noble was closely associated with 
Gen. Gorgas for seven years in Pan- 
ama, then spent six months with him 
in South Africa, studying fever causes. 
The two were on their way to Africa 
again when Gen. Gorgas was stricken 
and died in London. My nephew re- 
mained until after the funeral, then 
took up his duties as assistant surgeon 
general of the army with the expedi- 
tion." 

* * * 

DE LA MESA AND THE TAB- 
LEAU.— Capt. Chas. A. de la Mesa 
succeeded Capt. Kyes as reconstruction 
officer of the United States Army at 
Rome, and opened up the so-called 
Freedman's Bureau at 530 Broad St. 
Here he tried to bring housewives and 
newly-freed servants into agreement 
as to what should be paid for services 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



243 



and wash. In the event agreements 
could not be reached privately, the 
contestants were hailed before Capt. 
de la Mesa. Naturally that official's 
life was full of misery. Clashes be- 
tween provost guard and citizens were 
frequent, but not of a serious nature, 
for it was bad policy for either side 
to carry a chip on the shoulder.* 

It was reported that Wm. Hemphill 
Jones had a spat with the captain. It 
may have been over wash or some- 
thing else, but Mr. Jones picked up a 
foot tub or a wash tub and slammed 
Capt. de la Mesa over the head with 
it, according to the report. The cap- 
tain enjoyed a considerable range. He 
once went to Summerville, and the 
picture of his leaving resembled that 
of Wm. J. Burns 50 years later, bid- 
ding farewell to Marietta. A young 
man at Summerville claimed that Capt. 
de la Mesa insulted or mistreated his 
sister in some transaction, and pro- 
ceeded to arm himself. He was halted 
by the late Jno. W. Maddox, then a 
resident of the Chattooga town, and 
Capt. de la Mesa moved on. At Dal- 
ton Capt. de la Mesa was served with 
papers in a court action, but explana- 
tions were made and the case was 
thrown out. There were other similar 
incidents in the path of Capt. de la 
Mesa's duty, concerning which, hap- 
pily, there is no longer any feeling. 

Capt. de la Mesa hung out a large 
United States flag in front of the bu- 
reau, and forced all passersby to sa- 
lute it. Of course he was acting under 
orders; Romans made a wide detour. 
Then came the tableau in May, 1867, — 
an intensely "dramatic" affair. 

In order to replace pews in the local 
churches and to repair other damage 
done by the Northern soldiers,** the 
female members of the congregations 
had formed a society to present tab- 
leaux at the old city hall, southwest 
corner of Broad Street and Fifth Ave- 
nue, where the Fifth Avenue Drug 
Company is now located. On this par- 
ticular occasion the managers were 

*Capt. De la Mesa is supposed to have come 
from Brooklyn, N. Y., and to have been a 
naltive of Spain. Ho had a dauprhter. Miss 
Leila de la Mesa, who married A. C. Fetterolf, 
of Upper Montclair, N. .1. At the time of her 
marriage, the family wrote to Rome for a 
picture of the old I'Yeedmen's Bureau, and the 
reciuest was complied with hy Mrs. Kd Harris. 
Capt. de la Mesa died a prood many years ago, 
and it is understood that his widow remarried. 

**Quite a while after the war, the Cov- 
ernment sent a representative to Rome to as- 
sess the damage done the First Baptist church. 
Hearings were held at this institution, and 
some spicy comments were made by the women 
who testified, notably Mrs. FJben Hillyer. An 
award of about $600 was recommended to 
Washington, and this amount paid the church. 



Mrs. J. M. Gregory, Mrs. M. A. Nevin 
and Miss Mary W. Noble, and they 
received a surprise and shock when 
Capt. de la Mesa bought tickets for 
himself and his beautiful brunette 
wife, and planted himself in his mili- 
tary trappings on a front seat. The 
following is a summary of two ac- 
counts of the affair: 

"The audience filed in, some of the 
young women with noses pretty high in 
the air at sight of the 'intruders.' The 
tableau was 'The Officer's Funeral,' 
and all went well for a while. The 
de la Mesas enjoyed the first part and 
applauded liberally. A little play pre- 
ceded the tableau, in which Mrs. 
Hiram D. Hill (then Florence Mitch- 
ell, daughter of Col. Daniel R. Mitch- 
ell), played the part of the Irish Maid 
of Cork, thrummed a piece on her 
guitar and was wooed by the hero. 

"Then — bless Patsy! — the fireworks! 
The curtain went up on the tableau 
in question. There stood 'Ferd' 
Hutchings, Dave Powers, 'Billy' Gib- 
bons, 'Tal' Wells and Leonidas Timo- 
leon Mitchell. 'Coon' Mitchell, by the 
way, was a son of old Daniel R. and 
the very man who had carried Gen. 
Neal Dow, the famous Maine aboli- 
tionist, to Libby Prison, Richmond, 
from Mobile. All the others had 
fought the 'Yankees' with the Rome 
Light Guards. And now they had the 
temerity to stand up before the 'Yan- 
kee' reconstruction officer in their uni- 
forms of gray! Furthermore, the of- 
ficer's casket was draped in a battle- 
torn Confederate flag, the property of 
Col. Sam Gibbons, father of Billy. Com- 
pleting the scene were Miss Belle Lo- 
gan as the widow, and Mrs. Hill's 
niece, little Irene Hicks, as the orphan. 

"Capt. de la Mesa began to boil; his 
wife reddened sympathetically as the 
boys began to sing that famous and 
heart-touching song, 'The Officer's Fu- 
neral:' 

'Hark, 'tis the shrill trumpet calling, 

It pierceth the soft summer air, 
And a tear from each comrade is fall- 
ing, — 
The widow and orphan are there; 
The bayonets earthward are turning 
And the drums' muffled sound rolls 
around, 
But hears not the voice of their 
mourning, 
Nor awakes to the shrill bugle sound. 

'Sleep, soldier, though many regret 
thee 
Who stand by thy cold bier today. 
Soon, soon will the kindest forget thee, 



244 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



And thy name from the earth pass 
away; 
The man thou didst love as a brother, 
A friend in thy place will have 
gained, 
Thy dog will keep watch for another 
And thy steed by a stranger be 
reined. 

'Though many now mourn for thee 
sadly, 
Soon joyous as ever shall be. 
Thy bright orphan boy will laugh 
gladly 
As he sits on some kind comrade's 
knee; 
There is one who will still pay the 
duty 
Of tears to the true and the brave, 
As first in the bloom of her beauty. 
She knelt by her boy soldiers' grave!' 

"Miss Ford stepped from behind the 
arras and sang 'The Jacket of Gray,' 
and as she concluded, with the line 
'Fold it up carefully, lay it aside!' 
she lifted a soiled and thread-bare coat 
into full view of the audience. A 
shower of applause followed. The de 
la Mesas boiled over, and trudged out 
of the hall, to the accompaniment of 
a perfect chorus of boos and cat-calls, 
and a shrill defi flung above the tumult 
by a young 'Rebel,' 'Go it; that's not 
the first time you ever ran from that 
flag!' 

"'Delia Meezer, lemon squeezer!' 
shouted an impertinent little boy. 

"This 'good riddance of bad rub- 
bish' (as the players expressed it) 
was thought to have ended the inci- 
dent, but not so. Capt. de la Mesa 
sent a hot message to headquarters in 
Atlanta, making a charge of high trea- 
son, and requesting a company of sol- 
diers to spirit away the culprits. In 
the meantime, the Federal commander 
had recognized all the off'enders and 
had clapped handcuffs on each and 
marched them to the guard room in the 
courthouse between files of troopers 
with fixed bayonets. Several of the 
young women went to the 'prison' to 
console the boys, and one of them, un- 
accustomed to Federal uniforms, asked 
quite audibly, 'Do all these dogs wear 
collars?' The cordon around the pris- 
oners was only drawn the tighter. 

"After the boys had spent a night 
thus, a company of 59 soldiers from 
Atlanta appeared at the Rome rail- 
road station, marched up Broad Street 
with bayonets fixed, and escorted the 
'prisoners' and Capt. de la Mesa to 
the station, where they caught the 
next train for the state capital. A 



tremendous crowd gathered and sul- 
lenly watched their friends and their 
enemies go away. De la Mesa turned 
back at Kingston. He had obtained 
the services of another company or 
part thereof somewhere, and these 
escorted him back to Rome, and for 
several days kept watch over him and 
his bureau, until the excitement had 
subsided. Henry A. Smith, bookseller 
who had lost an arm in the war, was 
due to have been arrested, too, but he 
had prudently gone to visit relatives 
up the Etowah river. The women, 
also, it was rumored, would be held 
as traitors. 

"Col. Mitchell got on the train with 
the intention of going to Savannah to 
protest with Judge Erskine, of the 
Federal Court. Instead, he wired 
Judge Erskine from Atlanta. The 
two got into touch with Gen. John 
Pope, commander of the district, and 
a release order came within three 
weeks. However, the order did not 
forestall serious indignities to the 
captives, who had been confined in a 
miserable pen or cage. They were 
taunted and cursed by their captors, 
who prodded with bayonets gifts of 
sweetmeats sent by relatives and sym- 
pathizing friends, and forced them to 
eat the poorly prepared food that had 
been provided for them. 

"A telegram announced the release to 
Romans, and a huge crowd welcomed 
the boys at the station, and a supper 
at the City Hall softened the sting of 
their humiliation and enabled them to 
chalk up the event as one of fate's 
weird pranks." 

Mrs. Hiram Hill adds the following: 

"Our home in the Fourth Ward had 
been divested of its sides, blinds, 
doors, plastering and everything that 
the Union soldiers could tear down or 
carry away, and we had gone to live 
at the old Buena Vista Hotel, south- 
west corner of Broad and Sixth Ave- 
nue, where Seale & Floyd's garage and 
a grocery store now are. My father 
owned this place and occupied a small 
one-story house on the west side of 
it as his law office. Mrs. de la Mesa 
had been coming to the hotel from next 
door to give instructions to a Rome 
woman who was sewing for her, and 
when I saw her after my brother's 
arrest, I told her to get out of the 
hotel and ^stay out. She sent me 
word that she would march me up 
and down Broad Street in charge of 
two soldiers and under a United States 
flag. I defied her to try it, and she 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



245 




THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU ON BROAD STREET. 

This structure, still standing near Sixth Avenue, was the headquarters of Capt. 
Chas. A. de le Mesa during the Civil War. Capt. de la Mesa participated in a number 
of hair raising episodes. Rome's oldest brick building is at the right. 



never did. There would have been a 
lot more trouble in Rome, Ga. 

"I suppose Capt. de la Mesa was 
carrying out orders and ruled sternly 
for that reason. He and his wife im- 
pressed me as people of refinement, 
and I was especially struck with her 
beauty and the style of her clothes." 
* * * 

A DRAMATIC SCENE. — When 
William Smith entered his last illness 
in January, 1852, he summoned several 
friends whom he wished to transact 
certain business matters for him re- 
lating to his property in Rome. While 
they were still with him in the cot- 
tage on Howard Street where he died, 
he raised himself to his feet by hold- 
ing to his chair, and said: 

"Gentlemen, you will have to help 
me to my bed. I have done all that 
I can do for myself." 

They assisted him, and when he was 
comfortably stretched out, he con- 
tinued: 

"I am not a member of any church, 
but I have done the best I could in 
this life. Whatever I have had has 
belonged to the people of this commu- 
nity. No man has ever been turned 
away hungry from my door if I had 
anything to divide with him. 

"You gentlemen know that I have 
served this section, and if my body is 
of any use to science, I ask you to 
take it when I am gone." 

Col. Smith had waited for Col. Al- 
fred Shorter to come, so they could 
have a settlement with respect to the 
property they owned equally. Col. 
Shorter sent his representative. Col. 
C. M. Pennington, to see Col. Smith. 



"I am glad to see you. Col. Pen- 
nington," declared Col. Smith, "but I 
sent for Col. Shorter." 

Col. Pennington delivered the mes- 
sage promptly a second time, and it 
was 24 hours before Col. Shorter found 
it convenient to come. When he ar- 
rived. Col. Smith raised himself on his 
left elbow, and with his right hand 
reached under his pillow. Col. Shorter 
drew back and Col. Pennington step- 
ped between them. During one of 
Col. Smith's naps Mrs. Smith, the 
wife, had removed his pistol. 

"Alfred Shorter, you are a rascal!" 
shouted Col. Smith, the old-time fire 
flashing from his small, black eyes. 
"This is a fine time to come to see 
a man — on his death bed!" 

Shortly before noon the next day, 
Jan. 27, Col. Smith died. Only a few 
days before, his grandson, William 
Cephas, had been born to Dr. and Mrs. 
Robt. Battey. 

The Widow Baldwin, whom Col. 
Shorter had married at Monticello, 
placed at his disposal $40,000 in cash, 
a handsome fortune in those days of 
low values. Col. Shorter brought this 
to Rome with him at the instance of 
Col. Smith, and invested it in the land 
which Col. Smith had acquired, and 
made certain improvements thereon. 
Col. Smith's energy and Col. Shorter's 
long business head made an ideal 
combination, and their partnership 
interests grew rapidly. After the 
Civil War, Col. Shorter settled 
with Mrs. Battey, the daughter, for 
$10,000 cash, and took her receipt. 

It was a satisfactory ending of an 
unfortunate affair, and left Col. 



246 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Shorter free to conserve his part, 
most of which went to Shorter College 
for the education of young women of 
the South.* 



* * 



HENRY W. GRADY AT ROME.— 
As a youth, Henry Woodfin Grady 
had visited his uncle, Henry A. Gart- 
rell, in Rome, and thence had gone 
to see another branch of his family 
at Floyd Springs.** Capt. Gartrell re- 
moved to Athens in 1865, after hav- 
ing served Rome as mayor in 1859-60. 
Pleasant recollections of Rome and a 
chance visit with the Georgia Press 
excursion in 1869 caused Mr. Gi^ady 
to anchor his quill, paste pot and 
shears at the foot of Tower Hill for 
three years. 

Col. E. Hulbert, superintendent of 
the W. & A. (state) Railroad, had in- 
vited the Georgia press to send rep- 
resentatives for an excursion into 
Southeastern Tennessee, Northwest 
Georgia and Northeastern Alabama, to 
write up the natural resources of 
those sections. The excursion started 
from Atlanta at 7 a. m., Wednesday, 
August 25, 1869. At Cartersville the 
members were addressed on the sub- 
ject of minerals, agriculture and the 
new railroad to Van Wert, Polk 
County, by Mark A. Cooper, grand- 
father of J. Paul Cooper and father 
of John Frederick Cooper, of Rome. 
Thence they went to Chattanooga, 100 
strong. Then they turned southward, 
and arrived at Rome via the Rome 
Railroad, on their special train, at 
1:30 a. m., Friday, Sept. 3. 

True to the spirit of newspaper en- 
terprise, young Grady, then only 19, 
rushed to the sanctum of Editor Mel- 
ville _ Dwinell, of the Rome Weekly 
Courier. The hour was unearthly, yet 
the editor had remained at his desk to 
"cover" the momentous event of the 
arrival of the excursionists. Capt. 
Dwinell stated that he had left a col- 
umn open. Mr. Grady declared a col- 
umn would hardly start the story he 
bore, so Capt. Dwinell side-tracked 
some of his livest news and no doubt 
a few advertisements. Mr. Grady had 
been writing his "yarn" on the train. 
He continued it for an hour, and for 
good measure threw in an optimistic 
editorial squib. A faithful printer 
hand-set type the balance of the night 
and The Courier woke up the citizens 
with Mr. Grady's remarkable narra- 
tive. It was a sample of journalistic 
endeavor to which the quiet Hill City 
had not been accustomed. 

Grady's wonderful speech, "The 
New South," delivered before the New 



England Society of New York, N. Y., 
Dec. 22, 1886, is well known. At 
Rome on this occasion, however, he ap- 
pears to have struck his original "New 
South" note, as follows: 

"Every citizen of Cherokee Georgia 
has long been convinced that our min- 
eral resources are unsurpassed, and 
all that was wanting was for some- 
one to make a start, and induce men 
of means to come among, to aid in 
developing the same. . . . Our broth- 
ers of the quill will now have some- 
thing interesting to write about and 
for a while, at least, will devote their 
time to something more substantial 
than politics, and of infinitely more 
advantage to our bankrupt people. It 
is refreshing to see men of all politi- 
cal shades quietly traveling together, 
and for once inaking a united effort 
to forget political differences, and to 
lend their efforts to the more laudable 
cause of developing the great wealth 
that nature had bestowed upon us. 
Cuffee for once has been forgotten. 
The splendid scenery of our moun- 
tains and valleys, with the battlefields, 
which give us a prominent place in 
history, has made a deep impression 
upon the minds of all, and proclaims 
in thunder tones what men will do 
when pressed to the wall. Mutual 
forbearance seems to exist, and we 
predict that in future a better state 
of sentiment and feeling will prevail." 

At this time, maybe, Grady made 
arrangements to work for The Cour- 
ier. The preliminaries may have been 
started by letter a while before. At 
any rate, he soon came back. 

At 3 p. m., after a speech by Mayor 
Zach Hargrove and a serenade by a 
brass band and dinner at the Choice 
House, the party left for a trip down 
the Coosa River on the Steamboat 
Etowah as the guests of Col. Wade 
S Cothran. After inspecting the 
Round Mountain and Cornwall, Ala., 
iron works, they came back to Rome 
Sunday on the Etowah, put up at the 
Choice House and Monday morning at 
9 left by rail for Selma, Ala. Wed- 
nesday morning at 6:30 the editors re- 
turned to Rome, had breakfast at the 
Choice House and departed two hours 
later for Atlanta, where the "junket" 



*Col. Pennington was authority for the por- 
tion of the above narrative relating to the 
pistol ; he told the story to Judge John C. 
Printup. Mrs. Robt. Battey was authority for 
the statement that Col. Smith sent for Col. 
Shorter to make a settlement, and that the 
$10,000 was later paid to her. 

**Doyle A. Moore, of Rome, is kin to the 
Gradys through this branch. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



247 



ended. On both these stops Mr. Grady 
fraternized with Editor Dwinell. 

The impelling reason why Grady 
went to Rome lies largely in the realm 
of surmise. The lad was possessed of 
a proud spirit which he called ambi- 
tion and which a handful of sniping 
contemporaries, less talented, might 
have called bumptiousness. He was 
precocious to the extent that he had 
become an orator in his knee pants, 
and he was made to suffer more than 
once because he pitted his skill against 
older competitors. Through a politi- 
cal deal at the University of Virginia 
he had suffered a keen disappoint- 
ment, and it is likely that in associat- 
ing himself as "free-lance" corre- 
spondent with the Atlanta Constitu- 
tion he was inviting rebuffs that his 
gifts did not warrant. The Constitu- 
tion's editor was Col. Carey W. Styles, 
an experienced journalist, who, by the 
way, had been involved in the Yacht 
Wanderer affair nine years before at 
Savannah. Col. Styles had sat up with 
legislators at Milledgeville before 
Henry Grady had ever thought of 
them, hence when the dashing young 
collegian essayed to pass voluminous 
editorial sentence on a governor or a 
congressman, it was out of the ques- 
tion. 

Grady was trying to marry. He 
was fired with ambition to take the 
lead in molding public opinion. He 
enjoyed writing "from the street and 
hustings," but he preferred the dignity 
of a job at a desk. Brain work was 
one thing to Henry Grady, and "leg 
work" another. The Constitution was 
a new concern, having been founded 
in the summer of 1868, had a full 
staff, and could not find a regular 
place for him yet awhile. Further- 
more, Henry was ambitious enough to 
believe that what he was writing, 
mostly of a political nature, was just 
about as important as anything in the 
paper, and had as much right to 
"front page" position as the other 
stuff they were printing. He believed 
that an excursion of the state's lead- 
ing editors was a big news event, and 
was worth writing columns every day, 
perhaps. Consequently, he wielded a 
loquacious pen. The Constitution's tel- 
egraph tolls became enormous when 
Press Excursion news started from 
Cartersville and continued through 
Chattanooga and Rome. Henry was 
shooting readable material, but they 
couldn't see it at the office; they cut 
his dojpe to the bone and dropped 
his pen name, "King Hans." In the 
following fashion did they knock him 



off the limb in a squib of Sept. 10, 
1869: 

"We are compelled by pressure upon 
our space to abbreviate and condense 
the report of the Press Excursion pro- 
ceedings. Neither the editors nor the 
proprietors of this paper were pres- 
ent." 

Wow! that should hold any young 
man, no matter how brilliant or pro- 
gressive, in entirely reasonable bounds. 

"Damn 'em, I'll fix 'em!" muttered 
Heni-y, who had been introduced by V. 
A. Gaskell, of the Atlanta New Era, 
and J. S. Peterson, of the Atlanta In- 
telligencer, as the Constitution's "rep- 
resentative" on the editors' jaunt. He 
shot a wad of his copy at Melville 
Dwinell, editor of the Rome Weekly 
Courier, over the signature "Zip." Ed- 
itor Dwinell ate his contributions with 
a relish; sometimes they ran several 
columns long, but it was good read- 
ing, and it landed Henry a nice job. 
He put over three columns Sept. 3, 
and duplicated with three a week 
later — quite a contribution to a four- 
page newspaper. 

Right proudly did Capt. Dwinell 
pave the way for the young literary 
crusader under date of Friday, Sept. 
10, 1869: 

"To the Readers of the Courier: 
With this issue of our paper we pre- 
sent Mr. Henry W. Grady in the ca- 
pacity of associate editor. The vigor, 
versatility and polish of his pen has 
recently been exhibited in his corre- 
spondence for the Atlanta Constitution 
over the nom de plume of 'King Hans,' 
and we may reasonably hope with his 
assistance to materially increase the 
interest of these columns. Feeling con- 
fident that this effort to interest and 
please will be successful, we let Mr. 
Grady make his own bow to the pub- 
lic— M. Dwinell." 

Mr. Grady's bow follows: 

"The above notice renders necessary 
the infliction of a salutatory upon 
you. We shall be as brief as possible. 
We are young and without editorial 
judgment or experience, yet we hope 
that the enthusiasm with which we en- 
ter upon our new profession and the 
constant labor with which we are de- 
termined to bend to our work may par- 
tially, at least, atone for these de- 
ficiencies. 

"The Courier shall be in the future, 
so far as our management is concern- 
ed, devoted as it has been in the past 
to the dissemination of useful and in- 
teresting information, to the bold as- 



248 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



sertion and maintenance of correct po- 
litical opinions and to the development 
of the best interests of the commu- 
nity. 

"We enter the editorial ranks of the 
state with ill feeling toward none, but 
with kindness toward all. We shall 
cheerfully and with vigor co-operate 
with the press in the furtherance of 
any project which tends toward good, 
and we shall endeavor with courtesy 
and politeness to adjust nicely any dif- 
ferences of opinion which may arise 
between us and any of our contem- 
poraries. 

"Begging in conclusion that the 
justice you render us may be tempered 
with mercy, we don our harness and 
enter the lists. 

"Most respectfully yours, 

"HENRY W. GRADY." 

The young journalist's "bold asser- 
tion of correct political opinions" found 
expression in the same issue of The 
Courier in the following editorial 
broadside leveled at Governor Rufus 
B. Bullock, who also was a guest on 
the Press Excursion: 

"His Accidency ." — " 'We were de- 
lighted with Governor Bullock — he is 
the right man in the right place, and 
will do all that any man could do to 
restore Georgia to her former condi- 
tion of peace and prosperity.' " — Talla- 
dega Sun. 

"The above tribute to the accident 
that now occupies the Gubernatorial 
Chair, though clipped fi'om a Radical 
paper and written by a Radical re- 
porter, whose official duty it was to 
become enamored of the Accident and 
all of his party, has a considerable 
significance notwithstanding. 

"The truth of the matter is that 
any man who knows nothing of Bul- 
lock's political filthiness will inevit- 
ably become 'delighted with him,' etc. 
We have never, in the whole course of 
our life, seen a man who was gifted 
with so great an amount of beguiling 
blarney as is this man. Present him 
to a Democrat and the sweetness of 
his countenance is absolutely appall- 
ing; infinite smiles ripple over his 
cheeks and break in soft laughter on 
his lips; a thousand and one benevo- 
lent sparkles are beamed from his 
eyes; his nostrils play with kindly pal- 
pitations, and — believe me, for I tell 
ye the truth — his whiskers resolve 
themselves into a standing committee 
to invite you just to walk down into 
his heart and take a place in that 



large and open receptacle. Oh, his 
face is tremendously delusive! 

"We were presented to him, and 
went to the presentation primed with 
about a dozen pardon proclamations, 
and about three of his reports on the 
condition of Georgia. We had serious- 
ly contemplated taking a friend along 
to prevent the murderous onslaught, 
which we were afraid our outraged 
feelings would urge us to make upon 
the Accident when introduced to it. 
And lo! when the crisis came we found 
ourself basking calmly beneath his ra- 
diant countenance like a rose beneath 
an April sky. A clear voice saluted 
us with a dreamy kind of tenderness, 
and we found ourself exclaiming, 
'Surely this man is not our enemy!' 

"We looked for the famous 'sinister 
expression' which, according to novel- 
ists, invariably resides about the nose 
and eyes of a villain. But we found 
it not; the nose possessed a very mild 
curvative, and the eyes were gushing 
with cheery good humor. Instantly, as 
a last resort, we had to commence 
recounting his crimes, in order to pro- 
tect ourself against his blandish- 
ments, and actually had to come down 
to the appointment of Foster Blodgett 
before we could sufficiently hate him 
to satify our Democratic conscience. 
How deep down and how effectually 
does this man hide his rascality! 

"So much the more dangerous is he. 
No man who visits him, without about 
one-third of his political villainies full 
in view, is safe. Beware, then, of this 
mermaid with a siren voice — he will 
laugh welcome in your face, and then 
pardon the brute that ravished your 
sister. He is far more dangerous than 
Swayze — though the latter is his supe- 
rior in force — for in the eye of the lat- 
ter there is a warning that puts us 
upon guard. 

"A child is never hurt by a poison- 
ous toad; it is the bright serpent, with 
its spots of purple and gold, that 
charms and slays him. We do not 
fear the uncouth ruffian that is with 
hideous leer distorted, but the soft and 
supple gentleman scoundrel that 'can 
smile and smile, and play the villain 
still.' " 

Other public officials on the Press 
Excursion escaped the darts of young 
Mr. Grady. They included Mayor Hul- 
sey, of Atlanta, Comptroller General 
Madison Bell, R. L. McWhorter, speak- 
er of the house; and Senators Smith, 
Candler and Nunnally. 

Evidently the following item Grady 
wrote for The Courier on Friday, Sep- 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



249 



tember 10, was prompted by a pang 
of conscience: 

"We hereby announce to our read- 
ers that we shall not say another 
word about the Press Excursion. We 
enjoyed it and 'developed' everything 
we saw, and now we are done with it. 
Not another remark shall we make 
about it. If information about it is 
wanted by any who may not have seen 
our notices as yet, we refer them to 
our back files." 

It is significant that on the same 
day Grady penned the following in re- 
sponse to a jibe from the Savannah 

News: 

"This excellent but sometimes impru- 
dent newspaper makes a bold attack 
upon us concerning an article of ours 
on the Press Excursion. We would 
answer the charges contained therein, 
but we promised our readers in our 
last issue not to write anything more 
concerning the excursion. To this 
promise our contemporary owes its fu- 
ture salvation. For, were our hands 
not bound by that promise, we would 
just tear The News all to pieces! So 
return thanks, Brother Thompson, for 
your narrow escape." 

As a reporter he showed the same 
enterprise and aptitude as in his ed- 
itorial work. On Nov. 12, 1869, he 
published this : 

"Fights, Robberies, Shooting. — A 
sable son of Africa was tickled by a 
bullet from the pistol of Col. Sam 
Stewart, because he struck Col. Stew- 
art. Another African was perforated 
in four places, through the arm and 
shoulder, by a leaden messenger from 
Col. Stewart — cause, not known. 

"A Mr. Neph was robbed of $500 in 
money and a $1,000 check last night 
by a thief who entered his room at the 
Choice House. 

"A few episodical but very interest- 
ing fights took place last night among 
the 'boys.' No serious damage report- 
ed. Mr. C. W. Nowlin was robbed of 
his watch and chain Wednesday night. 
There were many other fights, rob- 
beries and drunks which happened 
around loose that we wot not of, and 
that deserve no mention in this paper. 
Verily, Rome is getting to be as nice 
a city as Atlanta." 

Although Mr. Grady was fond of 
Capt. Dwinell, he chafed at the su- 
pervision over his copy and destinies 
in The Courier office; it is also re- 
lated that he became irritated that 
he was not allowed to expose a petty 
local political ring, so we find him 



leaving The Courier July 31, 1870, to 
assume the proprietorship of the Rome 
Weekly Commercial. So quietly had 
his plans been laid that his name ap- 
peared on the masthead of The Cour- 
ier as associate editor and on the mast- 
head of The Commercial as editor on 
the same date. 

Capt. Dwinell then wrote: 

"To the Patrons of The Courier:— 
By the following card it will be seen 
that a change has been made in the 
associate editorship of this paper. The 
relations of the paper with Mr. Grady, 
who now retires from The Courier to 
take charge of The Commercial, have 
been entirely pleasant and we regi-et 
to lose his valuable services. We wish 
him abundant success in his new field 
of labor. Col. B. F. Sawyer, for some 
time past editor of the Rome Daily, 
a gentleman of high literary reputa- 
tion and considerable editorial experi- 
ence, takes his place. We have no 
doubt The Courier will be fully sus- 
tained in its previous position as a 
readable newspaper." 

Col. Sawyer's salutatory reads thus : 
"I this day assume editorial control 
of The Courier. It shall be my con- 
stant aim to sustain The Courier in 




HENRY WOODFIN GRADY, orator, who 
started his journalistic career in Rome ana 
brought his bride there to reside. 



250 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



the high position of popular favor it 
has heretofore enjoyed. Should I suc- 
ceed in this, I shall be contented, and 
the patrons of The Courier can ask 
no more." 

Mr. Grady wrote: 

"To the Patrons of The Courier: 
Having been called to another field of 
labor, my connection with The Cour- 
ier ceases with this issue. I will say 
nothing of the sadness I feel in break- 
ing loose from the old Courier — noth- 
ing of the honest courtesy and kind- 
ness of the proprietor, who has been 
my friend and counsellor through thick 
and thin; because these things be- 
long not to the public, nor do they in- 
terest the public. But I feel that I 
would be lacking in gratitude did I 
not express my thanks to those of you 
who have encouraged me with your 
kind words and approving patronage 
during this, the first year of my ed- 
itorial life. Tendering you my most 
sincere acknowledgments, I remain, 
"Yours very truly, 
"HENRY W. GRADY." 

Henry Grady and his younger broth- 
er, Will S. Grady, ran The Daily Com- 
mercial* as editor and business man- 
ager, respectively. Associated with 
them for part of this time was Col. 
J. F. Shanklin, the firm name being 
Grady Brothers & Shanklin. Some of 
Mr. Grady's best work appeared dur- 
ing this period. Col. Sawyer was a 
peppery old fellow, and he and Grady 
had many an epistolary interchange 
which old timers say came near re- 
sulting in a duel, but Mr. Grady's 
diplomacy turned trouble into smiles. 

A free-hearted fellow was Henry 
Grady. He gave liberally to old ne- 
groes to get their anecdotes or stories 
of their lives, and traversed many an 
untraveled thoroughfare to obtain a 
glimpse of types which the average 
man of his sphere seldom sees in their 
element. He had been accustomed to 
everything that money could buy, 
hence did not deny his friends any- 
thing he could possibly bestow upon 
them. He was fond of candy, and so 
were the neighborhood children; so 
was the blushing bride when she 
finally arrived; a confectioner kept all 
kinds near the newspaper office, so 
Henry would now and then run up a 
bill of $15 or more. 

It is noteworthy that, although he 
started using the nom de plume "King 
Hans" early in 1869, he did not ob- 
tain real authority to do so until two 
years later. This cognomen was a 



combination of his first name and the 
last name of his sweetheart in Ath- 
ens, to whom we can fancy hearing 
him say: 

"Well, Julia, I will use your name 
with mine, since you will not let me 
change it for a while." 

Henry worked industriously; he 
could afford matrimony, or thought he 
could, in the fall of 1871, and so they 
were married, and came to the old 
Wood home, at the northwest corner 
of Broad Street and Sixth Avenue, to 
reside. Some say they lived first at 
the southeast corner of Third Avenue 
and East First Street, where the of- 
fice of the Harbin Hospital now 
stands. At any rate, Henry had been 
"batching it" here and there, and at 
one time had boarded with Mrs. W. 
W. Watters; and his first cousin, Wm. 
C. Grady, Roman in the iron business, 
had boarded there at the same time. 
A Roman who had been his roommate 
at Athens also acted as a groomsman 
at his wedding — Col. Hamilton Yan- 
cey. Another Roman, Rev. George T. 
Goetchius, pastor of the First Pres- 
byterian church, had been his class- 
mate through four pleasant years. 

The newspaper business is not al- 
ways remunerative. The Gradys and 
Col. Shanklin had been publishing a 
paper that in that day would be call- 
ed "jam-up." They had bought it in 
July, 1870, from Mitchell A. Nevin, 
who appeared to be glad to sell. Soon 
it was "jam-up" against the wall, so 
they poured it back into the jug. 
Mitchell A. Nevin was willing to try 
it again. 

Just when the Gradys relinquished 
hold is problematical. The Atlanta 
Constitution recorded that on May 8, 
1872, Mr. Grady represented The Com- 
mercial and Capt. Dwinell The Cour- 
ier at the Press Convention in Atlan- 
ta. Col. Carey W. Styles had gone 
in June, 1871, to the Albany News 
from the editorial chair of The Con- 
stitution, and had been succeeded by 
Col. I. W. Avery, who later wrote an 
entertaining history of Georgia. On 
Nov. 5, 1872, The Constitution noted 
the sale of The Commercial by Grady 
Brothers & Shanklin to Nevin & Co., 
and a coup-d'etat by Capt. Dwinell 
in announcing the addition of Major 
Chas. H. Smith (Bill Arp) to The 
Courier staff. The Nov. 10, 1872, is- 

*This was Rome's first daily, and it was es- 
tablished by M. A. Nevin. A number bearing 
date of Friday, June 28, 1871, with the mast- 
head carrying the names of the Gradys as ed- 
itor and business manager and Col. Shanklin 
as managing editor, is still in existence. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



251 



sue of the Atlanta Herald was vicious- 
ly attacked by The Constitution for its 
"sensational New York journalism." 
Since Mr. Grady started The Herald 
soon after his removal from Rome, it 
is more than likely that he left the 
Hill City and was presiding over the 
destinies of the new Atlanta paper at 
this time. 

In leaving Rome, this adventurous 
young journalist and budding orator 
managed to elude a battery of bill col- 
lectors and bailiffs by giving up his 
trunk. The trunk was finally re- 
leased and put in storage several 
months; John Webb, a friend, paid the 
storage charges and sent Henry his 
trunk and "wardrobe." The wedding 
silver escaped, for it had gone tem- 
porarily with Mrs. Grady to the home 
of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Battey at the 
easternmost end of First Avenue. Hard 
lines for the young couple, just start- 
ing life's struggle, but they never gave 
up, and lived to speak in a philosophi- 
cal and humorous vein of their early 
experiences. 

Henry was persistently hounded by 
this motley pack, to the point where 
his friends claim he was literally run 
away from Rome — to make famous an- 
other town. These incidents did not 
embitter him; they came to him as 
part of the game of life, and when the 
years had removed from his memory 
the grim faces of his nemesises, he 
often commented on his pleasant recol- 
lections of the sublimated Seven Hills. 

From the top of the editorial and 
oratorical perch, with the plaudits of 
the thousands ringing in his ears and 
his own image deeply graven on their 
hearts, it was truly a retrospective pic- 
ture in a golden frame. He thought 
of the time when he used to scribble 
news notes on his cuffs, which neces- 
sitated changing shirts every day; 
when "Uncle Remus" came unan- 
nounced to Rome and found him rid- 
ing a "flying Jenny;" when he bought 
a dozen pairs of scissors and set every- 
body in the office to clipping an ar- 
ticle out of each copy of the paper 
in order not to offend a lady. 

Rome reciprocated this feeling of 
love by sending a beautiful wreath 
May 24, 1921, to Atlanta to adorn his 
monument as orators extolled him; and 
Romans reciprocate it every day of 
their lives. 

* * * 

ROME STORIES OF GRADY.— 

Mrs. Samuel C. Whitmire, of New 
York, N. Y., formerly of Everett 
Springs, tells this one: "Mr. Grady 



used to visit a relative, a Mrs. Bal- 
lenger, at Floyd Springs. A neighbor- 
hood story has it that on a trip across 
the Oostanaula after he had failed to 
catch any fish he had found a net full 
that belonged to a farmer living near- 
by. Going to Farmer Corntassel's 
house, he said, 'My friend, I have 
taken your fish and I want you to 
take my dollar. I know better than 
to go home without any fish.' He had 
great consideration for older people, 
and spent much time talking to de- 
crepit darkies, from whom he received 
many inspirations for editorials." 

A. Rawlins, former mayor of North 
Rome, and father-in-law of Chas. T. 
Jervis, relates the following anecdote: 

"I came down from North Rome one 
day to pay my subscription to Mr. 
Grady's paper when his office was 
about the middle of the Hotel Forrest 
block on Broad. I found him standing 
in a stairway and I announced my in- 
tention. He looked at me hard and 
said: 'Mr. Rawlins, you say you 
came to pay a subscription?' 

" 'Yes.' 

" 'Do you really mean that you vol- 
untarily want to pay a subscription to 
this newspaper?' 

'"That's right.' 

" 'Then I must say that you are to 
be commended as the first man I have 
met in this community who wanted to 
do that. I have worn out $49 worth 
of shoe leather calling on the others.' " 

Chas. W. Morris, real estate deal- 
er of 300 W. Fifth Avenue and father 
of Paul I. Morris, tells this story: 

"When I was a youngster, Henry 
Grady used to buy two cakes of soap 
every now and then and take me 
down to the wash-hole at the foot of 
Fourth Avenue, Etowah River, and go 
in washing with me. He was chunky 
and a good swimmer, but not much on 
diving. This was the shallow place 
where the downtown boys used to wade 
across after a session of play at the 
Gammon home nearby. Mr. Grady also 
went in at Seventh Avenue on the 
Oostanaula. Before he married he had 
a room upstairs near the newspaper 
plant, on Broad Street in the Hotel 
Forrest block." 

Judge Max Meyerhardt relates this: 
"Mr. Grady was editor, reporter and 
everything that his brother Will (bus- 
iness manager) wasn't. He wore white 
shirts that he changed every 24 hours 
because his cuffs were full of news- 
paper notes taken during the day. He 
was liberr.l, even extravagant, and did 



252 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



not develop much business ability in 
Rome; he and his bride were fond of 
candy, and he often owed an indulgent 
confectioner $15 at a time. He was 
literally run out of town by bailiffs 
serving attachments on him, and they 
even seized his trunk when he left for 
Atlanta." 

J. A. Rounsaville remembers him 
well because of an unusual incident: 
"My brother Wes' and I were conduct- 
ing our warehouse and grocery busi- 
ness when Mr. Grady came by and 
asked us to give him an advertisement. 
We told him good-naturedly that his 
old paper couldn't sell any more goods 
than we could, and that on general 
principles we didn't believe in adver- 
tising. He went away without say- 
ing any more about it, and the next 
day we were treated to a deluge of 
cats: every small boy in town, it seem- 
ed, brought from one to six cats, and 
when we asked them why they came, 
they said we had advertised in The 
Commercial. We bought a paper and 
found a small 'want ad' saying, 'Will 
pay good cash price for cats. — Rounsa- 
ville & Bro.' We sent for Mr. Grady 
and told him it was his duty to stop 
the applications. He said he could 
do that only by inserting a half-page 
ad. We replied, 'All right, but put in 
the center of it that we don't want any 
more cats!' " 

"Uncle Steve" Eberhart, the slavery 
time darkey character who entertains 
thousands at the convention of Con- 
federate Veterans and is a regular 
member of Floyd County Camp 368, 
revealed in dramatic fashion Feb. 5, 
1921, at the camp meeting in the base- 
ment of the Carnegie library that he 
used to be Henry Grady's valet while 
the great orator and former Roman 
was a student at the University of 
Georgia at Athens. 

When Mr. Grady's name was men- 
tioned, "Uncle Steve" jumped to his 
feet, shouted and clapped his hands, 
hugged himself until he grunted, and 
then exclaimed as tears rolled down 
his cheeks : 

"Lordy, white folks, I had the extin- 
guished honor to dust off Mr. Grady's 
coat and black his shoes. He thought 
er whole lot of your yumble servant." 

"Uncle Steve" was "in college" with 
the younger Ben Hill and a long list 
of noted men. He lived in Athens un- 
til the dispensary times, he said, and 
then sought a better town, so settled 
in Rome. In Rome he fell in with 
the veterans, put on a stove-pipe hat, 
and tucked two frying-sized chickens 



under his arms for a parade. He has 
been dressing up and cutting up ever 
since. 

Comrade Treadaway told a story on 
the Grady brothers that brought a 
laugh. 

"Henry and Will had some prop- 
erty in Athens, and Henry sent Will 
from Rome to sell it. Will sold it and 
passed through Atlanta. When he re- 
turned to Rome, Henry said, 'Well, did 
you sell the land?' 

" 'Yep.' 

" 'Where's the money?' 

" 'In the bank at Atlanta?' 

"'What bank?' 

" 'They called it the Faro Bank.' " 

Romans played a leading part in 
Mr. Grady's funeral, Dec. 25, 1889, in 
Atlanta. Gen. Clement A. Evans and 
the Rev. J. W. Lee, former pastors 
of the First Methodist Church of 
Rome, headed the funeral procession 
to DeGive's Opera House, where John 
Temple Graves, then a Rome editor, 
was one of the speakers. Montgomery 
M. Folsom and Frank L. Stanton, 
Rome journalists, wrote poems to Mr. 
Grady's memory, and the late Rev. G. 
A. Nunnally, father of Judge W. J. 
Nunnally, and then president of Mer- 
cer University, pronounced the bene- 
diction at a memorial meeting held in 
Macon.— Feb. 7, 1921. 

GRADY AS "CORRESPONDENT." 
— The following letter to the Rome 
weekly shows Henry Grady in a new 
role : 

"Macon, Ga., Nov. 17, 1869. 

"Dear Courier: Arrived here safe. I 
found it storming heavily, but soon 
after our arrival it cleared off beauti- 
fully and at the present writing the 
moon finds her full face reflected from 
a thousand rapidly evaporating pud- 
dles that dot the streets. All will be 
delightful in the morning. 

"The city is jammed; every profes- 
sion or handicraft in the world has 
many and vigorous representatives 
here, from the editorial profession 
down to the profession of pickpocket- 
ical — especially the latter. The gam- 
blers, the respectable, genteel class of 
gamblers, are in full force and atro- 
ciously energetic. 

"In company with certain other edi- 
tors, we paid a visit to a fancily fur- 
nished saloon, wherein these old gen- 
try plied their craft. The fascination 
that these places are said to possess 
was speedily dispelled as far as your 
humble servant is concerned. I fol- 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



253 




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254 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



lowed my companions from table to 
table; in no case did I see a single man 
win save those who were evidently 
connected with the establishment. 
Teaching Sunday School in the north 
of Patagonia may be a profitable 
pecuniary venture, but I feel no hesi- 
tancy in asserting that gambling is 
not. Among the devotees of the tables 
I noticed many faces that I had seen 
migrating through Rome about the 
season of our fair. 

"As I did not get back here till after 
dark, I can report nothing interesting 
save the cardinal facts which have al- 
ready been given you by the telegrams. 

"The Georgia Press is largely repre- 
sented — almost every paper in the 
state. Joe Brown, the fragrant; Bul- 
lock, the bewitching; McWhorter, the 
accident; Hampton, the chivalric; Cap- 
ron, the Commissioner; and Gordon, 
the Governor, are in this house, and 
figured conspicuously in the parlor to- 
night. 

"Men who have attended fairs for 
years say they never saw a larger 
crowd than is gathered here now. 
Thousands of ladies, plenty of shows. 
enough to eat, too much to do, and 
more anon. 

"KING HANS." 

(Henry W. Grady.) 

"P. S. — The unanimous opinion is 
that there is a radical and shameful 
mismanagement of all things pertain- 
ing to said institution. The arrange- 
ments are huge, but ^ unwieldly; im- 
mense, but muddled. ... I heard a 
man exclaim this morning while try- 
ing to get his goods entered. *0h, if 
we had them Joneses from the Rome 
Fair we'd get things straightened 
out!' Sensible. A villainous store- 
keeper today refused to take Rome 
money.* What must be done with 
him? 

"One of the prettiest and most hope- 
ful features of the fair is that the 
exhibitors all show an anxiety to get 
their advertisements in The Courier. 
Success will attend such sensible men ! 
Rome has many representatives here. 
Messrs. Noble and Cohen are attract- 
ing considerable attention. 

"K. H." 

HENRY GRADY TO GENERAL 
SHERMAN.— On Dec. 22, 1886, at a 
banquet of the New England Society 
at New York, at which Gen. Wm. 
T. Sherman sat at the speakers' table, 
Henry W. Grady declared : 

" 'Bill Arp' struck the keynote when 



he said, 'Well, I killed as many of 
them as they did of me, and so I'm 
going to work!' A Confederate soldier 
returning home after defeat and roast- 
ing some corn on the roadside, said 
to his comrades, 'You may leave the 
South if you want to, but I'm going to 
SaTidersville, kiss my wife and raise 
a crop, and if the Yankees fool with 
me any more, I'll whip 'em again!' I 
want to say to Gen. Sherman, who is 
considered an able man in our parts, 
though some people think he is kind 
of careless about fire, that from the 
ashes he left us in 1864 we have built 
a brave and beautiful city; that some- 
how or other we have caught the sun- 
shine in the bricks and mortar of our 
homes and have builded therein not one 
ignoble prejudice or memory!"** 
* * * 

AN OLD TIMER.— Virgil A. Stew- 
art, son of the late Samuel Stewart, 
Rome's first marshal before the Civil 
War, and grandfather of our own Capt. 
Henry J. Stewart, favored us with a 
call at the office yesterday afternoon 
that was greatly appreciated. Mr. 
Stewart was born Jan. 24, 1836, at 
Rome, consequently is 85 years of age 
and remembers more than most people 
around here. He is one of the two 
surviving members of the Rome Light 
Guards who went out to fight for the 
Confederacy in April, 1861, the other 
being B. James Franks, of Armuchee. 
Mr. Franks was a recruit, so that 
leaves "Virge" as the last surviving 
charter member. 

He is a nephew of his uncle name- 
sake, the late Virgil A. Stewart, of 
Lawrenceville, who under the guise of 
an "outlaw" joined the band of John 
A. Murrell and captured that notorious 
character at the Mississippi River in 
Arkansas. Murrell's gang operated 
through the South, as far as Florida, 
before the removal of the Indians to 
the west, and the Indians got the credit 
for many of their villainies. One of 
their hang-outs in Georgia was at Jug 
Tavern, now Winder, county seat of 
Bartow County. Murrell's capture re- 
sulted in a trial in Tennessee which 
pu^ him in the penitentiary for life at 
Nashville, and he died there. The 
original Virgil A. Stewart went to 
Mississippi before the Civil War and 
warned the people of a contemplated 
insurrection among the negroes. 

When asked how old he was, Rome's 

*This must have been some of the printing 
press money issued by Mayor Zach Hargrove 
in 1869 to relieve a local stringency. 

**Sherman joined in the general tumult pro- 
voked by these remarks. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



255 



Virgil A. Stewart replied that he was 
"thirteen." Somebody in the office 
remarked that he could pass for 60 
easily enough, which seemed to please 
him greatly. He said he did it living 
out in the open, "catching water moc- 
casins, eels and fish" from the rivers 
of Rome. 

"I see by the paper," remarked Mr. 
Stewart, "that Judge George Harris, 
of the Flat Woods, thinks he can walk 
anybody down in a day that ain't less 
than 70. You can just tell him for me 
that if he talks much like that I'll 
take him up the river banks and back 
again in a way he won't forget!" 

Mr. Stewart relates how a big crowd 
gathered about the year 1835 to see 
two Indians hung on Bi-oad Street 
near Ninth Avenue. Somebody that 
wanted to see the spectacle lugged 
him along, although he was only two 
years old. The Indians were Barney 
Swimmer and Terrapin, convicted of 
killing a pale face named Ezekiel 
Blatchford (or Braselton). They were 
strung from a piece of timber laid 
across two limbs, and for a long time 
afterward the tree bore notches to 
show the spot. 

Mr. Stewart is authority for the fol- 
lowing statements: 

He was at one time, at 2 years of 
age, the only boy in Rome; Arthur 
Hood started the first newspaper, and 
Howard Jack and a Mr. Walker fol- 
lowed him; William Smith owned the 
first ferry, which served DeSoto, the 
peninsula and Hillsboro (South Rome) 
at the head of the Coosa, and hired 
William H. Adkins, Sr., to build him 
the first steamboat, and Matt and 
Overton Hitchcock to erect the first 
bridge, a covered affair, where the 
Fifth Avenue bridge now stands. 

Smith owned the land where the Al- 
fred Shorter (D. B. Hamilton) home 
is on the Alaljama road, and kept a 
crib of corn open to the poor. He built 
on the hill across the Alabama road 
from the spring nearby. John Smith, 
a brother, went to California during 
the gold epidemic and died there. Chas. 
Smith, another brother, moved to Cass 
(Bartow) county and died there. 

Mr. Stewart says deer used to run 
wild through the woods around Rome 
in the thirties, and that Jim Ragan 
shot one near the Etowah River and 
the foot of Third Avenue, about the 
location of the John W. Maddox place, 
in front of the old J. A. Gammon 
home spot. 

Mrs. Robert Battey used to have a 
pet deer given her by her father, 



William Smith, and she had seen deer 
jump the fences while the dogs chased 
them. Her deer became enraged on 
one occasion, attacked a woman and 
had to be shot. 

:1: * * 

READY WIT OF THE UNDER- 
WOODS. — Many clever stories are 
told of the "absolution" with which 
the late Judge John W. H. Under- 
wood, Congressman from Rome before 
the Civil War and noted humorist and 
wit, dominated jury and bar. Rome 
lawyers of the old school like Judge 
Joel Branham, Judge G. A. H. Harris 
and Frank Copeland remember well 
his fine sarcasm, his rare good nature 
and the quickness of his intellect. 

A lawyer whose client had "gone up 
the spout — guilty" asked Judge Un- 
derwood for a light sentence because 
the defendant was somewhat dull, to 
which the Judge replied: "Then it 
will take a heavy penalty to make an 
impression on him," and gave the man 
the limit. 

At a meeting in Pittsburg of the 
Tariff Commission to which President 
Arthur in 1882 appointed Judge Un- 
derwood, a Mr. Butler stated that pro- 
tection would increase the number of 
furnaces and thus reduce the price of 
pig iron. "Then," queried Judge Un- 
derwood, "you want a high tariff so 
you can sell your product at a low 
price?" 

At another time the elder Under- 
wood wrote to a friend: "I cheerfully 
recommend my son, John, for the job 
of Solicitor General. He has more 
ambition for office and fewer qualifi- 
cations than any man I ever saw!" 

A story is told locally which illus- 
trates the fine sense of humor and the 
quick perception of Judge John W. H. 
Underwood. A Rome man who was in 
a financial tight went to Judge Under- 
wood to obtain his endorsement. 

"If you will sign my note I will go 
to the bank and get $300," stated the 
caller. 

"Just make it $600," shot back Judge 
Underwood, "I need that much my- 
self." 

Judge Nisbet wrote of the elder Un- 
derwood, who was the block of which 
the son was a chip: "Judge Un- 
derwood, the elder, was a greater wit 
than Sheridan, but unfortunately, he 
had no Boswell to write his biogra- 
phy or Constitution reporter to pub- 
lish what he said. He was once en- 
gaged in a case, and the judge, after 



256 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



charging very violently against him, 
locked the jury up for the night and 
adjourned the court. After tea the 
Judge and Underwood were walking on 
the piazza of the hotel near the court- 
house, and heard quite a movement of 
chairs and feet in the jury i-oom, at 
which the judge remarked, 'I believe 
the jury have gone to prayers.' Un- 
derwood said: 'I suspect so. Failing 
to get any light from your honor's 
charge, they are seeking it from 
above.' " 

Governor John B. Gordon wrote: 

"When Underwood lived in Elbert, a 
man was abusing him roundly, and 
ended by saying, 'Yes, sir, and I un- 
derstand you were a Federalist!' To 
this Judge Underwood replied : 'In 
those times there were but two par- 
ties in this country: — Federalists and 
fools. I was a Federalist and I never 
heard you, sir, accused of being one.' " 

The following story is told of the 
elder Underwood: 

"Cooahullie Creek, near Dalton, was 
swollen from rains and Judge Under- 
wood and other lawyers were trying 
to reach a courthouse on the opposite 
side in buggies. The Judge hauled 
up in front and was urged on by his 
companions. He answered, 'No, it is 
appointed unto man once to die, but it 
shall never be said of Wm. H. Under- 
wood that he was drowned in Cooa- 
hullie Creek.' " 

John T. Boifeuillet, of Macon, relates 
the following: 

"In these prohibition times of court 
trials of liquor violations it may be 
apropos to tell of an incident that hap- 
pened when Judge J. W. H. Underwood, 
the celebrated Georgia wit, was on 
the Superior Court bench. Certain 
temperance regulations were in ex- 
istence. In the hearing of a liquor 
case the defendant said he sold the 
whisky on a doctor's prescription, 
which he was at the time holding in 
his hand. 'Let me see that paper,' 
said the judge. It was handed to him, 
and he read it aloud from the bench. 

" 'Let the bearer have one quart of 
whisky for sickness. 

'JOHN JOHNSON, M. D.' 

" 'Yes,' said the judge, 'M. D. in the 
morning means 'mighty dry,' and in 
the evening, 'mighty drunk.' " 

The following incident is related by 
Henry Peeples, Atlanta attorney: 

"The Tariff Commission appointed 
to visit the various sections of the 
country and report on the tariff work- 



ings came to Atlanta and sent out in- 
vitations asking any one interested to 
meet with them and point out unjust 
discriminations as they saw them. 
Judge J. W. H. Underwood was a mem- 
ber of the comrnission. When the 
board assembled in the convention hall 
of the Kimball House they were greet- 
ed by a single man, come to talk over 
the tariff. For two hours or more he 
fired question after question at the 
tariff experts, turned the 'evidence 
meeting' into a debate between himself 
and the board and showed those gen- 
tlemen just what the situation was in 
the South. 

" 'What is your name?' asked the 
commission of the young man. 

" 'I am Woodrow Wilson, a lawyer,' 
he answered. 

"Mr. Wilson was a practicing attor- 
ney in Atlanta at the time of the visit 
of the commission, having been there 
possibly two years. 

"Judge Underwood's wit was caustic 
at times. He once made the follow- 
ing statement to which many persons 
may agree: 'Debt and death sound 
very much alike, and there is but lit- 
tle difference between them.' " 

UNDERWOOD'S FIRST FEE.— 
Mrs. Florence Underwood Eastman re- 
lates how her father, the late Judge 
Jno. W. H. Underwood, won his first 
"legal fee." Her grandfather. Judge 
Wm. H. Underwood, had been commis- 
sioned by John Ross to attend to legal 
matters connected with the removal of 
the Cherokee Indians westward. About 
the same time, Rev. Jno. F. Schermer- 
horn, of Utica, N. Y., was sent to 
Rome by the government as removal 
commissioner. A big pow-wow was 
held at the home of John Ridge, Cher- 
okee Indian, at "Running Waters." 
Near here the Cherokees held their 
Green Corn dances, at which the In- 
dians would gather from miles around, 
pin corn shuck aprons around their 
waists, and tie shells containing peb- 
bles around their ankles and dance for 
hours. 

Mr. Schermerhorn and Judge Wm. 
H. Underwood opened the meeting 
July 19, 1835, and were preparing for 
a continuation of the pow-wow at 
New Echota (New Town), Gordon 
County, north of Calhoun, where the 
treaty was finally to be signed (it was 
signed Dec. 29, 1835), and there was 
much "paper work" to be done. Judge 
Underwood and Mr. Schermerhorn 
pitched into the work. The Judge's 
son, John, was waiting nearby, watch- 
ing. "Why couldn't we put the lad to 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



257 



work?" inquired Mr. Schermerhorn. 
'Try him," suggested the father. 

Young John caught on readily, work- 
ed all night, and next morning Mr. 
Schermerhorn handed him $50. "Not 
bad for a starter in legal business!" 
chuckled young Underwood, as he 
crammed the bill down into his jeans 
and ran home. — Jan. 19, 1921. 
* * * 

A PEN PICTURE OF ROME.*— 
(H. W. Johnstone, in the Rome Trib- 
une Jan. 26, 1907) : 

"The man looks back on what the 
boy saw with his eager eyes before the 
Civil War. Among the boy's earliest 
recollections is a group around the 
old courthouse at court (East First) 
and Bridge Streets (Fifth Avenue), 
and the building itself, with its white 
medallions and red gables reminded 
him that here was a civilizing outpost 
in North Georgia which kept watch 
over the destinies of mankind. 

"The corner opposite the courthouse 
building was a two-story affair with 
a wide veranda across the front. 

"Down the hill from the courthouse 
on the west side of Broad Street was 
a two-story hotel known as the 'Amer- 
ican House,' with a wide veranda 
across the front. The postofRce was 
in this building at one time. 

"South of this were the stores of 
Sanders, Sullivan, the two Ombergs, 
Henry Smith and R. S. Norton. The 
first bi'ick store in this block was 
erected by Sanders, and is now oc- 
cupied by a hardware house. 

"This store, and the yard in its 
rear, was the scene of an escapade of 
which the boy may tell you later. It 
was so near a tragedy that he never 
divulged his knowledge of it for twen- 
ty years ! 

"On the corner below Norton's was 
Miles and Riley Johnson's, then came 
Wimpee's shop, and White's har- 
ness store, which stood about where 
Todd's gi-ocery now is. Thence it 
was vacant (being low and often 
ponded), with a bridge walk built 
several feet above ground to where 
Lanham's store stands. Here stood 
the 'Wells Hotel,' and in rear of this 
was a small frame building. Miss Liz- 
zie Smith's school. 

"Farther down Broad Street were 
other business houses, among them 
A. M. Sloan's, which stood about where 
W. H. Coker is now located. Thence 
it was low and swampy to Oostanaula 
and Etowah Rivers, the only building 

*The scene goes back to 1856. 



being the Rome Railroad depot, which 
was also used by the boats. This was 
located about where the Central depot 
now is. It was an ordinary 'up and 
down' frame house raised several feet 
upon piling. The vacant space, sev- 
eral acres, was the 'circus ground ' 
It was covered with grass and in wet 
seasons a pond was near the depot. 

"At the foot of Broad Street the 
new bridge connected Rome with 'Lick 
Skillet hills, now South Rome. On 
these hills the stage driver always 
winded his bugle as signal for pas- 
sengers and mail. 

"Crossing Broad Street at the depot 
and coming north, the first building 
he remembers was the Ketcham House, 
on the ground now occupied by the 
Taylor-Norton Drug Co. Back of this 
was a field, and where Second Avenue 
now enters Broad Street was a gate 
thence along Broad Street was a fence 
to where J. J. Cohen's store stood— 
about where Fahy's now is. Thence 
to Fourth Avenue was vacant. 

"The rear of Rounsaville's ware- 
house covers a spring, the branch from 
it flowed through Douglas' stable lot, 
crossed Broad Street, formed a 'pond' 
and went through a deep ravine into 
Oostanaula River where Third Avenue 
ends. 

"Hardin & Smyer were on the cor- 
ner of Fourth Avenue, then came 
Johnson & Gwyn, next was Fried's, 
then vacant lots to the Choice House. 
About 1852 Wm. Ramey established 
the first livery stable on the site of 
the present Masonic Temple. A year 
later Wm. C. G. Johnstone built a ve- 
hicle repository where Kay's stable 
is and a large brick warehouse on the 
present Baptist church lot. 

"Wm. R. Smith's 'Continental Shop' 
was on the corner above the Choice 
House. Immediately fronting this was 
DeJournett's, a two-story frame struct- 
ure. In the upper story of this build- 
ing the first Masonic lodge was insti- 
tuted. Later, under the lead of Wm. 
Choice, Arm. Harper, 'Billie' Ross, and 
others, it became 'Thespian Hall.' This 
was used for theatrical performances 
and school exhibitions. Across the 
years the boy can still hear the 
voice of Billy Hills addressing the 
'Conscript Fathers.' The ringing in- 
quiry of Cooper Nesbit, 'Why is the 
Forum Crowded? What means this 
stir in Rome?' And the eloquent Jack 
Hutchings assuring us that he 'came 
to bury Caesar, not to praise him!' 

"Some of the little boys of those 
days are with us still. I am sure 



258 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Charlie H. could again entrance us 
with the 'Sailor Boy's Dream/ and 
Dolph R. could tell us of that dis- 
astrous 'Smacking in the District 
School, not far away.' 

"Memory fixes no residences south 
of Fourth Avenue and east of Second 
Street, except Cooley's, and one or two 
near the present site of the Baptist 
church. 

"From Third Street east, to the 
river, and south of Fourth Avenue, 
nearly to Second Avenue, was the fin- 
est grove of oaks he ever saw. A few 
of these trees were standing near East 
Fourth street lately. This was known 
as 'The Grove,' sacred to political bar- 
becues, and Cupid's delightful arch- 
ery. 

"Between Fourth and Fifth Avenues 
on the east side of Third Street were 
two residences facing west, their broad 
lots extending back to the Etowah 
river. Fronting these residences, and 
extending over the hill to the court- 
house, was nearly all a grove of field 
pines. The only residences on this 
space were Callahan's, where the 
Episcopal church now is. Duke's, on 
southeast corner, and Wm. C. G. John- 
stone's near the crest, just back of the 
courthouse. 

"On the crest of the hill stood the 
academy, a long one-story, two-room 
brick building, its west entrance 
guarded by an enormjous gnarled 
chestnut tree. If memory is true, this 
academy was built by" subscription 
under the auspices of S. J. Stevens. 
While it was being erected Mr. Ste- 
vens' school was located on a mound 
just beyond the Shropshire residence 
• — all woods then — now Forrestville. 

"About 1853 Mr. Stevens built an 
academy in the valley between the 
residence of Major Ross and Reece's 
spring. This academy was a two- 
story frame structure. A long stair- 
way, built outside, gave entrance to 
the upper school room. This build- 
ing was burned a few years later. At 
this school the boy first knew Dick 
Cothran, Button and Ike Hume, Billie 
Ross, Tom Berrien, Wm. Hills, Wm. 
Tuggle, Jack Hutchings and Cooper 
Nesbit, and among the small lads were 
George C. Douglas, son of Dr. George 
B. Douglas, 'Randy' Mitchell, Sam 
Lumpkin, Thomas Cuyler, T. J. Ver- 
dery (whose home was the old resi- 
dence of Major Ridge, chief of the 
Cherokees, which stood, and remains 
on Oostanaula River above Battey's 
Shoals). Henry Stovall rode his pony 
to school from his home on the Sum- 



nierville road, where Mr. Brown now 
resides — just beyond the old Asa 
Smith home — now Willingham's. 

"The second principal at the Rome 
Academy was P. M. Sheibley, then a 
young man of fine appearance and 
pleasing manners. He was a finish- 
ed scholar, a firm, competent teacher. 
His pupils owe to him more than can 
be expressed here. At this school the 
boy first knew C. M. Harper, Dolph 
Rounsaville, John and 'Scrap' Black, 
Tyler Mobley, and that fine youth who 
was drowned in the Oostanaula, Albert 
Jones. 

"On the corner of Seventh Avenue 
stood Simpson's cabinet shop, where 
sash, doors and blinds were first made 
in Rome. West of this, on the emi- 
nence, stood the residence of R. S. 
Norton. What a home-maker he was, 
what a character builder! His sons 
were often welcome visitors at the 
homes of the boy's father and paternal 
grandfather. No finer gentleman ever 
tinted the 'grey' with the ultimate 
sacrifice than did Charles Norton! 
Two of the great marts of the Central 
West and the iron metropolis of the 
South feel the impress of R. S. Nor- 
ton's character, through his living sons. 
His life-work was a benediction to this 
city! Even the flowers bloomed rapt- 
urously in tribute to his gentleness and 
care! 

"Probably the oldest hotel in Rome 
stood on the corner of Eighth Ave- 
nue. It was constructed of hewn tim- 
bers, drawn shingles, split lathes and 
plaster. On a medallion sign, swing- 
ing over the road, was the legend, 
'Travelers' Rest — John Quinn.' 

"Across Broad Street, fronting 
'Travelers' Rest,' was the residence of 
Judge Nathan Yarbrough. Nestling 
far back in a shaded yard on south- 
v/est corner of Ninth Avenue was the 
home of Dr. Vernon, whose daughter, 
Helen, was the first 'belle' the boy re- 
members, but on the next corner above 
was a yardfull, where Hon. J. W. H. 
Underwood resided. 

"North of this, extending to the 
brick residence of Daniel R. Mitchell, 
located about where John Davis now 
resides, was a forest of oaks and pop- 
lars, enclosing Mitchell's Pond, fit to 
be 'God's first temples.' 

"The square as now bounded by 
First and Second Streets, Fifth and 
Sixth Avenues, was a deep ravine, then 
heavily wooded. On its southwest cor- 
ner was the Episcopal church, on the 
northeast was the Methodist 'meeting 
house.' In the bottom of the ravine 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



259 



stood the old gaol, built of logs, and 
the windows strongly grated. Near 
the gaol was a spring which flowed 
down the ravine, across Sixth Ave- 
nue and Broad Street and into the 
Oostanaula. 

"Ah! what memories — from b»y to 
man!" 

* * * 

(Mar. 24, 1907.) 

The DeSoto chronicles describe the 
location of the Cherokee capital vil- 
lage as being on a long island — and, 
according to the Indian legends, the 
Oostanaula must have divided near 
Battey's Shoals, the "cut off" passing 
near the east foot of the Hills o'Ross 
across the bottom under the present 
Central railroad trestle to the Coosa. 
There are indications of this old 
course even now. Many changes of 
this nature could, and have, come in 
the 365 years since DeSoto passed. 

Let us go back to the early "fifties" 
and meet some of the old citizens. 

That tall man walking this way is 
Col. Pennington; he believes in rail- 
roads and steamboats. He always 
carries that cane and umbrella, but 
never uses either. 

Notice that nervous, quick moving 
man meeting him. He has a habit of 
bringing his hand to his waist, then 
swings it out as if to brush you aside, 
but Thomas Perry is a fine man "for 
a' that." 

That portly gentleman walking up 
the terrace is Judge Lumpkin. He 
had that mansion built in 1843. He 
is big hearted, broad minded and de- 
serves his great popularity. You see 
John Quinn has changed his sign from 
"Travelers' Rest" to "Cross Keys Ho- 
tel," and, you can buy ginger cakes 
from Mother Quinn — in the cellar. 

That's Mr. Lamkin's grocery store 
next to the Choice House. Just be- 
low it is A. M. Lamb's candy store, ad- 
joining Tom Perry's store, only a 
plank partition separates them. 

That's Jimmie Lee, he owns the 
fish traps above the ford on the "High- 
tower." He is the same fellow who 
nearly drowned Will Adkins. 

That flowered silk dress designates 
Mrs. Sholes. She watches Jimmie's 
"traps" and tells on every boy she 
sees near them. None of the boys like 
her. The boys and girls do not like 
that fancy dressed man with her — for 
he trades in negroes — his name is Jo- 
seph Norris. 

*Father of L. W. McCay, professor of chem- 
istry at Princeton University and native Roman. 



Look out for that short, stout, keen- 
eyed man with the "big stick." He is 
the town marshal, Samuel Stewart. 
Ihat enormous creature following at 
his heels is "Wolf"— his terrible hound 
He never failed to catch boys who did 
any devilment— but once! Sometime 
I may tell you of that "once." 

That gentleman with the Alsatian 
tace— who talks with his hands— is 
one of God's helpers in beautifying 
the earth. We should not forget Dr 
Berckmans. 

You will notice that Robt. T. Mc- 
Cay's* hardware store is on that cor- 
ner, the first hardware store in Rome. 
That stocky, earnest-faced man talking 
to McCay is an Englishman who is 
introducing the iron industry in Rome 
— Mr. Noble. 

Those six men sitting on the veranda 
of the Choice House are more or less 
politicians, yet each one has an inter- 
esting history. 

The tallest one with the smooth 
strong Scotch face is the "Iron King" 
of Georgia, Mark A. Cooper, a visitor. 
Next to him is Augustus R. Wright, 
a Congressman, a great lawyer and an 
impassioned forensic orator. His gifts 
have descended, in good measure, to 
his sons. The tall, clean faced man 
with the cane is James M. Spullock, 
one of the finest fingered politicians 
in the state. He is the man who as 
United States Marshal for Georgia 
seized the yacht "Wanderer" and sold 
her as a condemned "slaver." The 
"Wanderer" was Charles B. Lamar's 
private yacht— she was chartered by a 
party of Noi-thern men to make a cruise. 
She returned to Savannah loaded with 
African slaves, was captured, con- 
demned and sold. Her owner, Lamar, 
was exonerated from all blame, but 
lost his yacht. The Northern men who 
made the cruise escaped to New York. 
This is the nearest the South ever 
became interested in "slave trade." 
Most of these Africans were seized and 
returned to their country. 

That stout, jolly gentleman was 
later a captain under Forrest. His 
memory will abide principally be- 
cause he was Henry W. Grady's uncle 
— Henry A. Gartrell. 

The brown-eyed gentleman with 
black hair and moustache — so erect in 
carriage — and earnest in manner, was 
the first Mayor of Rome (the only 
public office he ever held — except the 
Confederate marshalship of Georgia). 
He was appointed Colonel of a regi- 
ment of a Partisan Rangers, but was 
induced to resign it and head the com- 



260 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




STEAMBOATS AND THEIR HARDY "SKIPPERS." 

, The John . S^a.; 2 TH a^o^a B. Sea.; 33-^C^-t.^R^M. CouUer. ^w 

t°::L^°oTiu:^^eA V^hfAlabalrS-The Gadsden. «-Capt^_Franl. Benjannn; lO-Cap.. 
J. M. Elliott; 11— The Resaca. with hunting party and Same 12 The Annie 
sea. All these vessels succumbed to gales, fmancial or otherwise. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



261 



pany which produced salt for the poor 
of the state, during- the war between 
the states. He is Wm. C. G. Johnstone 
(known familiarly as "Black Wm. 
Johnstone"). 

The last of the group, who appears 
so elegantly at ease, could claim dis- 
tinction in science, politics and liter- 
ature. He was a physician, a United 
States Senator, an author of note and 
an orator of exceptional power. During 
the war of 1812-15, two young men 
became close comrades and friends. 
When they parted it was agreed that 
their sons should bear the same names. 
Both were scholars and curiously they 
selected the names of the great poets. 
Time passed. Major Clem Powers, of 
Effingham County, named his three 
sons Homer, Virgil and Milton. Some 
years later he named his fourth son 
Horace. 

Meantime his friend had one son 
born to him, and he was named Homer 
Virgil Milton Miller. The second wife 
of Wm. C. G. Johnstone was a daugh- 
ter of Major Clem Powers, and her 
meeting with Dr. Miller is a vivid 
memory. 

Picture — Lumpkin, Hamilton, Mil- 
ler, Wright, Battey, Underwood, Smith 
("Bill Arp"), Spullock, with their 
ladies at our hospitable board — with 
Gartrell to fire the train — and you can 
imagine how humor flowed, wit spar- 
kled, whether the subject be politics 
or literature — and remember, litera- 
ture was mostly the "leather-bound" 
classics, also that the ladies often bore 
the palms. 

I do not say such people are not 
with us. But somehow I do not meet 
them. I may be "out of date" — but 
I enjoy recalling the days when hon- 
or was kept bright — a mortgage was 
a curiosity — and slander dared not 
touch a woman ! But I digress — yet 
I warned you that this — 

"Might, perhaps, turn out a song; 
Perhaps turn out a sermon!" 

Let us again go up the river. We 
will pass the service cottage erected 
by Dr. George Battey, "When you and 
I were young," and stop by those large 
trees about an hundred paces anent 
the old Ridge house. I hope the old 
trees are yet there. 

The Ridge house was then occupied 
by Mr. Verdery, one of whose daugh- 
ters married Warren Akin; another 
married Dr. George Battey. The fam- 
ily moved to Polk County, thence to 
Augusta, Ga. 



Under these trees (near the Ridge 
house) was located the earliest and 
largest store in this section of Geor- 
gia — if not in the whole Cherokee 
country. It was operated in the name 
of George M. Lavender, Major Ridge 
(the chief) being a silent partner. An 
immense business was transacted and 
the owners grew very rich. The busi- 
ness was closed about 1837 and in the 
division Lavender received a large 
amount in money and property, esti- 
mated by some to have been more than 
a quarter of a million dollars. George 
Lavender never married. His estate 
passed to his sisters, one of whom 
married Ray, whose descendants live 
about Newnan and Atlanta. Another 
sister, Edith Lavender, resided on an 
eminence east of the present North 
Rome depot. She remained unmar- 
ried until about 1847, when a man 
appeared to take the contract to grade 
the Rome Railroad. This was Joseph 
Printup. He secured the contract, but 
had not the means to operate success- 
fully. Edith Lavender fell in love 
with the enterprising stranger, mar- 
ried him, and her money enabled him 
to make his venture a success. 

Joseph assisted his brother, Daniel 
S. Printup, through Union college, 
New York, and located him here, where 
his family remain. Major Joseph 
Printup had no children. Many years 
ago he was drowned in an insignifi- 
cant branch near his home. His prop- 
erty, including the "Printup Ferry" es- 
tate in Gordon County, passed to the 
children of Daniel S. Printup. 

Dr. Reece. the father of John H. 
and James Reece, was a delicate gen- 
tleman who was surgeon of the regi- 
ment of state troops sent here to re- 
move the Cherokees to the banks of 
the Tennessee. Miles Reece, an uncle 
of Capt. John Reece, came to Cher- 
okee before his brother. He became 
intimately conversant with legends and 
affairs of the Cherokees, and was an 
encyclopedia of Indian lore. 

An anecdote of Chief Ridge will 
serve to show how Indian traits clung 
to him. 

John Ridge, a son of Major Ridge, 
resided in Ricige's Valley. Chief Ridge 
had a handsome daughter; educated, 
proud and given more or less to van- 
ity. She induced her father to order 
her a fine coach. It was sent from 
New York and created a sensation. 
It was hung on leather swings at- 
tached to large "C" springs, the 
driver's seat being on top. 

This outfit arrived just before the 



262 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



annual "Green corn dance," which was 
held at Major Ridge's. The coach was 
ordered to convey Sarah to the dance. 
The horses were harnessed to it and 
the negro driver stood ready. Chief 
Ridge inspected the outfit, even shak- 
ing the wheels to be sure they would 
stand up. 

Sarah came out in silks and feath- 
ers; her father assisted her to climb 
the folding steps, closed the steps and 
door, then walked around to the driver, 
took the reins and ordered the driver 
to go back to his field work. Chief 
Ridge then mounted one of the horses, 
with the gathered reins in his hands 
and galloped away to the "Green corn 
dance." 

* * * 

DAYS THAT ARE GONE.— Maj. 
Chas. H. Smith (Bill Arp), sent the 
following letter to the Rome Tribune 
of Sunday, Sept. 2, 1894: 

"Cartersville, Ga., Sept. 1, 1894. 

"To Mr. W. Addison Knowles, 
"Editor The Tribune, 
"Rome, Ga. 

"Dear Mr. Knowles: 'Illium fuit — 
Illium est,' Rome was — Rome is, but 
it is not the same Rome we old Ro- 
mans used to know. Everything is 
changed but the rivers and Bill Ramey 
and old father Norton. 

"I moved to Rome in 1851, but for 
several years before that I used to 
visit there and prospect for a place 
to move to. I had a brother there 
practising medicine. It is nearly 50 
years since I made my first visit. The 
Rome railroad was finished to Eve's 
Station, and the hacks met us there. 
There were no bridges across the 
rivers and the ferrying was done at 
the junctions. All down town was in 
the woods. What magnificent timber 
covered the bottom where down town 
is now! 

"I went squirrel hunting there with 
Joe Norris. Joe was clearing the low 
ground for Colonel Shorter and had 
deadened the timber. The road from 
the ferry was awful. I have seen six- 
mule teams stall in the gulch that was 
where the Lumpkin block was after- 
ward built. But you don't know where 
that is. It is the block opposite the 
Denson building. But you never heard 
of Denson. Well, the lowest part of 
the gulch was right in the middle of 
the street that comes down Cooley hill 
and crosses Broad. 

"Maybe you have heard of Hollis 
Cooley. He was an unpretending gen- 
tleman ; as honest a Yankee as ever 



lived. I went to school to his sister in 
Lawrenceville when I was a lad. Hol- 
lis Cooley never had a lawsuit in his 
life, and always declared that there 
was no necessity for anybody having 
one. 

"Old father Norton said, 'But, Hol- 
lis, suppose some rascal was to come 
along, and knowing your mind about 
going to law, should lay claim to your 
house and lot, when then?' 'I would 
give up to him before I would go to 
law with him,' said Hollis. 'Yes, and 
you would play the fool,' said Norton. 
'By George, I would law him till his 
heels flew up.' 

"I was remarking about that awful 
pull up the little steep hill from the 
gulch to where Major Ayer's store 
was. But I forgot. The major hasn't 
got any store. Well, it was about op- 
posite Morrison's livery stable, or 
Flemming's saddle shop, or Tom Per- 
ry's law office, or somewhere there in 
the middle of the road. It's bothering 
me awfully to locate things. Bill Ra- 
mey will show you where it was. The 
hill was short and steep and sticky, 
and I have seen strong teams stall 
there and the wagon cut back and 
nearly turn over. Norton's store was 
then away down town. It was right 
where it is now, but it was down town, 
the lowest down of any, and was a lit- 
tle, low, long, narrow, one-story house 
with the hind end stuck in the hill so 
deep that you could almost step on the 
roof. 

"There were no houses down town. 
Old man Crutchfield was building the 
court house. The Western Bank of 
Georgia was doing a busting business 
in that office back of the Choice Hotel 
— that same little office on the corner 
as you go up the hill to the court 
house. Yes, it was doing a busting 
business, and it busted. Not long after 
it closed its doors I went there with 
$7,000 of its money and knocked at the 
door and demanded payment in bi- 
metallic currency, but there was no 
response and nobody opened the door. 
I had to make the demand at the 
bank's last place of doing business be- 
fore I could sue. But the dog was 
dead and my client never realized a 
dollar. 

"By the time we moved to Rome 
down town was looming up. C. T. 
Cunningham had a big cotton ware- 
house on the river bank, and Rhode 
Hill and Bill Cox were clerking for 
him. The first time I ever saw Rhode 
he was having big fun by hiding an 
egg under Jack Shorter's shirt collar, 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



263 



and he bet Cox a dime that he couldn't 
find it. Cox felt all about Jack's 
clothes, and accidentally broke the egg, 
and it ran down Jack's back. But 
Jack got the dime and that satisfied 
him. 

"Rhode found bigger game later on 
and is now a Peachtree nabob in At- 
lanta. Cunningham built a nice resi- 
dence at the end of Howard Street. 
It is the Woodruff place, and Wm. 
E. Alexander built the Rounsaville 
house, and Dr. Battey built where he 
now lives. Alexander was Norton's 
partner for a while, but he moved 
down town and took in Colonel Shorter 
as a partner. Mr. Norton never moved 
— neither his dwelling place nor his 
store. He improved both, but never 
moved. Before I moved I bought me 
a very nice home over there on the 
hill where DeJournett and Treada- 
way and Omberg lived. You know 
where that is. No, you don't, either, 
you are too young to know much about 
anything — anything antiquated, I 
mean. Well, it is not far from father 
Norton's house, the third house from 
the corner as you go down towards 
the river. Dr. Smith, my brother, lived 
in the first and Nicholas Omberg in the 
second. Old Mother Ragan lived right 
in front of Norton's, and Sumter & 
Torbet's machine works were down in 
the corner of his garden. 

"Jim Sumter was one of the best 
men I ever knew, the best mechanic, 
the best magistrate, the best mayor, 
the best alderman, the best citizen and 
the truest friend. He made for me a 
large and beautiful walnut book case. 
We have it now in our sitting room, 
and I prize it for his sake. It is the 
only piece of furniture the Yankees 
left me. It was so big they couldn't 
move it. They did move the books. 
They loved to read, but they didn't 
read their titles clear to my books. 
About that time the people who were 
the best off made their hom.es on 
the hills. Andrew M. Sloan, who was 
a big merchant and banker, lived in 
a one-story house on the hill where 
Hiles now lives. Dr. P. L. Turnley 
lived neai-by. Mr. Thomas D. Shel- 
ton lived where Shorter College stands. 
Rev. J. M. M. Caldwell and his wife 
lived and taught school in the house 
adjacent to the old Methodist church. 
Old Judge Underwood lived on the 
Caldwell college hill with his daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Wilson. The First Baptist 
church was nearby, on the same hill, 
and the old graveyard is not far away. 
"I shall never forget that graveyard, 
for one time I was a Masonic pall- 



bearer there, and I did not stoop low 
enough as we passed under some 
limbs of the crowded trees, and one of 
them took off my hat and my scratch 
with it, and my bald head showed no 
hair apparent to the crown, and ex- 
cited too much levity for the solemn 
occasion. I put the hat on my head 
with much alacrity and put the wig 
in my pocket. I have never worn one 
to a funeral since, nor anywhere else. 
It is one of the comforts of old age 
that a man is not expected to have a 
great profusion of hair, but when he 
is young a very small vacancy hurts 
his feelings mighty bad. 

"James McEntee had been keeping 
hotel midway of the block next above 
the Choice House in 1849, I think, and 
Colonel D. R. Mitchell acquired the 
Buena Vista soon after. Old Jesse 
Lamberth was one of the pioneers, and 
lived in a little house back of the Odd 
Fellows' hall building, but he built a 
better house in front afterward, and 
lived there for many years. 

"Sam Stewart was a very notable 
character in those days, and had the 
reputation of being a cool and daring 
man. His brother, Virgil, helped to 
give Sam reputation, for it was he who 
ran down and caught John A. Murrell, 
the notorious horse thief and highway 
robber. Sam was city marshal for 
many years, and kept all evil doers in 
subjection. He was a good officer, 
but it is said that every man will 
sooner or later meet his match, if not 
his superior. One day Nicholas Om- 
berg broke down the gate of the city 
pound and took his cow out and drove 
her home. Somebody had opened Om- 
berg's gate and let his cow out so as to 
put her in the pound and get the fee 
for taking up stray cattle. Omberg was 
dreadfully mad when his wife told him 
about it, and, as he didn't favor the 
anti-cow ordinance nohow, he took the 
shortest way to recover his cow. 

"When Stewart found what Omberg 
had done he got mad, too, and forth- 
with went to the merchant tailor to 
arrest him. The Norwegian never 
winked or quailed, but seizing an enor- 
mous pair of shears, he rushed at 
Stewart like a mad man and ran him 
out in the street. Stewart said after- 
ward that he had either to run or 
kill him. 

"The city council fined Omberg $50, 
but he carried the case to the supreme 
court and gained it. Nic Omberg was 
a very superior man, and was highly 
esteemed as a citizen and a Christian 
gentleman. About the close of the war 



264 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




MISCELLANEOUS VIEWS RECALLING ROME. 

Here may be seen: a 1921 group of girl High School graduates emerging from the Auditorium 
with their beautiful nosegays; Billy King, 9, Rome's youngest and most famous cartoonist; the 
Second Avenue (E. Rome) Methodist Church; views around the courthouse; a group of young 
players; Gay Jespersen's Lindale band; and a tiny glimpse of Rome. 



Anecdotes and Reminsicences 



265 



some lawless scouts visited old man 
Quinn's house one night to rob him. 
The old man cried for help, and Om- 
berg ran over to defend him and was 
himself shot down and killed. 

"And that causes me to think of 
Tom Perry, at whose house poor Om- 
berg died. Tom Perry was perhaps 
the best known and most beloved cit- 
izen Rome ever had. He was raised 
poor and hard, and had but little ed- 
ucation. He used to haul wood with 
steers in the cold winter with his toes 
sticking out of his old shoes. He mi- 
grated from Lawrenceville to Rome 
before anybody, and when I first visit- 
ed Rome Tom was keeping bar for a 
free negro, Wm. Higginbotham. Next 
he hired to old William R. Smith to 
sweep out the store and knock around. 
Next he got to be clerk in the post- 
office for Nathan Yarbi'ough. Next 
he was postmaster and then a steam- 
boat captain. Next he was elected 
J. P. and held that office for many 
years. He was the chief promoter of 
the Masons and Odd Fellows. He was 
United States commissioner. He was 
the best friend the widows and or- 
phans ever had in Rome, the best 
chairman of the street committee. He 
was always at woi'k doing something 
for somebody. He wrote much for the 
Rome Courier and pasted everything 
he wrote in a scrapbook, and would 
read it on Sundays. When he had 
planned any public thing he would 
write a piece and sign it Vox Populi, 
and then call a meeting at the court 
house to put his measure through. If 
nobody came he called himself to the 
chair and acted as secretary, and pass- 
ed a string of resolutions and had 
them published as the sense of the 
meeting. He never lost any space in 
his manuscript. If there was not room 
for an 'and' at the end of a line, he 
would divide the word and put the d 
at the beginning of the next line. He 
worked up to the full measui'e of his 
capacity and was everybody's friend. 
He looked like a Democrat, for he was 
pigeon-toed and loose-jointed, and chew- 
ed cheap tobacco, but he was an un- 
compromising Whig. 

"When your good father was edit- 
ing the Rome Courier, Tom gave him 
aid and comfort as best he could. I 
remember your father well. He was a 
courtly gentleman. His company was 
always welcome, for he was a good 
talker and never indulged in slang 
or vulgarity or intolerant assertions. 
His gold spectacles became his fea- 
tures and added grace to his individ- 
uality. You were not then in the land 



of the living where peace may be 
sought and pardon found. May you 
emulate your good father's Christian 
example and make the world better 
with your presence. 

But I must not monopolize your 
space. It would take a book to tell 
of ancient Rome and the citizens who 
have gone to the undiscovered country. 
Of William R. Smith and Wm. Smith 
(Mrs. Dr. Battey's father) and Johnny 
Smith, a good man who for the love of 
the beautiful planted water oaks and 
elms around the churches and along the 
down town sidewalks. The trees are 
there yet, and men and women walk 
and children play under their shade. 
Then there was McGuire and Hardin, 
and Quinn, and T. S. Wood, and 
Isham Wood, and Cohen, and Dr. Pat- 
ton, and Dr. Starr, and Dr. King, and 
Dr. Geo. M. Battey, who kept the drug 
store under the Choice House. Ram- 
sey Alexander was a leading lawyer 
there when I moved to Rome. Tom 
came later and so did Judge Under- 
wood. I formed a partnership with 
Colonel Underwood in 1852 and it con- 
tinued for thirteen long and pleasant 
years. 

"Then there appeared some lesser 
lights who kept the little town lively. 
Old Jake Herndon, for instance, the 
town loafer, who never lied from mal- 
ice, but only from habit. He used to 
tell about the big freshet that came in 
June, 1840, and covered all the country 
save the top of court house hill, and 
how he tied his batteau to a gum tree 
on top of that hill, and seeing no place 
for the sole of his foot, he untied it 
and paddled to Horseleg mountain, and 
it was hot, devilish hot, and his ther- 
mometer rose to 240 in the shade. He 
always said thermoneter for thermom- 
eter. Old Jake had told that lie so 
often that he believed it. I think he 
has a son now in the United States 
navy. If folks do 'laugh and grow 
fat,' I think that big John Under- 
wood took on his fat from his daily 
intercourse with old Jake Herndon. 

"And there was Old Man Laub, the 
inimitable cuss who was created just 
to fill un the cracks, like spralls in a 
stone wall. He was a little sassy, loud- 
mouthed rascal, who kept a bakery and 
cake shop, and some blind tiger and 
oysters, just below Dr. Battey's drug 
store. He had two front doors. Over 
one was painted "Laub's here." Over 
the other was painted "Laub's here, 
too." He drove a pair of calico ponies, 
and was always in a fuss with some- 
body, and especially with his wife. 
She would run him out of one front 



266 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



door wth a broom and he would dodge 
into the other. Big John's grocery 
was right opposite across the street, 
and it was a good part of his business 
to watch the antics of the Laub fam- 
ily and shake his fat sides with laugh- 
ter. When I first saw Laub's name 
and sign I thought that Laub's was 
something to sell — some kind of fish 
like oysters or shrimps. I had no idea 
that it was a man's name. 

"Of the notable men who moved 
away and still live, Dr. Miller was 
chief. He lived in a cottage where 
your new court house now stands, and 
his office was on Broad Street, near 
the McEntee house. He had a very 
smart cur dog named Cartouch, who 
laid in the piazza of the doctor's of- 
fice and watched for country dogs as 
they came to town behind farmers' 
wagons. Forthwith Cartouch would 
run to assault him, and would whip 
him if he could, and hurry back be- 
fore the waggoner could punish him. 
If the dog was too big and showed 
fight, Cartouch would hasten back to 
Dailey's house, which was next door, 
and get Dailey's big dog and away 
they both would go and jump on the 
country dog with irresistible violence. 
The doctor enjoyed it immensely, and 
declares to this day that dogs have 
a language and understand each other. 
Cartouch would say to Dailey's dog, 
'Come and help me, come quick, 
there's a big country dog out here that 
I can't manage by myself.' 

"But I will now forbear until the 
spirit moves me again, for I do not 
suppose there are a dozen men living 
who will enjoy these memories. This 
generation is moving forward, not 
backward. 

"Yours truly, 

"CHAS. H. SMITH." 

* * * 

A PROLIFIC BUILDER.— A news- 
paper squib of 1888 says: 

"Jos. B. Patton builds court houses, 
but does not patronize them, never 
having sued or been sued on any con- 
tract." 

Court houses he had erected up to 
that time included Trousdale County, 
Tenn., Benton County, Tenn., Russell 
County, Ky., Chattanooga, Tenn., Cen- 
ter, Cherokee County, Ala., Anniston, 
Calhoun County, Ala., LaFayette, 
Walker County, Ga., Gainesville, Hall 
County, Ga. In the same year he built 
the buildings near DeSoto park for the 
North Georgia & Alabama Exposition. 
Prior to that time and afterward he 
erected many other public buildings 



and residences, notably at Rome. In 
1892-3 he built the Floyd County court 
house, one of the most substantial 
structures anywhere. His work and 
materials were of such a high order 
that he made little money. He died 
comparatively poor, but he has left 
buildings which for a century more 
will silently sing his praises. 
* * * 

"GRANDMA GEORGY'S" "PEN 
PRATTLE."— Mrs. Naomi P. Bale 
contributed these reminiscences to the 
Rome News of Oct. 3, 1921: 

One by one they are passing away 
to give place to new structures, these 
old landmarks of Rome. When the old 
Bradbury house on the corner of Broad 
Street and Sixth Avenue was built, 
I don't know, certainly more than 
seventy years ago, such a thing as a 
"filling station" was not known in the 
wide world. 

This old building has stood the 
storms of more than three score and 
ten years. About forty years ago Col. 
Stokes (grandfather of Misses Estelle 
and Addie Mitchell) came in possession 
of it, put the old house in repair. At 
that time the name "Dolly Varden" 
was prominent — how it originated I 
don't know, but the name was stamp- 
ed on dry goods of every bright color. 
Col. Stokes had the old house painted 
and trimmed in bright colors, and it 
was called "The Dolly Varden." 

Later, Mr. J. L. Bass came in pos- 
session of it and added the "L" that 
jutted out toward Sixth Avenue. 
Neither Col. Stokes nor Mr. Bass ever 
lived in this house. All these years it 
has been occupied by tenants. The 
passing of this old Bradbury house 
brings to mind other localities of homes 
now passed into the "yesterdays" of 
Rome. Just across Broad Street from 
the Bradbury house, where the Audi- 
torium now stands, lived Dr. King (I 
think his name was Joshua), a den- 
tist and medical practitioner combined. 

The Carnegie Library occupies the 
old home place of Mrs. Fannie Moore, 
maternal grandmother of Miss Battle 
Shropshire. 

The west corner of Broad Street 
and Seventh Avenue, where a "filling 
station" has been recently built, was 
once the home of a Mrs. Mitchell. I 
think she was a dressmaker. 

Northwest corner of Seventh Avenue 
and Broad Street, part of the R. S. 
Norton lot, once stood a large furni- 
ture factory operated by Mr. Sumter. 
Mr. Sumter made everything from a 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



267 



pin-tray to a coffin. He was also an 
undertaker. Made the coffin and 
buried the people. Coming back down 
Broad Street where there is another 
"fililng station" southwest corner Sixth 
Avenue and Broad Street, stood the 
home of Mrs. Pierson; later, Col. W. 
S. Cothran, also Dr. J. B. Underwood 
and until a few years ago occupied by 
Mrs. Isham J. Wood. Mr. Waring 
Best's garage is where Col. Thomas 
Alexander lived right after the Civil 
war. On the enclosed lot adjoining the 
Best garage stood the old McEntee 
House — the first hotel in Rome. Sev- 
eral years ago this old building was 
sold to Dr. Robert Battey, who con- 
verted it into a hospital and it was 
known as the Martha Battey Hospital. 
I think the property is now owned by 
the Kuttner Realty Company. The 
old Buena Vista is yet fresh in our 
minds. This at one time was the lead- 
ing hotel in Rome, with Mrs. Choice 
proprietress. The Curtis Undertaking 
Company (colored) occupies the oldest 
brick building in Rome. I have been 
told that the oldest wooden house in 
Rome is the corner of Fifth Avenue 
and East Second Street, now occupied 
by Mr. Ward. Probably Misses Om- 
berg on West First Street are the only 
residents who occupy their ancestral 
home of ante-bellum days. The Spul- 
lock home on Broad Street, now occu- 
pied by Dr. Shamblin, was built about 
1857. Judge D. M. Hood's home, ad- 
joining the Spullocks, has been moved 
nearer Broad Street, the lot divided 
and a bungalow built. Col. A. T. Har- 
din also lived here. 

Judge J. W. H. Underwood's old 
home has passed into stranger hands 
— the house raised, and the homes of 
Dr. McKoy and Mr. J. M. Lay have 
been built. 

Where Joe Jenkins and Mr. McKew 
now live was Judge Underwood's gar- 
den. Mr. Max Meyerhardt lives on 
the Quinn lot. The Quinn property 
was divided into building lots after Mr. 
Quinn's death and sold. Linton Van- 
diver, Mr. Keith and Mr. Berry have 
homes on what was once the Quinn 
garden. The large brick house now 
occupied by R. L. Morris was built by 
Mr. Crutchfield and given to his 
daughter, Mrs. J. H. Lumpkin, as a 
bridal present in the early forties. The 
homes of Mr. A. S. Burney and Mr. 
Fuller occupy the site of the Chero- 
kee Female Institute, built and man- 
aged by Col. Simpson Fouche. Later 
this building passed into the posses- 
sion of the Presbyterian church, and 
was known as the Rome Female Col- 



lege with Rev. and Mrs. J. M. M. 
Caldwell as president and dean. After 
the suspension of the college, Dr. J. 
B. S. Holmes converted it into a san- 
itarium. The building was burned and 
the property divided into lots and sold 
for residences. 

The First Baptist church, organized 
in 1835, yet stands on the corner of 
Eighth Avenue and West Fifth Street 
and is now an apartment house owned 
by Mrs. Griffin. My own home, 601 
East First Street, was the cradle of 
the first newspaper published in Rome 
— Samuel Jack, editor and printer. It 
was called the Rome Enterprise. This 
item was given me by Miss Amanda 
Jack, a daughter of Mr. Samuel Jack. 
My home was also the Methodist par- 
sonage before the Civil War. In 1906 
the old house went down in ashes and 
I had it rebuilt on practically the 
same foundation. My husband pur- 
chased it from the estate of Mr. Mc- 
Guire about thirty years ago. There 
are yet many old homes in Rome of 
historical interest. Col. Alfred Shorter, 
Daniel R. Mitchell, C. M. Penning- 
ton, Major Ayer and other prominent 
men did much in laying the foun- 
dation on which Rome now stands. 
Some of the statements herein given 
were told me by my father, Wesley 
Shropshire, Sr., and my uncle, Mon- 
roe Shropshire, both of whom came to 
Rome in 1835. Other items are from 
my own observations, for I have been 
in" touch with this city for 71 years. 

"GRANDMA GEORGY" RECALLS 
STAR BOARDERS. — "Thank you 
very much. Judge Branham, for a 
copy of 'Sketches and Reminiscences 
of the Rome Bar,' compiled by your- 
self. After reading it with the aid of 
a reading-glass a reminiscent mood 
laid a canny hand on me and I began 
to count the faces of some of these 
lawyers who sat at my table three 
times a day when I kept boarders on 
Fifth Avenue where the courthouse 
now stands. Col. W. H. Dabney was 
an inmate in my home for several 
years. He was a quiet, unassuming, 
pleasant gentleman. When court was 
in session he ate sparingly — sometimes 
only a bit of bread and a glass of 
milk. He often asked me where to 
find certain passages of Scripture, 
saying he had need for them. 

"Capt. C. N. Featherston and Cols. 
E. N. Broyles and Dan'l. R. Mitchell 
were regular table boarders, Judge A. 
R. Wright a dinner guest when court 
was in session. All of these gentle- 



268 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



269 



men were very courteous to me and 
my housekeeper, Miss McCauley. Thir- 
ty-two young men sat at my table reg- 
ularly — business men and clerks. All 
have passed the Great Divide and 'left 
me counting on this spot the faces that 
are gone.' 

"In my young days I was often a 
guest in the house of Judge Wright. 
He was fond of music, and would lie 
on a sofa while I would play and sing 
for him. Sometimes tears would creep 
through his closed lids, especially when 
I sang 'Bonnie Doon' — sometimes he 
walked to and fro in the parlor and 
called for his favorite songs. 

"The curtain of years now veils my 
eyes, and the drum beats of time 
have sadly dulled my hearing, but 
memory lingers and I see again many 
beautiful pictures, and many sad 
scenes that have come into my stren- 
uous life of three score and eighteen 
years. 

"God is my Father and He leads me 
on daily nearer to the City that hath 
foundation. 

"Very truly, 
"NAOMI P. BALE." 

—Tribune-Herald, June 22, 1921. 

* * * 

LOVE FOR OLD SLAVES.— The 
tender bond of sentiment existing be- 
tween master and slave in the ante-bel- 
lum days is an old story, and it has 
plenty of verification in fact. While 
it is quite true that there were oc- 
casional instances of cruelty and op- 
pression, as a rule master and mistress 
treated the slaves with great consider- 
ation. Few people would want slav- 
ery re-established, yet it is interesting 
to take note of instances in which 
slaves were treated almost like mem- 
bers of the family by the "white folks." 

When the war came, many slaves 
begged to accompany their masters as 
bodyguards, and were allowed to go. 
These faithful souls will never be for- 
gotten by the people of the South. 

H. W. Johnstone, of Curryville, Gor- 
don County, relates how "Aunt Mam- 
my Anne," his family's old slave, died 
at Rome in 1855, and was buried be- 
side the Johnstone family vault in 
North Rome. 

Philip Harper, a 10-year-old boy, 
was sold Aug. 3, 1854, with three other 
darkies from John Hai'kins to Alex- 
ander Thornton Harper, of Cave 
Spring, for $2,275 cash. Quite an 
attachment grew up between master 
and slave, which found its highest ex- 
pression when Mr. Harper was forced 



to sell Philip in 1863 at the court 
house in Atlanta. The master attend- 
ed the sale and promised to buy him 
back at the first opportunity. Both 
wept as the auctioneer sold the boy, 
then 19. 

In 1908, when Philip Harper was 
64 years old, he wrote Mrs. Harper 
from Marietta as follows : 

"Dear Madame: This missive leaves 
me as well as I will ever be again in 
this life. I fear I would have been 
up there before now, but my old wom- 
an keeps so very poorly until I fear 
to leave her. How are you and all 
the children? Well, I hope. My dear- 
est associaton as a boy began in and 
around old Cave Spring. It has been 
so long since I have been there that 
I believe I would not know the place, 
but if the good Lord will spare me a 
few days longer, I will in real life 
review my old, old home once more in 
this life. All the people that I once 
knew are gone, gone; and I have only 
a few days — then I shall join them in 
Heaven. I have thought a thousand 
times about the last meeting Mr. 
Alexander and myself had was in At- 
lanta in 1863 at the court house after 
the sale was inade. Then it was I 
did my best at crying. He cried, too, 
but he promise to buy me back. 

"I know you will excuse the bold- 
ness I take in writing you. When I 
got sick, you was my doctor; cared 
for me in sickness. You remember 
how you cared for me when I got my 
finger broke? 

"WM. PHILIP HARPER." 

Mrs. Harper immediately sent the 
old darkey enough money to come to 
Cave Spring, which he did, and both 
of them cried as they reviewed the 
days that will return no more. As a 
member of the Harper family express- 
ed it, Philip's appearance was like the 
return of a long-lost son. 
* * * 

WES' ROUNSAVILLE'S BOY- 
HOOD. — The following extracts are 
from the autobiography of Jno. Wesley 
Rounsaville, who died at Rome Oct. 4, 
1910: 

"When my father, David Rounsa- 
ville, died, I was in my eleventh year; 
Sister Josephine was six. Brother 
'Dolph' five; these, with our mother, 
constituted the family. The question 
that faced us was how we were to 
get a support. Father had been sick 
a long time and the small amount of 
money he had accumulated with a view 
of entering the mercantile business 



270 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



again was soon spent and we were 
practically without means. Fortunate- 
ly, we had a home at Sixth Avenue 
and East First Street, and this was 
a great help because we didn't have 
to pay rent. 

"My first work was with a Mr. Bay- 
less, who kept a confectionery store in 
part of the old Exchange Hotel. I 
think my salary was $5 per month. 
Father left us a team which we hired 
out and from which we collected the 
hire every night, and this with my 
pay was our only means of support. 
Our mother was a very industrious 
and economical manager. 

"About this time a small affair 
probably changed the current of my 
life. Mr. Bayless told me one hot 
day to sweep out the store. I did 
so to my own satisfaction, but not to 
his; therefore, he ordered me to sweep 
it again. I demurred and he punch- 
ed me with the brushing part o^ the 
broom. I deliberately walked into the 
street and procured a good-sized rock 
and went into the store and threw it 
at him with all my might. He ran 
out the back door and I got my little 
red calico coat and left, and never 
went back again. 

"Mr. Bayless was a northern man. 
He continued to do a prosperous bus- 
iness, and finally went into groceries 
and wholesale liquors. He kept large 
quantities of liquor in barrels and cof- 
fee in sacks, and had them piled up 
in tiers against the walls of his store. 
One morning it was announced in the 
Rome Southerner that Mr. Bayless had 
sold his large business to Gen. Geo. 
S. Black and associates. It seems Mr. 
Bayless bantered Gen. Black into a 
trade, and sold on an inventory just 
taken by himself. A check for the 
money was given by Gen. Black (most 
likely on the Bank of the Empire 
State), and Mr. Bayless left imme- 
diately for the east. A few days later 
Gen. Black showed a customer a sam- 
ple of the fine whiskey, but the whis- 
key turned out to be water, and the 
bags of coffee were in reality corn or 
peas put up so as to deceive. The 
whole stock was that way, more or 
less. Gen. Black made a strong ef- 
fort to locate Mr. Bayless, but did not 
succeed. 

"About 44 years after this happen- 
ed, I was in New York and getting 
ready to come home. I stepped into a 
railroad ticket booth in the hotel and 
saw a handsome, white-haii-ed gentle- 
man standing behind the desk. I ask- 
ed the man what was the price of tick- 
ets to the South, and he asked me 



where I wanted to go. I told him 
Rome, Ga., and he inquired if I lived 
there. I replied in the affirmative, 
and he said, 'Do you know Col. Printup 
in Rome?' 

" 'I did know him, but he is dead,' 
I replied. 

"I inquired as to where he had 
known Col. Printup and he said in 
Rome, more than 40 years before. He 
stated in answer to my query that his 
name was Bayless, adding that he had 
just returned from Australia, where he 
had gone from Rome, and had never 
returned in the meantime to this coun- 
try. 

" 'Mr. Bayless, do you remember 
Gen. Black?' I asked. He hesitated 
a moment, looked me straight in the 
eyes, and then dropped his head. I 
said, 'I know you well. I clerked for 
you when you first came to Rome and 
opened your confectionery.' 'No,' he 
answered, 'you are mistaken; I was in 
the cotton business.' 

"I informed him that I was not 
leaving New York until the next day 
and would call back to see him. I 
called several times, but he was not 
there. 

"After leaving the confectionery 
shop, I went to work for Mr. O. A. 
Myers, a most excellent gentleman and 
editor and proprietor of the Rome 
Southerner. He took me in his office 
at $5 a month and my clothing. How 
well do I remember the first thing he 
gave me — a pair of fine gray cash- 
mere trousers. I thought they were 
the prettiest things I had ever seen 
and it seemed they never wore out. 
Mr. Myers appreciated my efforts so 
much in my thirteenth year that he 
sent me out to travel for the paper. 
I remember one night at Cave Spring, 
where I spent the day collecting sub- 
scriptions until I had a considerable 
sum of money. I was afraid to go to 
the hotel, lest I might be robbed or 
miss the stage coach, which was due 
to leave for Rome at midnight, so after 
dark I slipped into the coach, croucher^ 
in a corner and waited until the driver 
climbed onto his box and made off. 

"Once I went to Summerville, and 
saw two men arguing politics in the 
town square. Buchanan was running 
for president. One man seemed to 
have the advantage of the other, and 
I championed the weaker side, asking 
the other man a question he couldn't 
answer. The crowd whooped and yell- 
ed, and the man turned on me and 
said, 'Look here, my little fellow, you 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



271 



ought to be at home with your 
mammy!' That year I made $450. 

"Mother soon decided that I must go 
to school on what Little Dolph and I 
had made, so I went two terms to 
Prof. Peter M. Sheibley, one of the 
finest teachers Rome ever had. In 
1858 we removed to the farm of Uncle 
Jimmie Meredith in Broomtown Val- 
ley, Cherokee County, Ala., and farm- 
ed there until the war broke out. The 
people were very kind to us, although 
the young farmers laughed at us be- 
cause we plowed in gloves and large 
straw hats, and could not lay off 
straight rows. I often amused a crowd 
telling them of schemes I had to make 
farming easier, like boring a hole in 
the end of the plow foot, and putting 
up an umbrella to plow under. 

"I also said a man ought to be able 
to ride while he plowed, and I per- 
fected a three-foot plow that would 
list land with two furrows, and save 
the labor of two men and one horse. 
For irons I used hickory withes and 
attached them to the front wheels of 
a tv/o-horse wagon and pulled the con- 
traption with two oxen, Mike and 
Bright. I demonstrated that this plow 
would work, but lack of means and 
the taunt from the Alabama farmers 
that it was a lazy, mean method, 
caused me to give it up. Years later 
I saw men patent this idea and de- 
velop it into some of our labor-sav- 
ing plows of today, and I have always 
thought my plow deserved the priority. 

"Our life in the country was not 
only a pleasant and happy one, but 
I verily believe it paved the way 
for our future success in business. 
It taught us to work and brought us 
a knowledge of the people from whom 
in after years we received our great- 
est help in building and maintainihg 
our wholesale grocery and cotton bus- 
iness. 

"We learned nature and the sea- 
sons and the peculiarities of agricul- 
tural products of the section. We 
were taught the value of money, how 
hard it was to make, and at the char- 
acter-forming time, instead of carous- 
ing en the streets of a city until mid- 
night, we went to sleep soon after 
supper and slept the sleep of the in- 
nocent and the just. In later years 
we opened our store at daylight and 
closed it at midnight." 
* * * 

COST OF A COLLEGE EDUCA- 
TION. — The following letter was sent 
recently by a Floyd County man to his 
son at college: "I write to send you 



two pairs of old breeches, that you 
may have a new coat made of them; 
also some new socks, which your 
mother has just knit by cutting down 
some of mine. Your mother sends you 
$10 without my knowledge, and for 
fear you might not spend it wisely, I 
have kept back half, and send you only 
five. We are all well, except that 
your sister has got the measles, which 
may spread among the other girls. I 
hope you will do honor to my teach- 
ings. If you do not, you are an ass, 
and your mother and myself are your 
affectionate parents." — Rome Tri- 
Weekly Courier, Jan. 21, 1860. 

* * •-!: 

ROBT. BATTEY'S TROUBLES 
AT SCHOOL.— At 11 years of age 
and under date of May 12, 1839, Robert 
Battey wrote as follows to his mother 
in Augusta from Phillips-Andover 
Academy, Andover, Mass. His brother 
George, 13, was there with him at the 
time : 

"My dear Mother: We received a 
bundle from you not long since con- 
taining a letter, 4 dollars, some cot- 
ton seed, a pocket handkerchief, 2 
flags, 2 knives, 2 books, the violet and 
Juvenile Forget-me-not which I 
thought was very good and interest- 
ing. Brother goes to writing school 
to Mr. Badger and is improving very 
fast. As soon as he has done his 
coarse of lessons he will write you a 
letter so that you can see how much 
he has improved. Chas. Hall is here 
at present. We have got a new boarder, 
his name is Daniel E. Safford. Brother 
has five rabbits and one of them has 
or is a going to have some young ones. 
I have been reading Rolo Learning to 
Read and Rolo's Vacasion. I like them 
very much indeed. Last Tuesday we 
had a company of 100 Latin and Eng- 
lish students. They marched up and 
down town and then they had a re- 
ces of about 15 minutes. They had 
water and molasses and water. After 
that they marched around again; 
their dress was simply their Sunday 
best clothes, a cane and a role of paste- 
board with a blue ribbon tied around 
it. I have found a very great fait 
in brother, that is, telling things 
arround town that I never told him, 
and when he gets caught in telling 
a lie he says that I told him some- 
thing like it. His object in doing this 
is to make folks think better of him 
and worse of me. Sometimes he is 
kind and affectionate. I believe you 
wrote me to tell Mrs. Green when he 
imposes uppon me, but I do not like 
to tell her but I do not do anything to 



272 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



him but stand and bare it. Tiie other 
day I went down to Mr. Abbott's and 
bought some sugar to put in some 
chocolate as I and D. E. Safford used 
to go over in a field and build up a 
fire in an old tea kettle for a stove 
and had an old coffee pot which we 
found out there which we made our 
chocolate in. However one day I had 
the sugar in my pocket and Mrs. Green 
took it out and said it was hers. I 
told her it was not for I bought it 
down to Mr. Abbott's and if she was 
a mind to she might ask him but after 
that she got pretty cool about it. I 
have got a book called My Brother's 
Letters which I think is a very good 
book. Give my love to father, Aunt 
Mary Anna and all other inquiring 
friends and my best love for your- 
self. I hope you will write me soon. 
"Your affectionate son, 

"ROBERT." 

Shortly after the death of his father, 
Cephas Battey, from yellow fever, 
Robert wrote his mother from Ando- 
ver (under date of Dec. 8, 1839) : 

"My dear Mother: I received a let- 
ter from Aunt Susan last Thursday 
morning. Wednesday before last there 
was a great fire up town. Wednes- 
day before last the book bindery burnt 
it belonged to Mr. Wm. Waters there 
has been a subscription for him. 
Thanks be unto the Lord it was not 
our house for I was sick. I had eaten 
something that did not agree with me. 
Mr. Green had his hog killed last Wed- 
nesday. Some body set fire to our 
chicken house last Thursday. George 
lost 7 rabbits. My little pigeon is do- 
ing very well. Daniel came last Fri- 
day. Mrs. Green's flowers are doing 
very well. Tell me is cousin Miller 
alive. Tell aunt creasy I am well. 
Mrs. Blanchard, Rhoda & I all send 
their love. 

"Your son, 

"ROBERT." 

George added a postscript, saying: 
"You will see by Robby's letter that 
we have had a fire. I have been play- 
ing chess with Robby and he can play 
pretty well for the time he has been 

learning." 

* * * 

FRANK L. STANTON'S SANC- 
TUM. — The casual visitor to Frank 
L Stanton's sanctum in the Atlanta 
Constitution building is deeply and 
lastingly impressed with the physical 
aspects of the place; a roll-top desk 
over in a corner; a swivel chair for 
the poet which he seldoms "swivels;" 



a cane-bottom chair for a friend; on 
the dark, smoky, spider-webbed walls 
a Lewis Gregg pen sketch of Joel 
Chandler Harris ("Uncle Remus") 
and cartoons by Opper and Fox past- 
ed up without frames; a sea of old 
newspaper exchanges, the accumula- 
tion of months, stacked so high on 
both sides of the desk as to obscure 
the pigeon holes, which are crammed 
with letters, papers and poems; the 
top of the desk burdened with daily 
and weekly journals from all over the 
country, and surmounting them a tan- 
gled heap of spider nests and ancient 
dust; on the floor a discarded shower 
of his literary sheaves; a single elec- 
trip drop globe and a clouded window 
to admit a little more light; a rat's 
nest in nearly every drawer of the 
desk. 

Stanton is always absorbed in plots 
for poems and paragraphs; he moves 
solitarily between office and home; 
year in and year out he grinds his 
daily grist, a column known as "Just 
From Georgia," and his political 
quips and a serious editorial daily; he 
is one of the most prolific writers in 
the United States; he is friendly and 
reminiscent, but he seldom invites any- 
body to his den, and when they come 
they do not consume much of his time. 
His office is in a rather remote part 
of the building; not so remote as it is 
"unsuspected" and undiscovered, for 
the human stream that flows out of 
the elevator and the staii'way does not 
pass his door. 

In a sense, Stanton is comparable 
to Sir Walter Scott, who used to 
throw his manuscript over his shoul- 
der, to be picked up later by some- 
body and put into print. He exudes 
so much poetry that it sometimes gets 
out of his reach in the junk that sur- 
rounds him, and does not appear for 
days, weeks or months afterward. In 
a sense, he is comparable to Horace 
Greeley, who wrote such a miserable 
hand that but one compositor on the 
New York Tribune could read it. 
Stanton can write plainly and pleas- 
ingly when he takes the time. How- 
ever, he usually leaves much to the 
imagination, and unless the printer 
reads it who is accustomed to his style, 
there is trouble in the plant. 

A story is told of Stanton which 
will illustrate his accustomed environ- 
ment : 

John Temple Graves, editor of the 
Tribune of Rome, had hired a new of- 
fice boy, to whom these instructions 
were given: 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



273 




a" 

^ 2- • 
« • Si 






274 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



"One of your duties, son, will be to 
carry the copy to the composing room. 
Whenever I write anything, you come 
in here and get it, and whenever Mr. 
Stanton writes anything, go in there 
and take it back. I think Mr. Stan- 
ton has some now." 

The boy returned in a minute to Col. 
Graves' desk and said: 

"I couldn't make him answer." 

"What's that?" 

"He just kept on working when I 
asked him if he had wrote anything." 

"Oh!" exclaimed Col. Graves with a 
twinkle in his eye. "Let's see." 

They went to the doorway and peek- 
ed in. There sat Stanton with his 
elbows aspread, his head low and his 
right hand fighting furiously with a 
pencil. He had dug so deeply into a 
mountain of papers that no part of 
him was discernible below his should- 
ers. He would make a great effort 
and out would come a sheet of long 
hand, suggestive of a doodle-bug play- 
ing in a sand hill or a mole starting 
a direct route to China. 

"I forgot to tell you the way you 
should approach Mr. Stanton. The boy 
that had your job understood it. You 
notice the rope on the hook here at 



r 



^,X 




FRANK LEBBY STANTON, Georgia's lyric 
poet, who served as night editor of The 
Tribune of Rome under Jno. Temple Graves. 



the door is attached to the chandelier 
in the middle of the room. The easiest 
and quietest way to get in there is to 
grab the rope and swing from the 
door to the table beside his desk, 
where you will be able to get the copy. 
Then you swing back. The idea is not 
to disturb his muse. Let's see how 
well you can do it.' 

"Colonel Graves, I ain't lost nothin' 
in there." 

"Why, what's the matter?" 
"A man from Mt. Alto just come 
out, sayin' he wanted a write-up, but 
saw Mr. Stanton was busy, so just 
left his box on the table and said he 
v/ould be back. No, sir, I ain't goin' 
in there!" 

"What sort of write-up did he 
want?" 

"He said he had broke the record at 
Mt. Alto for ketchin' the biggest rat- 
tlesnake!" 

Mr. Stanton was the owner of a 
small dog which had the distinction 
of having been named after a famous 
expression. Sam Jones used to come 
to Rome and exclaim at his great 
meetings, "My, my, man — can not you 
see the error of your ways?" So the 
dog was named "My-my." 

"My-my" was a product of the flood 
of 1886. He has been born in the 
Fourth Ward in February of that 
year; when the high water came, he 
swam into Rome proper for the first 
time, and anchored on Broad Street. 
It was cold and the puppy took refuge 
in a hallway, where he was found and 
adopted by Col. Graves, who carried 
him home to 402 First Avenue. Here 
the little dog forgot his late experi- 
ences, and his humility at the same 
time. He bit Dr. Henry Battey sav- 
agely on the ankle, so that ever after 
the doctor bowed himself out of the 
house backwards. 

The dog soon became a pet at The 
Tribune office, and since Stanton fed 
him and kept him as a "paperweight" 
on his desk, he soon forsook his orig- 
inal benefactor. Presently Col. Graves' 
first wife died and they buried her 
over on Myrtle Hill. Bishop Warren 
A. Candler came to Rome, called on 
Col. Graves and proposed that they go 
to the cemetery for a silent word of 
prayer. As they approached the tomb, 
they saw Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, ac- 
companied by "My-my." 

"Even my dog seems to have de- 
serted me!" exclaimed Col. Graves dis- 
consolately. "My-my, you must choose 
this day whom you will serve." So 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



275 



saying, Col. Graves walked off, and 
Bishop Candler followed. "My-my" 
hesitated a moment, swallowed hard, 
smacked his lips meekly and tucking 
his tail between his legs, followed the 
Stantons. Col. Graves declared philo- 
sophically, "Thus it is with all earthly 
friends!" 

Stanton soon moved to Atlanta at 
the instance of Wm. A. Hemphill and 
brought "My-my" along, and the dog 
became a prime favorite around his 
sanctum. When "My-my" died at the 
age when all good dogs are supposed 
to die. The Constitution printed his 
picture and recorded that many of his 
friends among the children followed 
him sorrowfully to a decent burial 
place, and concluded: "My-my was in 
many respects a remarkable dog, but 
particularly so because he was the 
only canine we ever heard of who was 
knock-kneed in front and bow-legged 
in the rear." 

* :;: * 

FRANK L. STANTON TO HIS 
MOTHER.*— The beloved Georgia 
poet once penned this beautiful son- 
net: 

Thou shalt have grave where glory is 
forgot, 
Thy star all luminous in the world's 
last night, 
Thy children's arms shall be thy neck- 
lace bright, 
And all love's roses clamber to thy 
cot; 
And if a storm one steadfast star shall 
blot 
From thy clear Heaven, God's an- 
gels shall re-light 
The lamps for thee and make the dark- 
ness write — 
The lilies of His love shall be thy 
lot! 
He shall give all His angels charge 
of thee. 
Thy coming and thy going shall be 
known, 
Their steps shall shine before thee 
radiantly. 
Lest thou shouldst dash thy foot 
against a stone; 
The cross still stands; who will that 
love condemn 
Whose mother lips kissed Christ at 

Bethlehem? 

* * * 

FROM A SHERMAN SCOUT.— 
Thos. D. Collins, of Middlctown, N. Y.. 
courier, guide and scout of the 20th 

*From The Mothers of Some Famous Geor- 
gians. 

**SiKnal sent by Gen. Wm. Vandever, who 
for a time occupied the post at Rome. 



corps, Army of the Cumberland (U. 
S.), writes: 

"I was at Rome on the night of Oct. 
3, 1864, having been sent with orders 
to Brig. Gen. Jno. M. Corse to move 
his command at once to Allatoona Pass 
and reinforce the post there, where 
Sherman had stored 1,000,000 rations. 
We reached Allatoona on the after- 
noon of the 4th; John B. Hood, in com- 
mand of the Rebel forces, had got in 
our rear, and on the morning of the 
5th, Gen. S. G. French, in command 
of a division of Rebels, sent us by flag 
of truce information that if we would 
surrender, we would be treated well, 
but if he was forced to attack, every 
one of us would be massacred. To this, 
Corse replied after consulting the 
small force at hand, 'Come and take 
us if you can!' 

"On they came, and I assure you 
French paid dearly for his assault, 
and tov/ard night he began withdraw- 
ing his forces, or what was left of 
them. During the battle, a signal was 
seen flying from the top of Kennesaw 
Mountain,** telling us to hold out, 
that help was coming to us. Corse 
answered, 'I am minus a cheek bone 
and part of an ear, but am able to 
whip all hell yet!' Corse had been 
hit late in the afternoon by a rifle ball 
and knocked senseless. We thought 
him killed, but he soon rallied. We 
suffered severely for the number en- 
gaged. My horse was killed in the 
fracas. The gun I used that terrible 
day of slaughter stands this moment in 
my bedroom, and money couldn't buy 
it. It is an 8-shot Spencer repeating 
rifle. 

"French's troops were heroes, every 
one. They were in the open and we 
were behind strong breastworks. They 
had no chance to dislodge us. French 
had cut our wires. Americans against 
Americans, and I am glad to hope that 
North and South are now one united 
country." 

* * * 

THE BARTOWS IN FLOYD 
COUNTY. — Comparatively few people 
know that the Bartow family, of Sa- 
vannah, once maintained quite an es- 
tablishment at Gave Spring. It is 
likely that they removed to Floyd 
County prior to 1850, and that they 
lived there part of the time for five 
years or moi-e. Mrs. Bartow moved 
back to Cave Spring after the death of 
her husband and her son. The head of 
the house was Dr. Theodosius Bartow, 
who was born at Savannah Nov. 2, 



276 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



1792, and married Frances Lloyd Feb. 
26, 1812. 

Says The Mothers of Some Famous 
Georgians : 

"After Francis S. Bartow's sad end, 
Mrs. Bartow returned to her home in 
Floyd, now endeared to her by many 
sacred memories, which threw a halo 
around her pathway, for it lay in 
shadows the rest of her days since the 
light of her life, her counsellor and 
friend, would no more go in and out 
with words of peace. Her 60th birth- 
day was Nov. 1, 1852, and her son 
wrote : 

" 'I now take advantage of the clos- 
ino- hours of this day which completes 
your 60th year. It has been one of 
those bland, bright days, more like 
spring than autumn, neither warm nor 
cold, and I have thought of the green 
hills of Floyd and wished myself there, 
that I might walk with you through 
the quaint garden and see the sun, as 
he sets behind the mountains, light up 
the sky with golden radiance. How 
beautiful does nature present to the 
mind the evening of a well-spent life; 
how few are the dark hours between 
the mellow twilight, so full of peace 
and rest and the glorious reappear- 
ance of the rosy beams of morning. 

" 'For you I cannot wish those many 
years on earth which is the customary 
greeting. I know enough of life's 
meridian, of its fleeting joy and con- 
stant caies to feel that the happiest 
home is where the soul is freed. But 
for me my prayer would be that you 
who first held me up to the light of 
day should close my eyes. A selfish 
prayer, at least, that I may so live 
that, like you, some golden light may 
ba reflected in my evening days! 

"'God's will be done! May He guide 
you and me and all of us! My heart 
is with you always!'" 

For quite a while Mrs. Bartow's 
daughter, Theodosia (Mrs. Edward E. 
Ford) , was the principal of a girls' 
school at Cave Spring. This place be- 
came known as "Woodstock," and it 
was conducted by Mrs. Ford before and 
after the war; it was once owned by 
the Nobles, of Rome. The Bartows 
were the principal donors of the Epis- 
copal church at Cave Spring, and sev- 
eral of the old-time residents remem- 
ber them with deep affection. Mrs. 
Bartow died at about 80 years of age. 
She was a kindly and true Southern 
gentlewoman, typical of a race that is 
no more. 



GEN. NEAL DOW PRISONER OF 
A ROMAN. — It is not commonly known 
that Neal Dow, once Mayor of Port- 
land, Me., and a general in command 
of colored soldiers durinp- the Civil 
War, was taken to Libby Prison, Rich- 
mond, Va., probably in 1863, by Leon- 
idas Timoleon ("Coon") Mitchell, 
brother of Mrs. Hiram Hill, of Rome. 
"Little Neal" Dow, as he was known, 
had carried his negro troops against 
the Confederate works at Port Hudson, 
Mississippi River, La., May 28, 1863, 
had lost 500 in killed and wounded 
from his brigade, and himJself had 
been wounded twice. Subsequently he 
was captured and put in prison at 
Mobile. Feeling was so intense against 
him there on account of the fact that 
he had led colored troopers that it was 
deemed best to remove him north. A 
Roman, "Coon" Mitchell, member of 
the Rome Light Guards of the Eighth 
Georgia Infantry, was selected to take 
him. 

The route, for sake of safety, was 
through New Orleans. Gen Dow, dress- 
ed as a private, was taken there, and 
lodged over night at a hotel. Some- 
how the secret got abroad and a crowd 
of angry people gathered at the hotel, 
demanding the body of the prisoner. 
The proprietor sent word to the 
room of captive and escort to flee. 
Mitchell had been guarding his charge 
and had had little sleep; had not re- 
moved his clothing; but in spite of his 
fatigue he smuggled Gen. Dow out of 
a rear passageway and caught a train 
at a way station and landed him at 
Richmond. Gen. Dow was later ex- 
changed for Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, neph- 
ew of Robt. E. Lee. 

Gen. Dow got his commission as 
brigadier from President Lincoln and 
was regarded as a capital prize by 
the Confederate hosts. He was a great 
temperance leader and as prohibition 
candidate for president in 1880 he re- 
ceived 10,000 popular votes. He died 
at Portland Oct. 2, 1897, at the ripe 
old age of 93. 

"Coon" Mitchell himself, it will be 
remembered, was imprisoned shortly 
after the war by Capt. Chas. A. de la 
Mesa for his participation in a Con- 
federate uniform in the tableau "The 
Officer's Funeral" at Rome. Capt. de la 
Mesa was in charge of the Freedmen's 
Bureau at that time, and objected to 
the presentation of the tableau as an 
insult to the United States flag. 

Mitchell was born in March, 1839, 
hence was 24 when he took "Little 
Neal" in tow. He died a good many 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



277 



years ago and was buried in the Sol- 
diers' Section of Oakland Cemetery, 
Atlanta. 

* * * 

"GINRUL" VANDEVER AND 
"THE WIDOW LUMPKIN."— When 
Maj. William Vandever, of Sherman's 
Army, took charge of Rome in 1864, 
one of the early callers at his head- 
quarters (whether by official invita- 
tion or otherwise it is not known) 
was the handsome widow of Judge 
John H. Lumpkin, congressman, who 
had died four years before. A state- 
ly ex-congressman from Iowa and 
a splendid gentleman, General Van- 
dever had been cited for bravery 
on many a battlefield, but he was 
a married man and there was undoubt- 
edly no justification for the gossip 
which wagging tongues soon spread 
concerning his "affair" with Mrs. 
Lumpkin, who, by the way, had been 
Miss Mary Jane Crutchfield, daughter 
of Col. Thos. Crutchfield, of Chatta- 
nooga. Mrs. Lumpkin lived on Eighth 
Avenue in Rome's finest home, five 
blocks from the General's headquar- 
ters. 

However, the tongues did wag, and 
on numerous occasions connected the 
names of the two in a way that must 
have been embarrassing to both, but 
furnished them considerable amuse- 
ment at the same time. 

Enter a mischievous young Rome 

woman determined to protest in her 
own way at the Yankee occupation, as 

General Vendever's carriage passed 
by. 

"Ginrul, Ginrul, may I stop you a 
moment?" 

"Hold up there, Bob; let's see what 
the lady wants. What can I do for 
you, ma'am?" 

"Ginrul, would you be kind enough 
to lend me a planner?" 

"Madam, I'm sorry, but I've got no 
piano." 

"Why, Ginrul, I hearn ye had seven 
at the Widow Lumpkin's!" 

Mrs. Thos. Hawkins, formerly the 
beautiful and cultured Miss Pauline 
Bryant, whose father was prosperous 
in a comfortable estate on the Cave 
Spring road, got a pass through the 
lines and appeared at General Vende- 
ver's headquarters ("Bill Arp's" old 
home on Fourth Avenue) and asked 
for protection from maraudin<T bands 
of soldiers. Her husband was away 
with the "Rebels" and she was practi- 
cally alone in a great big house. 
General Vandever courteously offered 



her a guard, to which she replied feel- 
ingly: 

"Oh, General, I can not express my 
gratitude! I can only hope that be- 
fore you die you will succeed in win- 
ning the heart of the Widow Lump- 
kin!" 

Mrs. Hawkins went through trials 
second to none during the war. After 
the evacuation of Rome Capt. Jack 
Colquitt maintained a band of bush- 
whackers around Rome, Cave Spring 
and Cedartown who had formerly been 
members of a Texas unit opposing 
Sherman's attack on Rome. This band 
traveled under the name of Colquitt's 
Independent Scouts. A foraging party 
of Union soldiers having gone out in 
wagons toward the present site of 
Lindale the Scouts ambushed it in 
front of the Bryant-Hawkins home, 
killed several men and stampeded the 
horses. In retaliation Gen. Jno. M. 
Corse, of Pennsylvania, the Northern 
commander, claiming Mrs. Hawkins' 
husband and son had led the attack- 
ing party, caused the home to be burn- 
ed to the ground. It was stated by 
neighbors that Mrs. Hawkins had 
time to save only the family Bible; 
also that a soldier invited her to 
rescue the portraits of her ancestors, 
to which she replied contemptuously, 
"I would not lower myself to accept 
such an invitation! I will stand here 
and watch it all burn together! The 
piano and the funiture and the grand- 
father clock are equally sacred to 



me 



)" 



Mrs. Hawkins was then arrested 

and sent to share the roof and the 

scanty wardrobe of sympathetic 

friends. 

* * * 

STORY OF THE WHITE PA- 
POOSE.— Mrs. Pattie Wright Stone, 
of Farill, Ala., contributes the fol- 
lowing story of Alexander Thornton 
Harper, of Cave Spring, who married 
Miss Elizabeth Whatley Sparks, the 
girlhood sweetheart of Gen. John B. 
Gordon : 

"On Mar. 28, 1832, there was born 
in Vann's Valley, near the beautiful 
Little Cedar Creek, to Thornton Har- 
per and his wife, Frances Long Rich- 
ardson, a baby boy named Alexander 
Thornton. Ori the night of the third 
day of the child's birth there came a 
knocking at the door of the Harper log 
cabin. At that time the valley swarmed 
with Red Men, and well did the in- 
mates of the forest home know when- 
ever a red knuckle rapped. 

" 'Oh, dear, dear, it's the Indians,' 



278 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Mrs. Harper whispered, and with one 
hand she drew her baby nearer her 
breast, and with the other gathered 
up little Elizabeth, their only other 
child. 

"'Don't be alarmed, "Chick," reas- 
sured the husband. 'There is no harm 
in them.' 

"Mr. Harper opened the door and in 
filed several Cherokees, the leader of 
whom said with a grunt and in gut- 
tural tones, 'Indians want to see white 
papoose.' 

"It was the first white child born 
in Floyd County. 

"'Give white papoose to Indian; In- 
dian hold him in his arms.' 

"Mr. Harper, confident of the In- 
dian's good intentions, placed his 
young son in the Red Man's arms, and 
then each Indian insisted on holding 
the baby in turn, and on scrutinizing 
the little fellow to determine how the 
Great Spirit had made him so pale 
instead of red. When the baby told 
them in his own peculiar way that he 
wanted to go back to his mother, the 
Indians knew it was not the sound of 
the brown papoose. They went away 
reverently and were swallowed up in 
the gloom of the nearby forests. 




THE HOTEL ARMSTRONG in fire of Mar. 
8, 1921. Note burning cupola and fireman 
at top of ladder. 



"Mr. Harper was a pioneer of the 
highest type, and his savage neigh- 
bors admired his humanizing quali- 
ties. On one occasion an Indian boy 
was sentenced to receive 40 lashes for 
horse theft, and he pleaded that Mr. 
Harper be allowed to apply the pun- 
ishment. 

"The valley was full of game and 
the Indian boys hunted much on their 
fleet footed ponies. Often they would 
expend a quiver of arrows at wild 
turkeys and come home laden with the 
great black birds; they also killed 
deer and exchanged the venison for 
beads and other things the settlers had 
to offer. 

"Mr. Harper built the first house of 
size in that neighborhood. It was a 
two-story affair and was known as 
the White House. Practically all the 
other establishments were log cabins, 
with a room on each end and a pas- 
sageway through the middle, or a sin- 
gle room without hall. He made his 
plantation blossom with slave labor 
brought from South Georgia. Pres- 
ently there were five white papooses 
instead of two, and when Alexander 
and Elizabeth had grown up some- 
what they used to play with the In- 
dian boys and girls. The boys played 
a game with thick stones shaped like 
wheels. These would be rolled across 
an open space and shot at with ar- 
rows, and the side which scored the 
most hits was declared the winner. 

"Once when Alexander and Eliza- 
beth were playing with a lot of pearls 
and wampum in a bureau drawer at 
David Vann's home they heard some- 
body ask Mrs. Vann if she were not 
afraid the pale-faces would drive the 
Indian out. 'No,' she answered scorn- 
fully, 'right now I could sound the 
war whoop and a thousand braves 
would answer from forest and field.' 

"Little did she realize how soon the 
Indians were to march sullenly by 
for the west as Alexander and Eliza- 
beth hung on the fence and waved 
them farewell. We have their val- 
leys, rivers and hills and they are gone 
to the land of the setting sun; but so 
has the little white papoose gone to 
the happy hunting ground of Heaven. 
On Saturday, Jan. 2, 1905, Alexander 
Thornton Harper died at his Cave 
Spring home. 'A noble man has gone 
to that reward promised the faithful 
in Holy Writ. He fought the good 
fight, he kept the faith throughout the 
allotted years of life and now enjoys 
that bliss accorded the righteous who 
die in the Lord.' " 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



279 



A FAMOUS LEAP-YEAR PARTY. 
The Rome News of Dec. 29, 1920, car- 
ried the following story: 

Only two more days of Leap Year, — 
two more days and then a lapse of 
four long years! 

Look before you leap, young ladies 
of Rome, but leap while ye may! Next 
year, 1921, is not divisible by four to 
a nicety, nor is it divisible by twos 
or couples if the plaints of the hard 
time croakers are to be taken seri- 
ously. 

'Twas the same in the old days, and 
'tis the same now. The love song is 
sung in season and out. Fair maids 
sing it one year in four and handsome 
men the remaining three. 

Back in 1860, just before the muffled 
drums started beating for the Civil 
War, there resided in Rome a young 
bachelor by the name of George T. 
Stovall, member of one of Georgia's 
most prominent families, who in ad- 
dition to being a lawyer, wrote ed- 
itorials for The Rome Courier. 

He was one of the first to fall in 
the First Battle of Manassas in 1861. 
His senior editor on The Courier was 
M. Dwinell, who was also a bachelor, 
and who went away with Stovall as 
a second lieutenant in the Rome Light 
Guards. The Courier having no so- 
ciety editor Jan. 27, 1860, a leap-year 
party was handled in the editorial col- 
umn as follows by Bachelor Dwinell: 

"It was our pleasure on last Friday 
night to attend a most delightful party 
gotten up and entirely managed by the 
young ladies of Rome. Everything was 
arranged in excellent good taste and 
the young ladies played the gallants 
most admirably. They showed that 
they not only knew how to gracefully 
receive the attentions of the sterner 
sex but also that they can most charm- 
ingly bestow them. It was a sweet 
season of joyous hilarity, mirth and 
social amusements, — a genuine 'feast 
of reason and flow of soul.' There are 
many more young o-entlemen than 
young ladies in the place, and if the 
former did not all get special invita- 
tions, we see no i-eason why they 
should be growling about it. The ladies 
deserve great credit for the pleasing 
exhibition they made of their 'rights' 
for the coming year. May they all 
live long and happily and each be the 
pure center of sacred household joys." 

Having read this squib in the proof. 
Bachelor Stovall wrote the following: 

"Now, we wi.sh to say a word or two 
on the subject. All that sounds very 



nice and pretty coming from our ed- 
itorial senior, and although he insists 
we must not, we will say it, senior in 
years as well as editorial experience. 
He can afford to write that way about 
Leap Year parties when he gets a spe- 
cial invitation to go and has an escort. 
But there are two sides to every ques- 
tion and we are on the other side of 
this one, for we did not have a 'pecu- 
liar institution' in embryo to come and 
hand us a sweetly-scented billet doux 
written in the most delicate chirog- 
raphy, respectfully soliciting the pleas- 
ure of our company. 

"It is true we did get through the 
postoffice a sort of general invitation 
or permission or something of the kind 
which seemed to say 'If you are not 
afraid to come by yourself, you can 
come, or you can stay away, just as 
you please; if you come you can take 
care of yourself, and if you stay away, 
nobody will miss you anyhow.' 

"We have never done anything we 
know of that makes us deserve such 
treatment. We have never been caught 
disturbing the midnight slumber of 
anybody's hen roost or in mistaking 
another man's pocket for our own. We 
don't recall ever having said that wom- 
en were intellectually inferior to Be- 
con, or Newton or Bonaparte or J. 
Caesar or Pompey or Solomon or Brig- 
ham Young or Joe Brown, and we are 
satisfied we have never compared them 
to a huge fodder stack with a little 
piece of ribbon or turkey feather flut- 
tering from the top of it. However 
much we have thought all this, we 
have prudently kept it to ourselves; 
but we vow we won't do so any longer! 

"On the other hand, ever since we 
had heard there was to be a Leap 
Year party we had been studiously at- 
tentive and polite to every one of the 
'Dear (Bah!) creatures.' Whenever 
we have met them on the street we 
have invariably tipped our hat as 
gracefully as we knew how and smiled 
a little sweeter than we ever thought 
we could before, and ever can again; 
and in one or two instances we fol- 
lowed them several blocks hoping we 
might have an opportunity of picking 
up and returning to its owner a glove 
or a handkerchief she may have 'un- 
intentionally' dropped. 

"And yet, after all this, not one of 
them offered to escort us to the party; 
and we waited as patiently as Job un- 
til 9:30 that night. Then hope and 
our fire going out about the same 
time, we concluded to follow their ex- 
ample and stroll up to the city hall, 



280 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 




A TRULY COSMOPOLITAN ASSEMBLAGE. 

In this group are three physicians, a lawyer, a sheriff, a merchant, a mining engineer, a 
minister and a college professor. They are, left to right. Dr. Harry Huzza, Dr. Geo. R. West, 
of Chattanooga, and Lyle B. West; Edwin Watters, Rev. R. B. Headden, long pastor of the First 
Baptist church; Judge Robt. D. Harvey, Jake C. Moore, Robt. D. Van Dyke, of Atlanta; Prof. 
Jos. Lustrat, of Athens, and Dr. Geo. B. Glover, of Monticello, Fla. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



281 



only to see how many and who were 
there. We very foolishly went in by 
way of testing the matter a little fur- 
ther, and just as we expected, nobody 
came to ask us to promenade or insist 
on our singing Jeremiah, or to play 
the elephant or any other animal, or 
to ask us how we were enjoying the 
evening, or even to inform us of the 
state of the weather. 

"One young lady (bless her sweet 
soul) did offer to take our hat, and it 
was such an extraordinary act of at- 
tention that we would have given it 
to her if it had not cost us five dollars 
and was the last one we had. We 
were satisfied from what we saw that 
our senior's rhapsodies are all put on, 
for he was a most neglected wall flow- 
er. It may be called spite or spleen, 
but to us the whole affair was a per- 
fect humbug. 

"We would rather eat sour grapes 
any time than attend one for half an 
hour. The man that started the idea 
of giving up for twelve months the 
dearest privileges of his sex to a par- 
cel of unappreciative and capricious 
women deserved a coat of tar and 
feathers, and on Friday night we had 
the great satisfaction of burning the 
wretch in effigy and singing his re- 
quiem. 

"So far as any advancement of our 
own from a state of single blessedness 
to one of double wretchedness is con- 
cerned, when we record in our journal 
the events of 1860 we will simply leave 
a blank page. 

"We think Patrick Henry could have 
made the expression a gi'eat deal 
stronger if he had said 'Give me Lib- 
erty or give me Leap Year!' We only 
wish it were 1861; we would see how 
far another Leap Year would catch us 
in this fix again. As it is we have a 
notion to spend the balance of this 
one in Utah. There we reckon the 
ladies are not so independent. Leap 
Year indeed !" 

Bachelor Dwinell read the proof on 
the above sally by Bachelor Stovall 
and tacked on the following: 

"Our junior has fully justified the 
fable of the Fox and the Grapes. We 
pity him; but since he wrote the above 
we discover unmistakable signs of 
convalescence and assure the ladies 
that he will be in his right mind in 
a few days." 

* * * 

CARRYING ON.— The following 
items from The Rome Weekly Courier, 
Vol. 20, New Series No. 1, Thursday, 
Aug. 31, 1865, will give further in- 



formation on the status of Rome and 
Romans directly after the Civil War : 

To Former Patrons. — Greeting: On 
the 16th of May, 1864, the last number 
of this paper was published. The Fed- 
eral forces occupied Rome on the next 
day, and since then, up to about the 
first of last May, it was not deemed 
prudent for such a 'Reb" as we have 
been to engage in any permanent busi- 
ness in Rome. 

Some three months since we returned 
to the old office and found it in great 
confusion. What a pickle it was in, 
to be sure! Stands, tables, cases, 
presses, stones and stove pipe, impos- 
ing stone, cabinets, racks and every- 
thing else all turned topsy-turvy; and 
then the whole chawdered up and 
beaten to pieces with sledge hammers 
and crowbars until the office looked 
like the Demons from the Infernal Re- 
gions had been holding high carnival 
there. 

Of course we felt bad. It looked 
very much like "Othello's occupation 
was gone!" It would do no good to 
think hard things and still less to say 
wicked words; we at once resolved 
that as for us and our house, we would 
arise and go back to the old fold again. 
Well, the first thing to be done was 
to take the Amnesty Oath. Now, about 
tliat we felt a little like the keeper of 
a cheap boarding house did about eat- 
ing crow, after he had forced down 
a little for a wager. He said he could 
eat crow, but he "didn't hanker arter 
it!" We took the oath and have been 
feeling better ever since. It was prob- 
ably just the medicine needed. We 
would advise every citizen of the state 
to embrace the first opportunity to- 
take the Oath of Allegiance. It is as. 
little as could possibly be asked of us 
after four years of most determined 
and earnest effort to disrupt the Fed- 
eral Nation, and besides it is really 
our duty to give an honest pledge that 
hereafter we will give a full and cor- 
dial support of that government, which 
after all our sins against it proposes 
now not only to pardon (with a few 
exceptions) but also to spread over us 
the aegis of its protecting wings. 

Having taken the Oath, we went in- 
dustriously to work and with the as- 
sistance of one good printer, by pick- 
ing up the debris, assorting the type, 
patching some machinery and buying 
a little (with borrowed money), we 
are now enabled to come out with the 
paper as you see it. It is our deter- 
mination to publish a first-rate family 
newspaper, giving the subscriber as 



282 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



much reliable and interesting informa- 
tion on Commercial, Political and Mis- 
cellaneous subjects as the columns will 
contain. All Military and Govern- 
ment orders and Proclamations that 
pertain to the people of this section 
will be published as soon as received. 
The paper will be neither partisan nor 
sectarian, but we shall do all in our 
power to support President Johnson 
and the Provisional Governor in their 
present policy of restoring the Empire 
State of the South to its once proud 
position in the great family of States. 

Wanted — One Thousand Subscribers 
to This Paper — Our rates are low. The 
paper will be the best News Paper we 
can possibly make it. Terms, $1 for 
three months; $2 for six, or $4 for 
12 months. We will take in payment 
currency or produce, anything we can 
eat, drink or wear, at market price; 
also clean cotton or linen rags at 2 
cents per pound. No name will be 
entered on the Subscription Book until 
the paper is paid for, and the paper 
will be stopped as soon as the time 
paid for expires. 

Bill Arp. — We are promised a series 
of communications from this inimitable 
wit and satirist. Probably we may 
have one article from him next week. 

Important Military Order. — Capt. 
Kyes, commandant of this post, re- 
ceived a telegraphic dispatch from 
Gen. Steedman on the 29th inst. or- 
dering that no cotton shall be shipped 
from this place after that date until 
further orders. It is supposed that this 
order is general throughout the cotton 
states, and that all cotton will have to 
remain where it is for the present — 
one object of this order is to prevent 
the stealing of cotton that is now car- 
ried on to such a shameful extent in 
some sections. 

Taking the Oath. — While Capt. 
Heirs was Provost Marshal, from June 
10 to July 26, he administered the Oath 
to 342 persons; since August 14 Jesse 
Lamberth, ordinary of the county, has 
administered it to 770, making the 
total number up to noon yesterday 
1,112, and still they come. 

Schools in Rome. — Arrangements 
are made for a good number of ex- 
cellent schools for the children of 
Rome and vicinity. Mrs. Dr. Brown 
still continues her school at the former 
place. Mrs. Reeves has returned and 
will reopen her school on Monday next. 
See Advertisement. Mrs. Susan Smith 
is also about to commence another 
school, and Misses Maggie Riley and 
Mattie Sawrie each have prosperous 



schools now in operation. Mrs. J. W. 
M. Berrien also has a fine school, and 
Mrs. Jennings, her sister, teaches mu- 
sic. Mr. Nevin has a school for boys 
that we understand is well patronized 
and doing well. 

Rolling Mill and Machine Shop. — We 
are pleased to learn that H. M. An- 
derson & Co. are preparing to rebuild 
their rolling mill. Messrs. Noble 
Brothers are also arranging to rebuild 
their Machine Shops and Foundry, and 
we hope ere long to hear the genial 
hum of machinery all along Railroad 
Street as in times before the war. 

Business of Rome. — The business of 
this place has increased nearly 100 per 
cent a week for the last three months. 
We now have twelve dry goods stores, 
nearly all keeping more or less hard- 
ware, crockery and groceries; seven 
family grocery stores, two wholesale 
and retail grocery stores, two hotels, 
three eating saloons, six bar rooms, 
two billiard rooms, two livery stables, 
etc., and all doing a good business. 

"Home Again." — Nearly all the for- 
mer citizens of Rome and vicinity have 
returned and others intend coming 
soon. Among those who are still ab- 
sent are Dr. H. V. M. Miller, who is 
now in Macon but still claims Rome 
as his home and will soon return; A. 
M. Sloan, now in Thomasville, but ex- 
pects to move back in October; D. R. 
Mitchell and Dr. Jas. B. Underwood, 
now in Valdosta, intend to return this 
fall; Wade S. Cothran, now at Valula, 
is expected soon; Jno. R. Freeman, now 
at Flat Shoals, Meriwether County, is 
due before Christmas; Asahel R. Smith 
expects to move here again in a short 
time. In fine, nearly every one of the 
former residents are certain to return, 
and before long Rome will be herself 
again. 

Must Ladies Take the Oath?— "The 
orders are very plain on this subject. 
The ladies are required to take the 
Oath before taking their letters. By 
command of Maj. Gen. Steedman, S. 
B. Moe, Adjutant." The above is an 
extract of an order received by our 
Postmaster in reference to ladies re- 
receiving letters by mail. 

Drouth. — This section is suffering 
from drouth to an extent almost un- 
precedented. Since July 16 there has 
been but one little shower here, and 
then only one-fourth of an inch of wa- 
ter fell. The consequence is that all 
corn is greatly injured, and the late 
corn nearly ruined. The garden vege- 
tables and potato crop are nearly cut 
off. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



283 



County Meeting. — A call has been 
published for a meeting at the City 
Hall in Rome on Saturday, Sept. 9, to 
nominate candidates for the State Con- 
vention at Milledgeville. The State 
Convention will be entrusted with the 
most important and vital interests of 
the people, and the very truest and 
best men should be sent from every 
county. 

New Steamboat. — Our friends down 
the river and many others elsewhere 
will be glad to learn that fine progress 
is being made by H M. Anderson & 
Co. in constructing a new boat for the 
Coosa River. The boat is being built 
at McArver's Ferry, and we under- 
stand that a portion of the machinery 
of the old Alfarata will be used. 

Specimen Copies. — We send this 
number of The Courier to many of 
our old subscribers, in hopes that they 
will subscribe again. We can not fur- 
nish the paper on a credit. 

Garrison. — The military force now 
stationed here is Co. C, 29th Indiana 
troops, Capt. Kyes commanding. 

Hymeneal. — Married on the 20th 
inst., by Hon. Augustus R. Wright, 
Dr. Miller A. Wright and Miss Sallie 
Park, formerly of Columbia. On the 
24th inst., by the Rev. Jesse Lamberth, 
Mr. John Holland to Mrs. S. A. Stans- 
bury; all of this city. 
* * * 

A WAR-TIME LOTHARIO.— After 
having attended the Confederate Vet- 
erans' Reunion at Chattanooga, Curtis 
Green, of Oglesby, Tex., came to Rome 
Saturday, Oct. 29, 1921, to visit his 
relatives, Mrs. M. B. Eubanks and Ed 
A. Green; then developed a story of 
Civil War romance that it is the for- 
tune of few in a lifetime to hear or 
experience. Miss Sarah (Sallie) Wal- 
lace Howard appears as the heroine, 
and the meeting between the two, for 
the first time in 57 years, is staged 
at the home of R. E. Griffin, 101 West 
Eighth Avenue, where the circum- 
stances are recalled. 

In May, 1864, shortly after Rome 
was first occupied. Gen. Wm. T. Sher- 
man's headquarters for the Union Ar- 
my were at "Spring Bank," Bartow 
County, home of Capt. (Rev.) Chas. 
Wallace Howard, father of Miss Sallie 
Howard and of Miss Frances Thomas 
Howard, who in 1905 vividly recount- 
ed the family's war experience in a 
book entitled "In and Out of the 
Lines." "Spring Bank" was about 
midway between Kingston and "Barns- 
ley Gardens," the palatial estate of 
the Englishman, Godfrey Barnsley. 



The neighborhood was alive with 
"Yankees," but the confusion incident 
to the chase after Gen. Jos. E. John- 
ston's stubbornly retreating columns 
gave Curtis Green an opportunity to 
come within 100 yards of Gen. Sher- 
man's headquarters and to speak with 
Miss Sallie, then a slip of a girl at 
18. Mr. Green had been detailed as a 
spy to obtain information of Gen. Sher- 
man's movements, and he had boldly 
walked through the lines in a Union 
uniform, using a stretch of woodland 
to cover the dangerous distance be- 
tween his own men and the enemy. 

Miss Sallie was incredulous at first, 
but when he told her in a decided 
Southern accent that he was a mem- 
ber of the Sixth Georgia Cavalry un- 
der command of Gen. Jos. Wheeler, 
she believed his story, and admiringly 
declared she was so glad to see a Con- 
federate soldier that she desired to 
make him a nice present. It was his 
privilege to choose what the gift should 
be. Quite possibly he exacted a for- 
feit expressive of the happiness they 
felt at meeting, but history must record 
simply the fact that he asked her to 
make him a suit of home-spun clothes 
— not a military uniform, but a habit 
that might serve him better in gath- 
ering information for his chief. 

"But, little lady, we have only a 
minute more to talk," he warned her. 
"I must hurry back. If you would do 
your honored father and the Confed- 
eracy a service, you will meet me at 
1 o'clock after midnight tonight in the 
clump of pines at the top of yonder 
hill. Lucky for our cause if the clouds 
obscure the moon!" 

Miss Sallie's heart beat warm for 
the boys in gray. Her father was bat- 
tling to save the home from the in- 
vader. Her sisters and her mother 
were dyed-in-the-wool Rebels, and with 
all the strength at their command they 
had resisted the efforts of the foe. It 
was a perilous task but she could not 
be less brave than Curtis Green, for 
what is life without liberty and hon- 
or? Her smile told him she would be 
there, and he rushed away, as if to 
transact some important business at 
the front of the Union line. 

Miss Sallie took into her confidence 
Miss Fannie, who was 19, and undoubt- 
edly "Mother" Howard knew, for they 
never kept anything from her. At 
any rate, the young ladies dressed 
themselves in dark waists and dark 
skirts. If they were caught they would 
probably be shot, but they might es- 
cape by pleading that they had ven- 



284 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




ROMANS AND "NEAR ROMANS" HERE AND THERE. 

Wm. M. Hardin, Judge Harry Johnson, Chas. W. Morris, Richard Venable Mitchell and James 
D'Arcy; Miss Elizabeth Lanier and a group of Romans at "Oak Hill", home of Mrs. Thos. Berry; 
Col. Hamilton Yancey; George Rounsaville on parade; Little Miss Jean Landrum; Ernest E. 
Lindsey; Hughes Reynolds and W. S. Rowell in a playful argument; Wm. J. Vincent; Little Miss 
Patti O'Neill; a Kiwanis Club group helping to dedicate the Municipal bandstand. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



285 



tured forth with heavy hearts, unable 
to sleep, to search for the body of 
kinsman or friend. These heavy hearts 
were in their slender, white throats as 
they approached the most advantage- 
ous point in the line. Sentries stalked 
heavily to and fro at intervals while 
the snores of the rank and file told 
that they were at peace with the world 
for the nonce. 

By dodging behind an ammunition 
wagon here and a friendly tree there 
the girls managed to get through, and 
how they did fly up the hill! They had 
reached the clump of pines before Cur- 
tis Green, and they crouched low, and 
held their breaths; the pine needles 
seemed to spring up around and half 
to envelop them. Presently the young 
Confederate appeared. He was 24 and 
handsome. He greeted them with a 
warmth that reflected his admiration of 
their courage; pressed them to make 
haste; received valuable pointers on 
the number of Sherman's men and 
their disposition; bade them forewell 
with a promise to call presently for 
the suit of clothes, and bespoke the 
tender care of the Almighty in their 
return to the Howard home. The girls, 
having found the path one way, trod 
it safely again, and spelt soundly until 
morning. 

In two days the wool for Curtis 
Green's suit had been carded and spun. 
The outfit was ready, but lo! the hero 
was gone. Private arrangements with 
fair damsels in war are one thing, and 
stern army commands are quite an- 
other. Curtis Green's unit had been 
ordered on a scouting expedition near 
State Line, between Floyd County, Ga., 
and Cherokee County, Ala., and here 
he had been cut off and captured. After 
a considerable stay elsewhere, he was 
removed Sept. 23, 1864, to a rough 
wooden shack in Rome which stood at 
the southwest corner of Sixth Avenue 
and West Second Street, about 150 
feet north of the Floyd County jail and 
200 feet east of the Oostanaula River. 
A drum-head courtmartial had found 
him guilty of espionage and he had been 
sentenced to be shot Oct. 4 at sunrise. 

The prison was a rudely-improvised 
affair, either with a loose-plank floor- 
ing or a flooring of native earth. It 
contained a number of other prisoners 
whose capture had greatly increased 
their docility, and who did not become 
actively interested — at least not for 
themselves — in Green's plan to escape. 
The prisoners were mustered and 
counted every hour during daylight, 
so Green was forced to do his digging 
quickly. 



On the night before his execution 
was to take place, he was singing that 
old familiar Confederate air, "The Bon- 
nie Blue Flag:" 

"We are a band of brothers, 

And native to the soil, 
Fighting for our liberty 

With treasure, blood and toil. 
And when our rights were threatened 

Ihe cry rose near and far: 
'Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag 

That bears a single star!' 
Chorus : 
"Hurrah, hurrah, for Southern rights 

— hurrah ! 
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag 
That bears a single star!" 

The corporal of the guard remarked 
that he would be singing a different 
tune at daybreak and asked if he had 
any request or statement to make The 
fiery "Rebel" lit into the petty officer 
with a volley of vituperative abuse of 
the Union army and cause. Then he 
went about his digging, and by mid- 
night or shortly after had scooped out 
with hands and an old soup spoon 
enough earth to permit of his crawlin? 
to freedom. It is only fair to his com- 
panions to say that they assisted him 
with the excavation, and as he was 
about to make his getaway, snored 
loud enough to prevent the scraping 
o± his brass buttons against the sill 
ot the jail from being heard outside 
A miserable gas lamp at the corner 
flickered and sputtered; it shed a dim 
glow about the front of the prison and 
the sentry box, and cast a comforting 
shadow down a gulch that led to the 
Oostanaula River. Through this de- 
pression the escaped spy ran, tripped 
and rolled. He was greatly handi- 
capped because they had handcuffed 
him m front, but liberty was sweet, 
and when he reached the river he slid 
into it and began to swim as best he 
could, kicking hard with his feet, 
working his hands together in a side- 
wise position, and occasionally turning 
over on his back and churning the wa- 
ter with his feet like the paddle wheel 
of a steamboat. His escape was soon 
detected, and the firing of muskets let 
Gen. Jefferson C. Davis' garrison know 
something unusual had happened. 

When Mr. Green came to Cave 
Spring at 17 years of age he began 
swimming regularly in Big and Little 
Cedar Creeks; he possessed a strong 
and clever stroke; and he was so fa. 
miliar with Rome that instead of 
merely crossing the river and landing 
at the other side, as his guards be- 



286 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



lieved he would do, he set out for 
Black's Bluff, three miles down the 
Coosa, which in this day and time is 
considered a fair distance for a swim- 
mer to make with hands free. Here and 
there he could touch bottom, or he 
would snake himself on a half sub- 
merged log and admire the stars. Fi- 
nally, after several tedious hours, he 
reached the bluff, where he knew there 
v/cre Confederate scouts or natives, 
and with the aid of a bit of soap sup- 
plied by a farmwife, slipped off the 
manacles from his wrists. 

In the meantime. Miss Sallie How- 
ard had been wonderng what could 
have happened to Curtis Green, and 
had been keeping the home-spun suit 
beyond any "Yankee" reach. Eventu- 
ally her father received a serious 
wound and was paroled to Athens, and 
Miss Sallie went there to attend him, 
charging her good mother that if the 
Confederate trooper returned, the suit 
should be delivered to him. One day 
a dust-covered traveler in a tattered 
gray uniform rode up on a limping 
horse. He had surrendered with the 
Sixth Ga. Inf. in North Carolina and 
was on his way to Texas, to grow up 
with the "new country." He was verj^ 
sorry indeed that pretty Miss Sallie 
was absent, but said he with a note 
of hope in his voice, it would be some 
consolation in view of the eventuali- 
ties of 1865 if he could take with him 
the substantial garments she had 
made with her own hands the year 
before. It was Curtis Green. 

"God bless you, Mrs. Howard!" he 
cried as he mounted his steed and 
started for the Etowah ford; "and 
may your halls and lawn never again 
be defiled with such a motley throng! 
I'll keep this suit as long as nature 
will spare it; and I'll save these hand- 
cuffs to remind me of a pleasant voy- 
age around Rome!" 

^- ^ ^ 

SAM P. JONES AT ROME.— When 
Sam Jones was 9 his mother died and 
his father married Jessie Skinner; and 
in 1859 they went to live at Carters- 
ville. The young man was being pre- 
pared for college, but he developed a 
wild streak, started drinking heavily 
and by 21 had practically wrecked his 
health. Straightening up for a time, 
he studied law and was admitted to 
the bar, but never carried his practice 
far. His devoted father died in 1878 
and San' promised him on his death- 
bed to reform. His experiences had 
not broken his spirit and he saw in 
them an opportunity to benefit his fel- 
low men. A week after his father's 



death he preached his first sermon at 
New Hope church, two miles from Car- 
tersville. His first appointment was 
to Van Wert circuit, where he served 
three years until 1875, when he was 
assigned to the DeSoto (Rome) Cir- 
cuit as pastor of the Second Methodist 
(now Trinity) church and six small 
churches through the county, includ- 
ing Prospect Methodist at Coosa. He 
built his church in the Fourth Ward; 
when Trinity Methodist was erected, 
the old structure was moved to 402 
W. Fifth xivenue, next door to the 
Second Christian church, and was con- 
verted into a dwelling. It is standing 
today. He and his wife occupied the 
lower story of 733 Avenue A, south- 
west corner of W. Tenth Street, now 
the home of Varnell Chambers. 

Mr. Jones continued to fight the devil 
and also to tamper with the devil's 
firewater. He was not sensitive to the 
extent of excluding his own shortcom- 
ings fror: his pulpit discourses, and 
often told of this harrowing experience 
and that, and warned young men to 
go the other way. Rome was a wide- 
open barroom town, so Mr. Jones found 
many human wrecks to shoot at, and 
an occasional door that swung open 
for himself. On one occasion the 
Fourth Ward brethren discovered Mr. 
Jones unable to proceed with his du- 
ties and they wired Rev. Thos. F. 
Pierce, presiding elder of the district, 
asking what to do. Dr. Pierce wired, 
"Tell him to go to preaching." He 
went to preaching and recovered his 
mental and physical equilibrium. His 
lodge brethren expelled him from 
membership, but years later when his 
reformation was complete and fame 
crowned his brow like a benediction he 
accepted reinstatement with the grace 
of a prince. 

His first revival work was done at 
the First Methodist church (where the 
Candler Building now stands) in At- 
lanta, with Rev. Clement A. Evans, 
who had previously, in 1879, filled the 
pulpit of the First Methodist at Rome, 
but it was not until January, 1883, at 
Memphis, that his fame began to grow, 
as thousands hit the "sawdust trail." 
Thereafter he preached all over the 
United States and converted countless 
sinners. It is estimated that he ad- 
dressed 1,000,000 people a year. Every 
now and then he would come back to 
Rome. The South Broad Methodist 
church sponsored his visit in 1897 and 
received its share of the proceeds of 
the collection. No church in Rome was 
large enough to hold the crowd, so the 
Howel cotton warehouse was selected. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



287 



Romans will not soon forget his pow- 
erful arraignment of Satan and his 
works. 

"Shams and the Genuine" was his 
subject on this occasion. 

Several years before this Mr. Jones 
had come to Rome to conduct a two 
weeks' revival. On the very first night 
he painted a glowing picture of the 
sins of the community. Judge Jno. 
W. Maddox happened to be presiding 
officer of the Superior Court at the 
time, and when he read of Sam Jones' 
castigations on Rome and Floyd Coun- 
ty he laid the matter before the grand 
jury, with the demand that Mr. Jones 
be made to appieai' and prove his 
charges. The evangelist cut his Rome 
engagement short. He explained later 
that he was dealing in generalities 
which he knew to be true, whether he 
could prove them or not. 

The story is told that one Saturday 
Mr. Jones left Rome to fill the pulpit 
at Prospect church, Coosa. There was 
a narrow gauge railroad known as 
the Rome & Jacksonville, which was 
"limited" to the Rome-Coosa region 
and at the latter point "quit." Mr. 
Jones drove horse and buggy along 
the railroad for several miles, mutter- 
ing that if a train could run on such 
a track, with the help of the Almighty 
HE certainly could, and his mare could 
hit the crossties like the devil in the 
ten-pin alley of irresolute souls. 

Mr. Jones was fond of telling stories 
incident to his travels. His favorite 
was the following from an old-time 
darkey, a compliment he always said 
was the highest he had ever received: 

"Well, Brudder Jones, you sholy does 
preach like a nigger! You may have 
a white skin, but I tell you, sir, you 
has a big black heart!" 

Mr. Jones' churchmen and neigh- 
bors at Cartersville were accustomed 
to gather yearly to celebrate his birth- 
day. They had made elaborate prepa- 
rations in 1906 to welcome him home 
from a swing through the west. He 
died C)ct. 15, of that year while his 
train sped homeward, a day before 
the event, and the rejoicing was turned 
into a funeral dirge. The brave heart, 
the massive brain had worn themselves 
out in the strenuous effort to pilot sin- 
ful humanity through) the heavenly 
gates. 

:K Hs * 

RAZZING MR. GRADY.— Captain 
Dwinell reproduced the following squib 
in The Courier of Nov. 26, 1869, and 
added a touch of his own : 

" 'Gloria Mundi — which, being inter- 



preted, might mean that Rome is to 
have glory on Monday, the 22d inst., 
from "G. G. Grady's old-fashioned cir- 
cus." As there seems to be h consid- 
erable number of the Grady family 
connected with this saw-dust enter- 
tainment, we beg leave to inquire if 
the immortal "six" or the prolific 
"King Hans," concerning which a vast 
amount of inky tears have been shed, 
have been retained. If not, the pro- 
prietor has lost a trump card. — Au- 
gusta Constitutionalist.' 

"Our junior is attending the fair at 
Macon, and since he is well known as 
a Hans-ome man, is doubtless think- 
ing more of diamond than of sawdust 
rings. As to the 'immortal six,' they 
may be tumbling around somewhere 
but whether it is 'ground' or 'lofty' 
tumbling we are not advised." 
* * * 

ONE WAY TO MAKE MONEY.— 
"Skinning a flea for his hide and tal- 
low" was a popular occupation 
throughout the South after the Civil 
War. There was little to eat and lit- 
tle money. Along came Zachariah B. 
Hargrove, Jr., in 1869 as mayor, and 
decided on an easy way to relieve the 
local money shortage. 

"Hell," exclaimed 'Little Zach" with 




SAM P. JONES, evangelist, who built a Meth- 
odist Church in Rome and became its pastor, 
later removing to Cartersville. 



288 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



characteristic directness, "I'll PRINT 
some money!" 

And he did. An expert engraver 
was hired, and before he had ceased 
his operations he had ground out $50,- 
000, which was considered sufficient. 
About the time the last $1,000 was 
being spent to "ease things," word 
came from the Treasury Department 
informing the Rome mayor that the 
money printing monopoly was located 
in Washington. After cussing out the 
"troublesome Yankees," "Little Zach" 
reluctantly called the money in. Now 
and then a bill that didn't get caught 
in the call bobs up and is stuck in a 
scrap book as a precious relic of those 
palmy printing press days. 
* * * 

A PLEASANT HOUSE PARTY.— 
All kinds of entertainments were en- 
joyed by the guests of a house party 
at the F. M. Freeman home at Free- 
man's Ferry in 1898. A lawn party 
there, a band-wagon ride to Mobley 
Park for an evening theatrical per- 
formance and dance following, a swell 
supper at the Armstrong, then the 
ride by moonlight back to the banks 
of the gurgling Etowah, formed part 
of the entertainment 

Among the guests were Mrs. J. G. 
Blount, chaperon; Misses Lou Flem- 
ing, Edith Carver, Julia and Edith 
Smith, Mary Berry, Hazel Adkins, Ce- 
leste Ayer, Clara and Ella Johnson, 
Laura Jones, Orie Best, Mayme Hud- 
gins, Lillian Hurt, Susie Freeman, Lil- 
lian Lochrane and "Merrimac" Arnold, 
and Messrs Harry Patton, W. Addi- 
son Knowles, Bernard Hale, Walter 
Ross, Sproull Fouche, Waring Best, 
Oscar H. McWilliams, Langdon Gam- 
mon, Dr. Wm. J. Shaw, Griff Sproull, 
Sam Hardin, J. A. Blount, John M. 
and Tom Berry, Nick Ayer, Paul 
Jones, Horace Johnson, Julian Hurt, 
R. S. Best, Wm. McWilliams and Hor- 
ace King. 

^'c :!i A 

WROTE WHAT HE THOUGHT.— 
"Nathan Yarbrough, former mayor, 
was sheriff in 1866-7," says Judge 
Joel Branham's booklet, ''The Old 
Court House in Rome," (p. 65). "He 
was a stout, broad-shouldered, red- 
headed man, abrupt in manner, firm 
and fearless in conduct and opinion. 
He moved to Texas many years ago, 
and died there. His docket shows 
these characteristic entries: 

J. J. Cohen Admr. 

Vs. 

J. L. Ellis 

Judgt. 1866, $22.50. 



"Cost paid to J. M. Langston, clerk. 
Principal and interest of this fi. fa. 
paid by me at the request of the de- 
fendant. He has kept me out of this 
money two years by lying, and then 
swindled me out of $10 by lying. Fi. 
fa. given to him satisfied." — Docket, 
p. 4. 

Robt. T. McCay 

Vs. 

A. M. Kerr 

$93.87 and cost. Nov. 13, 1859. Nulla 
bona. 

"Bad eggs. Both gone up the spout. 
Kerr has since come to life, and like 
a good many of us, is kicking to make 
a living, but can't pay old debts. Let 
them go with the past." Feb. 3, 1860." 
—Docket, p. 40. 

Magnus & Wise 

Vs. 

J. J. Skinner 

$178 and cost. 

"Joe may come to it after a while, 

but the Radicals have released him. 

April 13, 1867."— Docket, p. 45. 

^ :J; ^ 

JUDGE BRANHAM ON OLD 
TIMES.— The Rome News of Oct. 3, 
1921, carried the following reminis- 
cences from the late Judge Joel Bran- 
ham: 

"The first time I ever saw the city 
of Rome was in April, 1861, and again 
on the 20th day of that month. The 
population then, I suppose, was about 
3,500. Sam Stewart was the marshal 
and had been for several years, and 
he ruled the discordant elements of the 
city successfully. He had no pistol. 
He carried a gold headed cane. When 
he said stop, they stopped. I wish we 
had his like again. 

"I came from Kingston to Rome on 
the Rome railroad, then the only rail- 
road to this city. The track was laid 
on stringers with bar iron a little 
thicker than the iron tire that goes 
around a wagon wheel. Holes were 
punched in the iron and it was spiked 
down on the stringers. Such a thing 
as a "T" rail was unknown. The depot 
stood where the Stamps wholesale 
fruit house iiow stands on the north 
side of Broad Street. The cars con- 
sisted of a little engine which burned 
wood, a baggage car, a passenger car 
vnth side seats such as is used on 
street railroads. The passengers faced 
one another in this little car. The 
depot building was as long as the train 
and no cars stood across Broad Street. 
Wade S. Cothran was the president. 
He was a man of magnificent mind, 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



289 



the most progressive citizen of the city 
of Rome, and a man of strict hon- 
esty. C. M. Pennington, whose house 
stood where the Country Club now 
stands, was the superintendent. 

"The Shorter block between Broad, 
Second Avenue and the river was all 
vacant property except the depot 
building referred to. It was seven feet 
below the present grade. 

"The Etowah Hotel stood on that 
parcel of ground now embraced by 
the Norton Drug Store and all the 
buildings down to and including the 
Rome Hardware Store and extended 
back from Broad Street of the same 
width to East First Street. The hotel 
was a wooden building, three stories, 
with a veranda around it and stood 
back from Broad Street. I stopped 
there when I came to Rome to. be 
married on the 20th of April, 1861. It 
was kept by Geo. S. Black. 

"The block between First and Sec- 
end Avenue, East First and East Sec- 
ond Streets was vacant, and it was 
also vacant when I moved to Rome in 
January, 1867. I had a barley patch 
where the Cooper warehouse now 
stands and my cow grazed in that bar- 
ley patch. 

"The block on which I now live, 264x 
400, was vacant except for my resi- 
dence, then a six-room house, four 
rooms on the first floor and two 
above, and a little old dwelling on the 
extreme corner opposite the Methodist 
church. In the middle of this block 
v/here the Rounsaville warehouse now 
stands there was a pond of stagnant 
and green water. In the summer time 
the frogs croaked their 'jug-o'-rum,' 
'jug-o'-rum, 'jug-o'-rum,' an article 
which we do not now have in that 
neighborhood. 

"Asahel R. Smith, father of Bill 
Arp, my partner, resided on the lot 
where the Methodist church now 
stands. 

"The town was originally built on 
245, 23rd and 3rd; 276 belonged to 
Alfred Shorter. It contained the old 
farm house, a log building in the cen- 
ter of the north half of the block 
lying between Third and Fourth Ave- 
nues and East Second and East Third 
Streets. Only the farm house and the 
residence of P. M. Sheibley was on 
that block. There were no other 
houses on it. 

"Maj. Chas. H. Smith's home em- 
braced all the territory lying between 
Fourth Avenue, Shorter College alley 
and East Third and East Fourth 
Streets. Mrs. Charlie Hight's resi- 



dence and a number of other residences 
are now on this property. 

"I came through the country from 
Milner, Ga., with a friend of mine in 
a buggy in February, 1865. He 
brought $10,000 buckled around his 
waist; I had $12,000. We came here 
to buy land; we didn't buy it; we 
still have our money. We crossed on 
a ferry boat. There was not a man 
to be seen on Broad Street. The town 
was desolate. 

"I came to Cartersville just after the 
surrender of Lee in a wagon driven 
by Harrison Watters and owned by 
Z. B. Hargrove. They were running 
a passenger line between Atlanta and 
Cartersville. At Cartersville we took 
the railroad to Rome. It was then op- 
erated by Federal troops, and they 
were cursing and swearing and drink- 
ing on the train in the presence of 
my wife. Just before I left Macon on 
this occasion a company of lawyers 
were gathered at the corner of Zeiland 
& Hunt's drug store. There was but 
one dollar of green back in the crowd. 
Not a single one of us had a cent of 
money. I said, 'I am going to leave 
this country and go to a country where 
there are no negroes.' At this Clif- 
ford Anderson, who was afterwards 
attorney general, laughed heartily. He 
said it reminded him of a man who 
was sitting on a cart tongue and the 
steers were running away with him. 
Seme man cried out, 'Why don't vou 
jump off?' 'Hell,' he says, 'it's all I 
can do to hold on.' " 
* * * 

PAYING THE FIDDLER HIS 
MITE.— The following letter to E. F. 
Shropshire, clerk of the City Council, 
from Cave Spring, dated Feb. 24, 1871, 
will illustrate the penchant many peo- 
ple have of piping "economy notes" 
unto worthy "scops and gleemen:" 

"Dear Sir: Yours of 19h inst., en- 
closing check for $4, balance due Cave 
Spring Band for services rendered the 
citizens of Rome at the Waterworks 
Celebration, has been received. As 
that amount does not pay our leader 
(outside of the other performers), we 
very respectfully return it. 

"The hotel charges are wrong. Only 
six members of the band stopped at 
Mr. Graves', which number had two 
meals each with the exception of my- 
self, who had three meals. He also 
makes a bar bill which I am author- 
ized by each and every member of 
the band to say is false. 

"Hoping that when the city of Rome 
again needs the services of a band that 



290 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



it will procure those of one that will 
give it better satisfaction, I am, dear 
sir, as representative of the band, 
"Very respectfully yours, 
"P. E. ALEXANDER, 
"Secretary Star Cornet Band." 
"P. S. — Our understanding was that 
we were to receive $25 and all ex- 
penses. P. E. A." 

Mr. Shropshire eased the municipal 
conscience by appending on the outside 
of the sheet the trite notation, "Cave 
Spring Band Busted." 
* * * 

A RELATIONSHIP EXPLAINED. 
— Since many people are confused as 
to the relationship between Woodrow 
Wilson and the Bones family, once 
residents of Rome, a lady close to them 
offers the following explanation: 

"The Bones family are related to 
the Wilson family through Mrs. Bones, 
who before her marriage to Mr. James 
W. Bones was Miss Marion Woodrow, 
the sister of Miss Jennie Woodrow, who 
married Mr. Joseph Wilson, the father 
of President Woodrow Wilson. Hence 
Mrs. Bones Vas Woodrow Wilson's 
aunt, whom his mother, he and his 
brother Joseph used to visit when Mrs. 
Bones lived on upper Broad Street, 




ELLEN LOU AXSON, as she looked in 1882 
during the courtship of Woodrow Wilson at 
Rome, which included a Silver Creek picnic. 



in the house at 709 known as 
the Featherston place. When Wood- 
row Wilson later became a young man 
he visited Mrs. Bones, then living in 
East Rome, and his cousin, Mrs. A. 
Thew H. (Jessie Bones) Brower. It 
was at Mrs. Brower's home that he 
met Miss Ellen Louise Axson, who 
later became his wife in Savannah. At 
this time the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Brower was on the hill just west of 
the Southern depot, and then was the 
only house on the hill, and the grounds 
extended down to the Terhune place 
(and may have included it) and em- 
braced the ground on which the Ted- 
castle home was built, now known as 
'Hillcrest,' the residence of Mr. and 
Mrs. John M. Graham. Mr. Brower 
was interested in the East Rome Land 
Co., which owned most of East Rome. 
"The Brower house was afterwards 
bought by Judge John W. Maddox, and 
when the Ragan home was erected next 
to it, Judge Maddox moved it some 
distance to the site it now occupies. 
The present occupants are Mr. and 
Mrs. Arthur D. Hull, and the location 
is 6 Coral Avenue. The Browers re- 
moved to Chicago in April, 1884." 

;!j A ;tj 

WOODROW WILSON'S COURT- 
SHIP. — The chance circumstance of a 
slack legal practice for a young law- 
yer quite possibly explains how Rome 
was put more prominently in the pub- 
lic eye than in any other chain of 
circumstances since the city's estab- 
lishment. Woodrow Wilson was born 
Dec. 28, 1856, at Staunton, Va., hence 
was 26 years old in 1882, when Judge 
George Hillyer, of Atlanta, and others 
signed his license to practise his pro- 
fession in that city, shortly before he 
paid a visit to Rome. Judge Hillyer 
is authority for the statement that 
Mr. Wilson first practised a short time 
in the Central building, southwest cor- 
ner of E. Alabama and S. Pryor 
Streets, and then on Marietta Street 
near the southeast corner of N. For- 
syth, where the Ivan Allen-Marshall 
Co. office supply store is now located, 
and in the second story. At this lat- 
ter place he was in partnership with 
Edward J. Renick, later assistant sec- 
retary of state in President Cleve- 
land's second administration, and still 
later special legal representative of 
th( banking concern of Coudert Broth- 
ers. He had graduated at Princeton 
University in 1879 and in law at the 
University of Virginia in 1880, and 
after the usual preliminaries of pri- 
vate study a committee examined him 
two hours in the Fulton County Su- 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



291 



perior Court and decided he was well 
qualified. Attorney Gadsden, of South 
Carolina, was chairman of the bar 
committee, and Judge Hillyer was a 
member of it. 

The shingle of Wilson & Renick 
failed to produce business in spite of 
their earnest application, and in the 
summer of 1882 Mr. Wilson found it 
convenient to take a two-months' va- 
cation in Rome as the guest of his 
cousin, Mrs. A. Thew H. Brower, 
and his aunt, Mrs. Jas. W. Bones, 
whose husband was maintaining the 
Rome branch of the well-known Au- 
gusta hardware concern of J. & S. 
Bones & Co. The Bones home was 
built by Mr. Bones, and is identified 
today as the residence of S. L. Han- 
cock, in Oak Park, East Rome, south- 
west of the Yancey place. Some years 
previously the family had lived on 
Broad. Half a mile away lived a first 
cousin, Jessie Bones, who had become 
the second wife of A. Thew H. Brower. 
Col. Brower's first wife, Mary Mar- 
garet (Minnie) Lester, had died Feb. 
6, 1878. 

The Bones family were staunch 
Presbyterians. Mrs. Bones' father 
was Dr. James Woodrow, a teacher in 
the old Oglethorpe University at Mil- 
ledgeville, and whose championship of 
the Darwinish theory and other ad- 
vanced ideas after the war caused his 
suspension by the Presbyterian Synod 
of South Carolina from the faculty of 
the Columbia Theological Seminary at 
Columbia.* 

Mr. Bones was a high official in the 
Rome church, and Woodrow Wilson's 
father. Dr. Jos. R. Wilson, was a 
Presbyterian minister at Augusta; 
hence when Sunday rolled around 
there was no conflict as to whether the 
young barrister should attend services, 
and where. With Mr. and Mrs. Bones 
and his first cousin. Miss Helen Bones 
(who became Mrs. Wilson's White 
House secretary), Mr. Wilson went to 
the brick church at Third Avenue and 
E. First Street. 

The sermon was not so engrossing 
that the visitor failed to notice the 
piquant beauty of a girl with brown 
eyes and hair that fell in graceful 
curls upon her forehead, sitting hard 

*The synod later exonerated him by electing 
him moderator, the highest office in its power ; 
and still later he became president of the 
University of South Carolina. Thus his own 
evolutions and theirs were of a pronouncea 
character. Dr. Woodrow taught Sidney Lanier, 
Southern poet, at Oglethorpe, and Mr. Lanier 
proclaimed his old teacher the greatest moral 
influence in his life. Authority : Dr. Thorn- 
ivall Jacobs, president of Oglethorpe University, 
Atlanta. 



by. He looked not once, but several 
times before the sermon was concluded, 
and stole a glance or so as the congre- 
gation were leaving for their homes. 
He was so fascinated by this young 
lady's beauty that he inquired as to 
who she might be and if by some 
chance he might not be privileged to 
meet her. He was told that it was 
Ellen Louise Axson, daughter of the 
Rev. Samuel Edward Axson, the pas- 
tor, who was living in a cottage on 
the Third Avenue lot where Jno. C. 
Glover now resides. 

Mrs. Brower found that she could 
do her Atlanta cousin a good turn, so 
proposed that they invite Miss Axson 
and several others to go on a picnic 
east of Lindale, to a spring which 
forms part of the headwaters of Silver 
Creek. The meeting place was at the 
Brower home, and when young Wood- 
row asked if he hadn't better take 
some lunch, Miss Ellen Lou readily 
suggested that she had plenty for 
two, and this ofl^'er left no room for 
argument. Others who were invited 
and went were Edith Lester, 6 years 
old, now Mrs. Wm. P. Harbin; her 
nephew, Jno. Lefoy Brower, 4, de- 
ceased; Ella, Mary Florence, Harry 
and Frank Young, of East Rome; and 




(THOMAS) WOOT)R0W WILSON, about the 
time he first saw Ellen Lou Axson in the 
First Presbyterian Church, Rome. 



292 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Helen and Marion M. Bones (died Mar. 
6, 1888). The distance was eight or 
nine miles, and two rigs were used; 
the more attractive of the two for the 
young folks was Col. Brower's wagon 
with side seats, in the body of which 
plenty of wheat straw had been piled; 
and then there was the buggy, which 
carried Col. and Mrs. Brower and their 
baby, and Mrs. B. S. Lester, mother 
of Edith Lester and of Mr. Brower's 
first wife. 

'Tis said Woodrow and Ellen Lou 
chose the back of the wagon that they 
might dangle their feet behind, and 
away went the future president of the 
United States and the future First 
Lady of the Land, caring little wheth- 
er school kept or law business were 
remunerative or not. 

After bumping along country roads 
for an hour and a half they arrived 
at the picnic ground. The lisping of 
the gentle waters and the droning of 
the bees in a nearby field of wild flow- 
ers furnished the systematic tremolo 
for the young lawyer's love sonata, and 
soon they strayed off from the crowd. 
Lunch time came and all were sum- 
moned to the well-filled baskets. All 
save two were ravenously hungry after 
a session of romping and wading. 
These two were industriously search- 
ing for four-leaf closers on the pasture 
greensward; playing "Love-me; love 
me not" with flower petals; blowing 
the downy tops off dandelion stems. 

"I wonder where Ellie Lou and 




A. THEW H. BROWER. 



Woodrow can be?" asked Mrs. Brower, 
as if aware of nothing. 

"I know," piped one of the chil- 
dren; "he's over there cutting a heart 
on a beech tree!" 

The preliminaries were all disposed 
of that day and fei'vent resolutions 
made if not promises exacted. The 
fates which had been cruel to Rome 
smiled upon the dilemma of the young 
Atlanta lawyer. A freshet in 1881 and 
swept away the first East Rome bridge 
(over the Etowah at Second Avenue). 
The river separated Woodrow and El- 
len Lou, so the former borrowed a bat- 
teau built personally by Col. Brower, 
and they not only crossed, but paddled 
up and down." We hear much of 
President Wilson's famous typewriter, 
and of how he would put on his old 
gray sweater of his Princeton days and 
peck away at it on the George Wash- 
ington; League of Nations "dope" 
ground out on the high seas, as well as 
Gay Paree and Washington. But 
again we must go back to Rome. He 
brought his typewriter with him in 
1882 and did some copying for Col. 
Brower in the Cothran-Brower suit 
over the East Rome land. 

However, all was not so smooth for 
the youthful lovers as the surface of 
the crooning Etowah; they would be 
obliged to wait until the wherewithal 
was forthcoming. Woodrow came back 
now and then. A year or two passed 
and Ellen Lou (who removed to Sa- 
vannah) went to New York with Anna 
Lester (older sister of Edith) and 
Florence Young. The girls were bound 
for the Art Students' League, to study 
art and kindergarten work. Mr. Wil- 
son may have been teaching at Bryn 
Mawr then, and again he mayn't, but 
he got on the train at Philadelphia 
and soon joined the young ladies and 
escorted them to the big city of the 
East. The three boarded at an es- 
tablishment similar to the Y. W. C. A. 
of the present time. Alas! as long as 
they were here they were supposed to 
be hard at work and not to receive their 
gentlemen friends. This rule did not 
comport with the desires of Miss Axson 
or Mr. Wilson, so she found more con- 
genial surroundings. She was un- 
usually talented with the brush, and 
their homes wherever they lived in 
later years contained numerous evi- 
dences of her handiwork. On June 
24, 1885, they were married at Sa- 
vannah, at the home of the bride's 
grandparents, with whom she was then 
residing. On visits of Mrs. Wilson to 
Gainesville two of her daughters were 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



293 




RECALLING WOODROW WILSON'S COURTSHIP. 

At top, left, Mrs. J. W. Bones, Mr. Wilson's aunt; Miss Marion M. Bones, his cousin; 
Mrs. S. E. Axson, mother of Ellen Lou Axson; Minnie Lester, the first wife of A. Thew 
H. Brower, at whose home Mr. Wilson met Miss Axson. Next, the West and McDonald 
homes, built by the Axsons; the Brower and Bones homes; in oval, Axson home in 1882, 
and Silver Creek, on which a picnic brought the young couple together. 



294 



A History of iRome and Floyd County 



born; there she was the guest of her 
aunt, Mrs. Louisa C. Hoyt-Brown, 
mother of Col. Edward T. Brown, of 
Atlanta and Washington, D. C. Most 
of the time they lived in the North. 
From 1890 to 1910 they were residents 
of Princeton, N. J., the last eight years 
of which Mr. Wilson was president of 
Princeton University. Then he was 
chosen governor of New Jersey, and 
in 1912 became twenty-eighth Presi- 
dent of the United States. 

From the executive mansion at Tren- 
ton Mrs. Wilson engaged in welfare 
v.-ork throughout New Jersey, and she 
continued her efforts two years in the 
White House, where she died Aug. 6, 
1914. The grief-stricken husband ac- 
companied her to the Old Home Town 
and to Myrtle Hill cemetery, there to 
lay her beside her loving parents. On 
the hill above the depot stood the two- 
story frame dwelling where he had first 
met her, and beyond the hill Silver 
Creek murmured its old-time love-song 
as it went tumbling on down toward 
the sea. 

HOME GUARDS (THE ROME 
TRUE BLUES).— This military com- 
pany, with tents pitched July 6, 1884, 
at Camp DeForrest, Forrestville 
(North Rome), and Gov. Henry D. 
McDaniel looking on, received a hand- 
some flag from Mr. and Mrs. M. A. 
Nevin, containing on one side the 
Stars and Stripes, and on the other 
the Georgia coat of arms. 

The "ossifers" were Richard V. 
Mitchell, Jr., captain; Jas. B. Nevin, 
first lieutenant; Chas. J. Warner, Jr., 
first sergeant; Louis S. Rosenberg, 
second; Paul P. Fenner, third; Wm. 
Coleman, fourth; Jno. W. Bale, first 
corporal; Herbert T. Amos, second; 
Wyly Snider, third; Frank Omberg, 
fourth; Dr. J. M. Gregory, surgeon; 
Julius S. Mitchell, color bearer. 

The "privates," outnumbering the 
"ossifers" by two, were Dickson C. 
Stroud, George Snider, Baker and Wal- 
ter Weems, Gregory Omberg, Henry 
Adkins, Sam and Max Kuttner, Hugo 
Spitz, Ed Lamkin, Frank S. Bale, Ben 
Cooper, Wm. Harbour and Frank D. 
Edge. 

The company's captain tells the fol- 
lowing "tales out of school:" 

"Most of the boys were very young, 
and they were quartered in three large 
tents next to the state troops, who 
were in annual encampment in For- 
restville. During the night a terrific 
wind storm broke on the camp, making 
the tents behave like balloons, and caus- 
ing the True Blues to think of home. 



A faithful sentry was ordered to round 
up the scattered members, but could 
not find them until next morning, and 
then all were at church in Rome. The 
captain was found there, too, and after 
a while the bunch disbanded. 

"In the winter of 1884, several 
months prior to this incident, the ladies 
gave a bazaar in Noble Hall (the old 
City Hall) for the benefit of the Rome 
Light Guards or the Hill City Cadets. 
A prize drill at night was on the pro- 
gram for Broad Street, with the 
Guards, the Cadets, the True Blues 
and a Cave Spring company com- 
manded by Col. H. D. Capers as con- 
testants. 

"The True Blues were sure their 
drill was the best, and when they failed 
to receive even 'honorable m'ention,' 
they left for their armory in consider- 
able disorder. On passing an alley 
back of the Choice House, they were 
confronted by a Ku Klux 'ghost' in 
spooky white. The captain was seized 
by the 'ghost,' and the company left 
him for the light of a gas burner 
down on Broad. If the 'ghost' had 
taken full advantage of the situation, 
he could have had more guns and ac- 
coutrements than he could have car- 
ried. The captain got away by scratch- 
ing and biting the 'ghost.' " 



AN OBSTREPEROUS MAYOR.— 
A good many years ago, — it may have 
been before the Civil War and again 
it may have been after — Rome had a 
mayor who often wrestled with "John 
Barleycorn" and nearly always got 
"thrown." On this occasion he ate a 
little lunch and drank a lot of beer 
and licker at the bar at Fifth Avenue 
and Broad, and was trying to make it 
to the next "station" when a policeman 
accosted him. His "Irish" was now up 
and he pulled away from • the officer, 
saying, "Don't you know the mayor 
of this (hie) town?" Then he went 
back into the saloon and loaded up 
good; proceeded home with outraged 
feelings and armed himself to the 
teeth. 

Some said his gun was 30 inches long 
and weighed nine pounds; others that 
it was 18 and weighed seven. Anyway, 
he went back to town looking for po- 
licemen, and when he saw two, backed 
behind a telephone pole and shouted 
defiance. The officers took him in tow 
and chucked him into the "jug," where 
he became so noisy that they confined 
him in a sort of cage in the rear of 
the station. He obtained a hose and 
turned it on himself; Etowah water 



Anecdotes and Reminsicences 



295 



sobered him and he called for the turn- 
key to bring the "Black Maria" so he 
could go home again in style. 

It was said that on one of his sprees 
he "kissed the candy man's wife," no 
doubt thinking she was his own; and 
that he was "put in" on another occa- 
sion. When "at himself," said the old 
timers, he made one of the best mayors 
Rome ever had. 



A PEACE PRAYER IN 1898— Sup- 
plications for international amity did 
not start after the German Armistice 
Nov. 11, 1918. In the Rome Georgian 
of May 28, 1898 (Beulah S. Moseley, 
editor), we find the following from 
Capt. Christopher Rowell, a veteran of 
the Civil War: 

"There is much in the pomp of war 
to attract the multitude; the noise of 
contending legions, the shouts of vic- 
tory, of strains of martial music. The 
outward panoply of war always com- 
mands close attention, more of those 
who are not familiar with the details 
than of those who in retrospect contem- 
plate the progress of such a state of 
things. A war waged for humanity's 
sake would look like a contradiction, 
but it is through the ordeal of shed- 
ding blood that many of the changes 
in the progress of civilization have 
been brought about. A war of defense 
is always justifiable, but a war for ac- 
quisition of territory or political ag- 
gi'andizement, in fact, for any pur- 
pose except for defense of humanity's 
sake, must be of questionable pro- 
priety in this so-called civilized age. 
May we not hope that there will always 
be a redeeming spirit of law and hu- 
manity in war? It may be many days 
yet before 'grim visaged war shall 
smooth its wrinkled front,' but we hope 
it will not be long before our bugles 
will again sing truce, when the storm 
cloud of war has fled. It may be that 
the writer's views of war may not 
accord with the notions of this utili- 
tarian age; but the time is surely com- 
ing when the first streaks of morning 
shall broaden into the full fruition of 
the coming day — on some occasion, too, 
when the great Arch Angel standing 
with one foot upon the land and one 
foot upon the sea shall proclaim that 
time shall be no more." 

:;: * * 

BESSIE MOORE'S THRILLING 
FLIGHTS.— Miss Bessie A. Moore, 
former society editor of The Rome 
News, made the first flight taken by a 
Roman from Towers Aviation Field at 
the North Georgia Fair grounds, in 



West Rome, and was perhaps the first 
woman to fly over the Hill City. This 
was a day following the dedication of 
the field, Tuesday, October 11, 1919, 
by Commander John H. Towers, of the 
navy. The flight was made at 11 a. m. 
with Lieut. Kenneth B. Wolfe, U. S. 
A., in his Hispania Suiss plane, and 
lasted 30 minutes. 

In 1920 Miss Moore participated in 
a more interesting and sensational 
flight. Major Lawrence S. Churchill, 
U. S. A., came up to Rome from' 
Souther Field, Americus, to claim her 
for his bride. He flew to Rome in his 
airship and flew away after the cere- 
mony with the blushing Miss Bessie. 
Let her tell in her own words of v/hat 
she saw in Rome on the first-mentioned 
flight: 

"Strapped in and ready to go! The 
feeling is indescribable. While the 
propeller raises a cloud of dust and 
send.s a stiff wind into your face, your 
emotions are mixed. You are curious, 
pleased, anxious, filled with wonder as 
to how it will feel, if you will be fright- 
ened, if you will be sick, and every 
minute seems like five before you 
get away. 

"We took ofl" facing town. The plane, 
once started, ran along over the 
ground, then got smoother. Pleased 
ir finitely, I was anxious to rise, 
and eager for the sensation that comes 
when you ascend in your first flight. 
I had waved my handkerchief to all 
the spectators and was sitting still 
waiting for the big thrill to come when 
we would actually go up, and looking 
from the side I caught a glimpse of 
telegraph wires and I knew we were 
already flying over the Land Company 
bridge. Then we crossed the river. To 
the right was Myrtle Hill cemetery. 
Then I saw Broad Street, and we went 
higher and higher, sailing toward East 
Rome at 100 miles per hour. What a 
sheer exquisite pleasure! I was actual- 
ly flying. It was delightful. I sat 
back, surprised that I wasn't fright- 
ened, my hands which at first held 
tensely to the sides of the car, were 
relaxed. I was flying higher and higher. 
A thing I had wanted for years had 
happened to me, and I was supremely 
glad. Thus I sat, musing and think- 
ing. I was up in an aeroplane. I had 
no knowledge of fear. The thing I 
had dreaded, getting sick, had not hap- 
pened. I never felt better. Then re- 
membering that I wanted to see more 
of Rome, I came out of my delirium of 
pleasure, and took a look over. 

"I saw a beautiful space of woodland, 



296 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



a wonderful panoramic view of the 
country beneath me, a stretch of moun- 
tain, blue and purple, whose top melt- 
ed into the low clouds of a damp Octo- 
ber morning. Yes, it was Rome, and 
how tiny everything was! I couldn't 
find out where we were, nor did I rec- 
ognize a single land mark. I knew 
by instinct it must be far out of the 
city, and later learned it was quite a 
distance east of the town. 'T'hen we 
circled around coming in the direction 
of Rome, but swinging far out toward 
West Rome. 

"It was nothing less than a beautiful 
canvas painting in tones of green and 
dull brown. Houses looked like minia- 
ture toys, straight, precise little rows 
of growing things on farm lands took 
on the aspect of a piece of striped silk, 
roof-tops of white, red and brown 
skirting the farm lands, nestled close 
to the trees, which were tiny green 
bushes. As I looked in wonder upon 
the town I knew so well, I laughed to 
think of a plane as strong and defiant 
as ours ever being caught or hung up 
on a tree-top like the little ones I saw. 
Then we crossed a river, and there was 
a great stretch of green velvet, much 
like a carpet. Presently I saw the 
George Stiles race track in West Rome, 
and growing directly in the center was 
a tree which looked larger than any I 
had seen. Around and around we flew, 
then back toward town over Shorter 
College, which looked like a set of 
child's playing bricks. Circling high- 
er, climbing up, up, up, the car be- 
came filled with steam. A fine spray 
of rain pelted my face and hands and 
the wind roared by my ears like 
thunder. I attributed the steam to 
some exhaust or defect of the engine, 
but looking down saw a fine white veil 
between plane and earth and knew we 
were in the clouds. The indicator reg- 
istered 2,000 feet. The clouds were 
damp, cold and refreshing, with 
flecks of yellow and brown rolling here 
and there in the white. 

"Presently I felt myself hanging en- 
tirely to the plane by the support of 
my belt. I learned later it had been 
a loop. Looking to the right I saw 
the great wings of the plane turn high- 
er and higher, and was told afterward 
we had done some king overs, which is 
a popular form of stunt. Above the 
city clock, which resembled a spool of 
brown thread, we came down in a 
spiral. I didn't know what particular 
feat we were performing, but felt the 
sensation one has when shot down to 
earth suddenly in a swift elevator. I 
did not look down as we did these 



stunts but kept my eye directly on the 
instruments in front of me. I had 
previously been told this would pre- 
vent the possibility of any sickness. 

"We came around to West Rome 
again. This time we were nearer 
Shorter College. The girls outside were 
taking exercise. We could discern that 
plainly. They stopped to wave their 
hands as we sailed overhead. 

"Then I recognized the circus ring 
of the Coosa Golf course, and saw a 
tiny trough of water which I knew was 
the swimming pool. The club house 
seemed entirely concealed by a tiny 
bunch of green bushes. Then over the 
cemetery we flew. The cemetery seem- 
ed flat and scattered with broken 
china. The extreme summit, where 
stands the Confederate monument, re- 
sembled a nicely browned dough-nut. 
Then over the Etowah River, a narrow 
winding strip of brown ribbon, laid 
in green velvet. I saw the perfect Y 
where the two rivers form the Coosa. • 

"I was trying to place a certain queer- 
looking red brick house, and discovered 
it was the courthouse, and one inch 
away from it was Broad Street. None 
of the blocks in Rome appeared over 
one inch square. Around we circled 
again. The third time we came over 
Shorter we sailed at a low altitude. 
The girls were wearing white middies 
and blue bloomers; they looked up and 
shouted. We were closer than ever 
before. Then around again. This time 
above the fair grounds. Towers Field 
with its big white T could be seen 
nlainly. We were approaching from 
East Rome. We were getting lower 
and lower, and just like a huge bird 
with out-stretched wings we sailed 
down smoothly, without a bobble, land- 
ed in the upper end of the field, and 
like the same big bird, hopped along 
the field, until two of the mechanics 
who had signaled a safe landing ran 
up and swung themselves on the 
wings. The engine stopped and we 
were down. The taking ofl' and the 
landing, which I had always heard was 
most difficult, was the easiest, smooth- 
est part of the entire flight." 

Miss Bessie took part in a more in- 
teresting and thrilling episode Jan. 17, 
1920 — her flight from the state of sin- 
gle blessedness. Major Lawrence S. 
Churchill, U. S. A., aspired to be the 
pioneer in an airplane romance that 
would thrill Rome. He started in an 
airplane from Souther Field, Ameri- 
cus, with Lt. Perry W. Blackler as 
pilot. In an accompanying plane were 
Lieut. Wolfe, of the aforementioned 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



297 




ROME AS VIEWED FROM AN AIRPLANE. 

A daredevil aviator came buzzing over Rome in the spring of 1921. He was on his way to 
Texas and was willing to carry up a few passengers for the price of his gasoline. David A. 
Sparks flew and got some snaps. We see the Municipal Building, the business section. Myrtle 
Hill Cemetery (in center), the wings of the plane and Shorter College through them, and lastly, 
the beautiful Etowah. 



298 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



flight, and Sergeant Jones. The last- 
named pair landed at Towers Field, 
where they were received by City Com- 
missioner Ike May, with the keys of 
the city, and by a curious crowd. The 
other machine encountered unfavorable 
winds and was forced to land at King- 
ston, whence the remainder of the trip 
was made by Maj. Churchill in an au- 
tomobile. Lieut. Blackler flew the 
plane to Rome on Saturday morning 
of the wedding, and although the at- 
mospheric conditions were unfavorable, 
he thrilled the bride with a series of 
barrel rolls over her apartments at 
the home of Miss Camilla Fouche. Mr. 
Blackler was killed at Souther Field, 
Americus, May 10, 1920, when the 
wings of his German Fokker machine 
came off while he was executing one 
of these same aerial contortions. 



THE BOYS IN GRAY.— The recent 
story by Bessie Moore Churchill in the 
History Series on the Rome Light 
Guards in the Civil War was read by a 
good many people, but by none more 
appreciatively, perhaps, than Frank 
Stovall Roberts, a cousin of Judge Joel 
Branham, who wrote from Apartment 
312, "The Cordova," Washington, D. 

C, under date of January 7, 1921: 

"Thank you very much for the story 
of the Rome Light Guards. Many of 
the names given in the article are 
quite familiar to me. I knew many 
of them, a few having been my school- 
mates, though older than myself, back 
in 1855, 1856 and 1857. Geo. W. Fleet- 
wood was one of them who went to 
Mr. Stevens' school in these years. 

(Mr. Fleetwood died last fall in "Okla- 
homa and was buried in Myrtle Hill 
cemetery, Rome. — Editor). Virgil 

('Virge') Stewart was another. H. 

D. Cothran and "Coon" Mitchell also 
attended this school. 

"I do not recall Captain Magruder, 
who took the company to Virginia, but 
I remember, as a boy, Miss Florence 
Fouche, whom he married. I recall 
many members of that company: Mel- 
ville Dwinell, Geo. R. Lumpkin, Wil- 
liam ('Bill') Skidmore, Dr. J. M. Greg- 
ory (as memory serves, he married 
a sister of Mrs. Daniel S. Printup) ; 
R. D. DeJournett, F. M. Ezzell (he 
married Miss Lena Sherwood, of Ma- 
con, lived in Macon after the war and 
then went to Atlanta) ; A. R. Johnson, 
Chas. B. and George C. Norton, W. F. 
(Bill) Omberg (went to Mr. Stevens' 
school, and after the war lived in 
Louisville, Ky.) ; A. R. (Arch) Pem- 
berton, 'Zach' Hargrove, M. A. Ross, 



Geo. T. Stovall (my cousin) ; Henry A. 
Smith (he kept a book store before and 
after the war; I met him once early 
in the eighties) ; F. M. Stovall (my 
cousin, went from Athens to Virginia 
and joined the Light Guards) ; Chas. 
H. Smith ('Bill Arp'), Scott Hardin, 
and others. Clinton Hargro)ve was 
another one I knew. He was a friend 
of my half-brother, Wm. A. ('Bill') 
Roberts. 

"This story brings up memories of 
a handsome, gallant and brave lot of 
young men in Rome. I doubtless knew 
many more than are named, but nearly 
64 years have passed since I lived in 
Rome. 

"The Light Guards had their first 
taste of fighting at Firt Manassas, Va., 
July 21, 1861. The Eighth Georgia, 
under the gallant Francis Bartow, who 
was killed there, covered itself with 
glory and gave up many of its best 
members, including Charlie Norton, 
Geo. T. Stovall and 'Clint' Hargrove. 

"These recollections are very inter- 
esting, with a tinge of sadness to 
those who knew and were associated 
with these boys long ago. I daresay 
I am one of the very few of that day 
who are now living to recall them." 



Mr. Roberts was among the boys of 
Rome who sent their older brothers 
and cousins off to war with a shout 
and who stayed behind and helped their 
families care for still younger ones. — 
Jan. 12, 1921. 

* •* * 

A LETTER FROM THE FRONT. 
— James Madison Gartreli, younger 
brother of Gen. Lucius J. Gartreli and 
Capt. Henry A. Gartreli (of Rome), 
wrote Mrs. J. D. Thomas, then Miss 
Mary Fort, under date of April 21, 
1864, from Dalton. (Mr. Gartreli, it 
will be recalled, was an uncle of Henry 
W. Grady). 

"I hope in my next to be able to give 
the details of a grand battle which re- 
sulted in the overthrow of Sherman's 
and Thomas' armies which will tend to 
a speedy termination of this unholy, 
unwise and unpleasant war . . . You 
need have no fears as to the safety of 
Rome. Those sacred hills will never 
be polluted by the foul tread of the 
Yankee soldiery until our army is 
crushed, which to accomplish Sherman 
with his present force is quite inade- 
quate. 

"The little tobacco bag you gave me 
is now in daily use. I have quit chew- 
ing and learned to smoke a pipe. 



Anecdotes and'Reminiscences 



299 



"You say you were expecting Henry 
Gartrell in Macon on the 8th. I should 
like to hear from the gentleman. If 
he is as prompt in the discharge of his 
military duties as he is in answering 
letters, he must be a splendid soldier. 
I don't see how Forrest has succeeded 
so well without him!" 

J. M. Gartrell was killed a short time 
later at New Hope church, near At- 
lanta. 

Capt. Henry A. Gartrell wrote Mary 
Fort January 1, 1865, from Johnson's 
Island, Ohio, where he was a prisoner 
of war: 

"A happy new year to you. I was 
captured near Nashville on the morn- 
ing of the 17th ultimo. I was cut off, 
made a desperate effort to escape on 
the night of the 16th by running over 
the Federal pickets. At least 20 shots 
were fired at me fi"om not more than 20 
to 100 yards, but with the exception 
of a wound to my horse and a ball 
through my coat, they did no harm to 
me. I am going to write to Gen. For- 
rest in a day or two asking him to pro- 
cure a special change for me. 

"I employ my time reading and vis- 
iting my friends and acquaintances on 
this ice-bound island. Major Frintup 
is very well. He hasn't heard from 
homie in five months. I never saw a 
braver soldier than Dick Fort. He and 
Joe Stillwell could not be beaten the 
world over. I don't know whether any 
of my men were captured or not." — 
Sept. 16, 1921. 

=!: * * 

WHO ARE THEY?— The following 
letter has been handed us by Col. Stew- 
art, for publication. The name of the 
writer we suppress for obvious rea- 
sons. 

"Mr. Steward. 

"As you is the Mar- 
shal of this town I thoght I would tell 
you how I am treated. My husband is 
lying sick and one of my children 
to an yesterdy my cow dide, I had to 
come to town to git a little mele an 
when I was gone some boys from rome 
went huntin up the River and found 
my ducks an shot um — two of um dide 
this morning an one never come home 
yit and I ant got but one drake just by 
his self, a friend of mine said thay was 
three boys one boy was a big hi boy, 
and one was a little boy and one was a 
short thick set boy. if you can find 
out who was the boys tell them to pay 
me for the ducks as I have a mity hard 
time to git along. I ant mad much 
about it only I can't aford to loose my 



ducks after the cow dide and the fam- 
ily so sick, please hunt up the boys 
and tell them how it stands and how 
pore I am. Respectfully, 



Col. Stewart informs us he has 
"hunted up the boys," and knows who 
they are, and requests us to say that 
unless they fully remunerate this poor 
woman for the injury they have done 
her, he will give their names to the 
public next week. We hope a sense of 
justice will prompt them to do this, 
and that such a case may never hap- 
pen again in a thousand miles of Rome. 

"TAKEN IN AND DONE FOR."— 
A young gambler from an adjoining 
county, who had made up a game of 
"seven up," in Rome last week, and 
desired a secret room to play in, was 
admirably accommodated at the sug- 
gestion of our City Marshal, Col. Stew- 
art. The gamester expressed his want 
in the presence of Col. S., who is a bit 
of a wag and loves a practical joke 
as well as any one, and he gave a slight 
wink to the person enquired of, and 
at the same time handed him the key 
of the Calaboose. The contract was 
soon made for the use of a small office, 
of which the gentleman, at that time, 
had the control, takes the gamester 
and his friends to the Calaboose — 
opens the door — and just then hap- 
pens to think that he has no matches, 
and he requests the young novice to 
remain there until he can go and get 
them. This he consents to do, and they 
all step out and lock the door after 
them and leave him there to play sol- 
itaire in the dark, until next morning. 
We hope this game will prove to be a 
profitable one to the young man. — ■ 
Weekly Courier, Feb. 28, 1866. 
* * * 

"PARSON" WINN'S "HELPING 
HAND."— Rev. Genuluth Winn was 
an old settler who "rode the circuit" of 
the Methodist church in the Coosa 
Valley during the Indian days. 

Dr. Winn was noted for his aggres- 
siveness in practical business affairs 
as well as the work of the Lord. He 
came to Floyd County with the early 
inhabitants and either bought or drew 
by lottery large tracts of land in and 
around Cave Spring, and lived on one 
of them five miles south of Rome on 
the Cave Spring road, where he owned 
many slaves. He was exempt from 
miitary service and went among the 
Confederate sodiers exhorting them to 
express their divine faith by slaying 
Yankees. 



300 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



The following story is told of his 
response to a call for help from a 
brother of the Methodist persuasion: 

D. R. Mitchell, a pillar in the First 
Methodist church, then located at Sixth 
Avenue and East Second Street, had 
picked a hardy settler or two to run 
his ferries where the eccentric char- 
acter known to the Indians as the 
"Widow Fool" had run them some fif- 
teen years before, at the forks of the 
rivers of Rome. One day a ferry- 
man went to Colonel Mitchell with the 
story that the "strong-arm" men of a 
rival pioneer had seized the ferries 
and driven off the Mitchell men. The 
old Colonel grabbed his stout hickory 
stick, called to the ferryman to follow, 
and gathering up a number of his sup- 
porters, charged the invaders on the 
ferry boat. The fight proved fast and 
furious. Reinforcements, including a 
number of half-drunken Indians, hav- 
ing also reached the other side, the 
Mitchell crowd were about to be 
worsted, when along happened Rev. 
Genuluth Winn in a buggy drawn by 
a somewhat broken-down pony, want- 
ing to cross the river. 

Seeing Rev. Dr. Winn, Col. Mitchell 
yelled, "Help, Bro. Winn! If you never 
did anything for the Lord and D. R. 
Mitchell, do it now!" 

Dr. Winn sprang out of the buggy 
seized a long pole from the bank, and 
handled it so dexterously that in little 
more time than it takes to tell it he 
had knocked all of Colonel Mitchell's 
enemies, including the Indians, into 
the river, and Col. Mitchell had the 
ferry for keeps. 

* * * 

A SAILOR'S ODD "CRUISE."— A 
touching story is told of a lieutenant 
of the United States navy who lies 
buried in Myrtle Hill cemetery. Bayard 
E. Hand, a step-son of Col. Nicholas J. 
Bayard, had just graduated from the 
naval academy at Annapolis, Md., 
when he fell in love with a beautiful 
young lady of Virginia. His court- 
ship resulted in an early wedding 
and the honeymoon was spent in the 
Old Dominion. The budding young 
officer was on 30-day leave, at the ex- 
piration of which he bade his bride 
farewell and rejoined his ship, which 
immediately sailed for South America. 

While Lieut. Hand was on his trip, 
his wife came to visit Col. and Mrs. 
Bayard at Rome, anticipating that he 
would return ere long. The ship tied 
up at Wilmington, N. C, and the of- 
ficer hurried to Rome to rejoin his 
young wife. His second leave being 



up, he departed for Wilmington. In 
some manner he had contracted pneu- 
monia, and on July 16, 1855, he died 
at that city. Out of respect for the 
wishes of Col. and Mrs. Bayard, the 
Hands agreed that he should be buried 
in Myrtle Hill cemetery at Rome. Col. 
Bayard had his tombstone engraved 
with navy characters, and there he 
lay in peace several years. 

Soon came the Civil War, and in 
1864 a band of Sherman's men, read- 
ing that Lieut. Hand had been in the 
service of the United States, decided 
they would send him to a "better land." 
They dug up the coffin and expressed 
it to the National cemetery at Arling- 
ton, Va., across the Potomac River 
from Washington. This high-handed 
procedure did not suit the fiery Col. 
Bayard, who after the war went north 
and brought the body back to Rome at 
an expense to himself of $300. 

An appropriate line decorates the 
sailor's tomb: "The anchor of his soul 
was faith in Christ." 



REMINISCENCES OF 1886.— The 
late B. I. Hughes wrote in The Rome 
News of Dec. 10, 1920, as follows con- 
cerning the experience the First Na. 
tional Bank had in the flood of March- 
April, 1886: 

"At that time we had $55,000 in 
paper money in the vault, in $5,000 
packages, each package containing ten 
$500 packages. We opened the safe, 
and found that notwithstanding the 
water had seeped through two combina- 
tions, these packages were so covered 
with muck that you would not have 
known they contained money. We 
washed them off just as we would if 
they had been brick, and then the ques- 
tion was as to how we would treat the 
wet currency. 

"Finally, we hit upon the plan of 
building a big fire in the grate and 
setting in front of it, on a slant, a 
piece of glass, about three by four 
feet. The glass was soon hot and we 
opened up the packages and placed the 
separate bills on it. The space would 
take about the number of bills that 
were in each $500 package, and the 
heat of the glass and fire was suffi- 
cient to dry them out as rapidly as we 
could place them. 

"The result was that in less than an 
hour, we had dry currency that we 
could use, and as far as I can re- 
member, not a single dollar had to be 
sent to the treasury department. The 
year's business, as we have before 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



301 



stated, was perhaps the most prosper- 
ous that Rome ever saw. 

"Altogether, within a week's time, 
our business was running practically 
as smooth as before. Wasn't this a 
wonderful outcome for such condi- 
tions?" 



TO ARMS, ROMANS!— There may 
be more modern speakers than our 
friend Mrs. Beulah S. Moseley, but few 
can serve up an introduction better. 
It fell to Mrs. Moseley's lot to intro- 
duce Judge Max Meyerhardt to the 
League of Women Voters, (Mrs. An- 
nie Freeman Johnson, president) , and 
she said in effect the following: 

"I well remember an introduction 
which Judge Meyerhardt gave to Judge 
Branham at a meeting of the women 
of the Order of Eastern Star. 'Ladies,' 
he said, *we welcome you to our city 
with open arms, which is with me 
merely a figure of speech, but with 
my young companion Judge Branham 
is a matter of action.' 

"So I say to Judge Meyerhardt that 
the women voters welcome him in the 
same fashion. With me that is a fig- 
ure of speech, but with our lovely 

president, !" — Rome News, Dec. 

10, 1920. 

;I: ;}; ^; 

ANECDOTES OF MAJOR DENT. 
— Maj. Jno. H. Dent lived at Big Ce- 
dar Creek, Vann's Valley, two miles 
north of Cave Spring, and for quite a 
number of years contributed articles 
on farming and poultry to Northern 
agricultural journals and to Southern 
newspapers. Once upon a time, a 
Pennsylvania farmer, who had been 
reading the Major's wise rules for 
farming, visited Rome and took a hack 
down to Vann's Valley. The hackman 
stopped and announced that Maj. Dent 
lived up the hill in the two-story brick 
house. The traveler expressed some 
doubt that the Major resided there (for 
nothing out of the ordinary was grow- 
ing) , but he went to the door and 
knocked. 

"Is this Major Dent?" inquired the 
visitor. 

"Yes, sir." 

"Well, I came down from near Phila- 
delphia to see your chicken runs." 

"I'm sorry, sir, but I haven't got 
any chicken runs or chickens either." 

"But I've been reading your advice 
on chickens for several years." 

"Oh, I don't write for myself, but 
for the other fellow!" 



Walter D. Wellborn, formerly of 
New Orleans, now of Atlanta, and 
brother of M. B. Wellborn, relates how 
he visited his grandfather Dent many 
years ago as a boy. Young Walter 
wanted to go over and see Col. Benj. 
C. Yancey, a neighbor, and asked his 
grandfather if he didn't want to go too. 

"No, son," replied Maj. Dent. "I 
admire Col. Yancey very much, but he 
can talk a saint out of patience." 

Walter went over and met Col. Yan- 
cey, who was superintending the erec- 
tion of a barn. 

"How is your grandfather getting 
along, my boy?" asked the colonel. 

"He's doing all right, thank you." 

"Well, I am very fond of Major Dent, 
but he bores me to death; he could 
talk the wings off of an angel." 

:]■ * * 

PAT CONWAY AND THE 
"GOAT." — Patrick Conway, said to be 
residing in Texas, was a well-known 
and efficient tinner of Rome. In 1890 
he contracted to repair the stove in 
the hall of Cherokee Lodge No. 66 in 
the Masonic Temple, and also to fix the 
roof so the weather would not beat 
down upon the assembled brethren. He 
was due to start the job one morning, 
but decided he could mend the stove 
at night and, thus save time. Climbing 
the long stairway with a repair kit, 
he opened the lodge room door, when 
out dashed a white object like a streak 
of greased lightning, upsetting the 
stove and sending clinkers and soot 
all over the floor. The stovepipe must 
have hit Pat, for he emerged with some 
fine smudges of soot. It was not known 
which got to Broad Street first — the 
biped or the quadruped — but neither 
hit the stairs many times coming down. 
Pat lost his hat and didn't stop until 
he had reached a corner light, there 
to "review" himself. 

It is said Pat never went back for 
his tools, nor did he mount the roof 
to complete his undertaking. Asked 
why by a committee from the Lodge, 
he said, "Faith, I never bargained for 
to be chased out by the bloody goat! 
And now, begorra, he will nivver be 
caught again, and you will be foriver 
blamin' me!" 

The "goat" was a white bird dog 
left in the hall by a hunter member. 
* * * 

A RELIC OF LONG AGO.— Floyd 
County has a "show place," now some- 
what in a state of disrepair, that in 
some respects suggests Barnsley Gar- 



302 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



dens in the neighboring county of Bar- 
tow. On a ridge about a mile north 
of Silver Creek Station, Southern rail- 
way, near Lindale, is a residence built 
like they used to build them: cement 
walls two feet thick, rooms approxi- 
mately 50 feet square, including re- 
ception and ball rooms, and a barn 
in keeping with the rest. It was the 
property of Elmer E. Kirkland, of 
Schenectady, N. Y. Rumor had it that 
the mansion and the beautiful and ex- 
tensive grounds would be converted 
into a country club, but the place was 
recently acquired by Will Collins, de- 
veloper of Collinwood Park, East 
Rome's residence subdivision, and will 
probably be used for manufacturing 
purposes. 

* * * 

GEMS FROM "UNCLE STEVE." 
— Steve Eberhart, the slavery time dar- 
key whose gyrations ai-ound Confed- 
erate veterans' reunions with live 
chickens under his arm always stir up 
the ebullitions of guilty bystanders 
and others, yesterday submitted to an 
interview as he filled a place in the 
picket line at their meeting at the 
Carnegie Library. 

"Steve, how does your corporosity 
seem to segashuate?" 




"Fine as split silk," promptly re- 
turned Steve, who had borrowed that 
expression in Cedartown. 

"Well, Steve, do you suppose your 
opsonic index would coagulate should 
the Republican administration at 
Washington send down here and try 
to get you to accept an office?" 

"It mout, boss, but dere ain't no 
chance to git dis here Steve to 'cept 
no place wid dem folks." 

"Wouldn't you like to represent your 
country in the jungles of Africa?" 

"Lordy, boss, I's skeered enuf o' de 
varmints we have right here around 
Rome. And as fer dem cannibalists, 
you sholy don't ketch dis old nigger 
furnishin' de bones for none o' dat 
missionary stew. Naw, sir, I's bleeged 
to decline with profound deliberation. 
Dem 'publicans jes' want de nigger's 
vote. Steve Eberhart's a lily white 
Democrat, Steve is!"— Aug. 7, 1921. 



STEVE EBERHART, an old slave who was 
Henry Grady's valet in college at Athens 
and is now mascot of the Veterans. 



Steve Eberhart, the ancient Sene- 
gambian who dresses up in flags and 
feathers, mostly just before Confeder- 
ate reunion time, has written a card in 
which he pours out his libations of joy 
and gratitude to the "white folks" for 
their generosity in giving him enough 
money to attend the state meeting at 
Albany. 

Steve hopes the fountain of satis- 
faction may overflow for his friends 
and the wax tapers burn brightly on 
high, while he stews in the sacred unc- 
tion here below. — May 16, 1921. 

"I want to thank the good white 
people of Rome for sending me to 
Texas to the Old Soldiers' Reunion. 
I am thankful. I shall ever remain 
in my place, and be obedient to all the 
white people. I pray that the angels 
may guard the homes of all Rome, and 
the light of God shine upon them. I 
will now give you a rest until the re- 
union next year, if the Lord lets me 
live to see it. Your humble servant, 
Steve Eberhart."— 1920. 
* * * 

ONE WEEK A ROMAN.— Harry 
A. Etheridge, Atlanta lawyer, once 
said goodbye to Rome after a brief 
stay. His folks were living on the old 
Sequoyah "ranch" at Alpine, Chat- 
tooga County, when he finished his 
studies at the University of Virginia. 
He came home; no opportunity, and 
wise heads advised him to seek his for- 
tune in Rome. That was about 1891. 
He became connected with the law of- 
fice of Capt. Christopher Rowell and 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



303 



was doing a thriving business for one 
so young, until something happened, a 
week later. 

Mr. Etheridge's uncle, Wm. J. 
Northen, was governor at the time. He 
mentioned the connection to Capt. 
Rowell, who said, "That's fortunate; 
I should like to fill a judgeship va- 
cancy. You go to Atlanta and see 
what a high recommendation you can 
give me." 

The young lawyer agreed; went to 
see his uncle at the capitol in Atlanta, 
and presented Capt. Rowell's attain- 
ments with the eloquence of a com- 
mencement orator. He also shook 
hands with some Atlanta lawyer 
friends. The result was that Capt. 
Rowell did not land the judgeship, but 
Harry Etheridge landed in Atlanta, 
and has been there ever since. 

* * :(: 

TRIBUTE TO A PRINCE.— A 

young lawyer, a highly eligible bache- 
lor named Eli S. Shorter, Jr., son of 
the war-time Governor of Alabama, 
and nephew of Col. Alfred Shorter, 
came to Rome perhaps 50 years ago 
from Eufaula, Ala., to practise his 
profession. He was a tall, handsome, 
dashing fellow — a social lion as well 
as a clever barrister — and he became 
immensely popular. His acquaintance 
was wide geographically and many 
v/ere the invitations which the post- 
man brought to him from out of town, 
as well as from around the corner. 

One day he died of pneumonia, and 
thus were the hearts of his friends 
put to the test, nor did they waver. 
Three beautiful young women appear- 
ed in Rome from different points — 
Augusta, Macon, Athens; representa- 
tives of some of the state's leading 
families they were, nor were they of 
his kith and kin. All donned mourn- 
ing as preparations were made to 
send him home; all softened their 
grief through their tears; and one, 
more ingenious than her sorrowing sis- 
ters, lifted the lid of the coffin and 
put something in. It was a lock of 
her hair. 



A DISCORDANT NOTE AMONG 
THE METHODISTS. — Orthodoxy 
with religious sects was more studious- 
ly adhered to half a century ago than 
it is today. For instance, when the 
first Methodist Church was built at 
Sixth Avenue and East Second Street 
in 1850, the members generally gave 
vent to their religious fervor by shout- 
ing; some of them even became ex- 
hausted and rolled on the floor. Such 



a new-fangled device as a pipe organ 
was not to be tolerated, for was not 
the natural melody of the human voice 
sufficient unto the Lord? 

Little by little, however, a progres- 
sive spirit asserted itself, and arti- 
ficial notes were held by a faction of 
the brethren and sisters to be not only 
desirable, but necessary to a whole- 
some development of the soul. The 
progressives were led by a woman — 
Mrs. Wm. A. Fort, formerly Eudocia 
Hargrove, daughter of Zachariah B. 
Hargrove, one of the founders of 
Rome; the conservatives were led by 
Daniel R. Mitchell, himself one of 
Rome's founders, who named Rome, 
and a donor of the very land on which 
the church stood, and a liberal sub- 
scriber to the building fund. Colonel 
Mitchell invariably carried a heavy 
hickory walking cane and was accom- 
panied everywhere he went by a mon- 
grel dog whose elongevity and bench- 
leggedness would dub him in Germany 
a dachshund. For convenience in at- 
tending to his church duties, Col. 
Mitchell did not always sit with the 
family, but occupied the corner of a 
bench or pew in the extreme front of 
the edifice. Mrs. Fort sat dangerously 
close by, and on the occasion in ques- 
tion she had brought well wrapped in 
a shawl and unknown to Col. Mitchell 
a bulky object. 

As the choir lifted up their voices, 
Mrs. Fort jumped to her feet and be- 
gan playing vigorously on a melodeon, 
and singing "Hallelujah!" until the 
rafters rattled. Colonel Mitchell gave 
her a withering look, seized his walk- 
ing stick and stalked out of the church, 
closely followed by his dog and a num- 
ber of churchmen who shared his feel- 
ings. When the Forts and the Har- 
groves spoke to the Mitchell adherents 
again it was to announce (thank you!) 
that they had affiliated with the Pres- 
byterian Church, and when the Under- 
woods (born musicians) spoke, it was 
to declare they had gone to the Episco- 
pal. 

Time and a better understanding 
heal all such rifts among Christian 
brethren. Colonel Mitchell passed 
away in 1876 in Florida, and eight 
years later the "shouting" brothers 
and the "musical" brothers who were 
left put their shoulders to the wheel 
for a brand new church in a differ- 
ent neighborhood, with one of the best 
pipe organs that could be procured. 

The removal, writes Mrs. Naomi P. 
Bale, "caused much dissension and 
heartache among the membership. 



304 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A GROUP OF PICTURESQUE OLD HOMES OF ROME. 

1— "Terrace Hill." John H. Lumpkin (now Robt. L. Morris) home. 2— "Oak Hill.'' home 
of Miss Martha Berry. 3-"Alhambra." DeSoto P^'^. bu.lt by Ph.hpW. Hemphill^ *- 
"Nemophila," the Hoyt home, where Frank L. Stanton brought his bride ^5— A 5 Burney 
home. "^6— "Arcadia," Daniel S. Printup home, in North Rome. 7— "Woodlawn home of Dr 
A. C. Shamblin, built by Judge Jas. M. SpuUock, and once owned by Judge Max Meyerhardt. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



305 



Many had been led into the light about 
the old institution's sacred altars. 
There, too, had marriage vows been 
plighted, children consecrated by bap- 
tism to God; and from these dear por- 
tals loved ones had been borne, never 
to return. Is it any wonder that our 
hearts clung tenaciously to this old 
edifice?" 



A FAMOUS SCHOOL TEACHER. 
— Rome and Cave Spring used to boast 
a school teacher whose reputation for 
whipping obstreperous youths spread 
far beyond the borders of the state. 
In the days before the war it was left 
for Col. Simpson Fouche to apply doses 
of "hickory oil" — a dozen sharp licks 
in the palm of the hand with a ruler — 
but when Palemon J. King came along 
he outdid Col. Fouche at his best. 

Prof. King fought through the Civil 
War and made a fine soldier. He was 
brought up with straight-laced ideas 
about obedience and pure book learn- 
ing, and was always prepared to back 
up his words with force if need be. 
His military school was the Confeder- 
ate army, and his preparation was 
made at Hearn Academy at Cave 
Spring. 

Plenty of Romans remember Prof. 
King — "P. J.," as many preferred to 
call him. He was a powerfully-built 
man of six feet and 200 pounds, a kind- 
ly man, but one who insisted on hav- 
ing his way with the pupils placed 
under his charge. His hair was thin, 
but long and white, and he wore a full 
beard. His coat was a Prince Albert 
cut, always black; his trousers were 
black, and his shirt was stiff bosomed 
and white; his collar standing and his 
tie usually a loose bow with long free 
ends; and he wore a sort of gaiter on 
his feet, with broad toe, and thick 
soles, and elastic for stretching the up- 
pers over the foot, with straps to pull 
'em on. Like many of the people of 
the time, he blacked his own boots. 
He carried a white cotton handker- 
chief in his right-hand hip pocket or 
hid away in his coat-tails, and on oc- 
casion he wore specs that magnified 
small print for his eyes of blue. He 
had no time for the frivolities of the 
day, but religiously read from the 
Bible each niorning some helpful pas- 
sage to his young charges; and if he 
laughed it was usually after hours or 
on some jaunt when he could properly 
relax. His idea was to let them learn, 
and if they refused, then— take the 
"consequences." 

Several stories are told concerning 



the stern though just measures Prof. 
King pursued. One concerns Hal 
Wright, who later became a popular 
and leading member of the Rome bar. 
Hal was more or less of a wayward 
and good-for-nothing boy, as the ped- 
agogue viewed him. While going to 
school to Prof. King at Cave Spring, 
Hal broke one of the rules, but be- 
fore Prof. King could get to him with 
a hickory, he had run out of the build- 
ing and made good his escape. Prof. 
King followed, but the young imp of 
Satan had too much start to be over- 
hauled. From a safe distance Hal 
placed his thumb to his nose and wig- 
gled his fingers, but he did not go 
back to school next day. He went far, 
far away — to Texas, some folks say. 
Prof. King did not forget that super- 
latively contemptuous gesture or the 
infraction of discipline. 

In two years Hal decided to come 
home. His good mother, Mrs. Har- 
riet Wright, herself a teacher who had 
had experience with mischievous boys, 
laid the law down to him. "If you re- 
turn here, I'm going to put you in 
school again, so you won't be worry- 
ing the life out of me," she wrote. 
Hal was willing, only he was hoping 
deep in his heart that Prof. King had 
moved on. Prof. King hadn't. 

"Well, 'fesser, I'm back," announced 
Hal, with a grin. 

"All right, Hal, just take that front 
row desk and I'll lend you a blue back 
speller until you can provide yourself 
with a book. Here is a slate, too." 

Recess time came and Hal romped 
like a care-free kangaroo over the 
school greensward with his playmates, 
and splashed through the water cress 
as if nary a moccasin lay hidden there. 
Finally time came for school to let 
out for the day, and Hal started side- 
wise for the door. 

"Hold on, Hal, I want to speak with 
you," invited Px-of. King. 

Hal declined the invitation, for Prof. 
King had taken two giant strides to 
the blackboard, and had brought out 
from behind it with a savage swish 
a bundle of hickories with newspapers 
wrapped around the handles, and 
mean-looking and long. Hal grabbed 
his hat and jumped down the steps 
four at a time. Hal's legs had grown 
those two years, but so had the de- 
termination of Prof. King. The old 
war-horse ran so fast that his long 
coattails stood out straight behind and 
his whiskers parted perfectly in the 
middle and met again back of his neck. 
All the boys and all the gii'ls stood 



306 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



in awed silence, and most of them 
were pulling for Hal. 

Little Cedar Creek, three feet deep 
and fifteen feet wide, loomed ahead. 
"No time to hunt a foot-log:," reason- 
ed Hal, as he plunged in and came out 
dripping on the other side. 

"I've nearly got the young jack- 
anapes!" exclaimed Prof. King as he 
followed Hal's lead and lost one of his 
gaiters in the creek bottom's sand. 

Yes, gentle reader, Prof. King 
caught that boy; caught him under 
a weeping willow tree, but it wasn't 
a willow switch he tamed him with, 
and Hal wept copiously under the 
weeping willow. 

Several years elapsed and Prof. 
King hired a hall in the Masonic Tem- 
ple Annex at Rome, and set up his 
school. There was room for about 20 
boys, and some of them were the three 
Rounsaville brothers, Barry and Louis 
Wright, Wilson Hardy, Lindley Mc- 
Clure, Hugh Parks, Fred Hanson, 
Hamilton Yancey, Jr., Eddie Peters, 
Andrew Mitchell, Victor Smith, Harry 
Morris, Waldo Davis and Oscar Todd. 
It was the good year 1895, and all 
was well until Rob Rounsaville dan- 
gled a cork spider with rubber legs 
over the face of a boy in front. The 
boy jumped out of his seat and Prof. 
King caught sight of Rob's wonder- 
ful insect. 

"Come up here!" thundered Prof. 
King; "I'll teach you how to make 
light of my instruction, sir!" 

Prof. King reached for a ruler this 
time, to crack Rob across the knuckles, 
when George Rounsaville let loose an 
ink bottle from the rear of the room. 
The cork flew out of the bottle, and 
everybody got a little ink, but Prof. 
King received most of it, as the bottle 
hit him on the right temple where 
his hair had receded. Roy Rounsa- 
ville was about to hurl an arithmetic 
but the old gentleman had disappear- 
ed down the long hall, yelling "Po- 
lice!" as he went. The scholars took 
a recess; no use to hold school any 
more that day. As usual, the police 
were somewhere else, and it was ten 
or fifteen minutes before Prof. King 
could locate one, or swab most of the 
ink and blood from his face. By that 
time the Rounsaville boys had entirely 
disappeared. 

"I know where to find 'em," said 
Joe Sharp to Bill Jones. Sure enough, 
George and Rob and Roy were hid- 
ing under some bales of hay at the 
Rounsaville warehouse. The police- 



men told them to come to police court, 
and there some kind of justice was 
meted out — it matters not just how 
much. George left to join a circus 
and Rome quieted down. School really 
broke up. 

Not very long after this incident. 
Prof. King encountered another bit of 
bad luck, this time of a less deliber- 
ate character. He was getting his 
whiskers trimmed in a barber shop 
about where the Nixon Music House 
is located. A careless brick-mason 
working on the roof above let a brick 
fall through a sky-light and hit Prof. 
King on the head. Result: the barber 
lost the price of a perfectly good trim. 

In the spring of 1898, while the 
Spanish-American war was on, the 
King School was opened over the Cald- 
well Printing Company's present lo- 
cation on Third Avenue. A large 
brass dinner bell rung out of the front 
window by Prof. King announced that 
recess was over. The hallway stairs 
were long and carried the human voice 
in a sonorous volume into the profes- 
sor's sanctum and ears. This hap- 
pened often. The boys emitted cat 
calls and yells until the old man's 
life was miserable. After perpetrating 
a war-whoop or a bleating "Baa-a-a!" 
they would disappear around the near- 
by corner. Prof. King's chin would 
appear at the window, his whiskers 
quivering. The boys would come to 
the class room, next day in all the 
robes of perfect innocence. 

Across the street in "Poverty Hall" 
Rev. Hay Watson Smith, a Presbyte- 
rian minister, as well as a teacher, 
had started a select boys' school, and 
had taken some of the cream of the 
students away from Prof. King. One 
day the Smith School boys made use 
of Prof. King's hall ; likely as not 
they heaved some coal up the steps. 
Prof. King threw the dinner bell out 
the window at them, and was about 
to invade the Smith premises when 
Wilson Hardy and Barry Wright came 
across with an apology. 

A week after this Hugh Parks got 
a whipping for whistling in school, and 
when he whistled again. Prof. King 
choked him until he grew white in the 
face. Two chastisements in one day 
for one boy was not unusual. Many 
wore a double thickness of pants and 
an occasional book in the seat. 

That was one way, the old fashioned 
way, of learning, and they all learned 
to love the courage, the manhood and 
the ideals of Palemon J. King. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



307 



WHIGS IN FLOYD.— Floyd Coun- 
ty Whigs met Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1852, 
at the court house and elected dele- 
gates to their state convention, which 
convened Aug. 17 at Macon. The 
leading Whigs of the county follow, 
according to The Courier of July 29: 



A. N. Verdery 
J. H. Craven 
W. E. Alexander 
H. A. Gartrell 
Richard S. Zuber 
J. J. Yarbrough 
J. D. Ford 
Henry Harris 
Robt. O'Barr 
G. W. Shaw 
W. J. McCoy 
Wm. A. Choice 
A. G. Ware 
C. M. Bayless 
J. S. Ward 
G. M. T. Ware 
Jno. DeJournett 
Jno. C. Eve 
Dr. Geo. M. Battey 

A. B. Coulter 
Robt. Battey 
R. J. Mulkey 
S. W. Stafford 

B. T. Hawkins 
Henry A. Smith 
J. D. Dickerson 
O. Renaud 
Alfred Shorter 
J. W. Gear 

C. Attaway 
Jno. Harkins 
S. T. Sawrie 
C. W. Johnson 
F. M. Allen 

S. Allman 
Wm. Ketcham 
C. H. Morefield 



Jno. Hendricks 
T. J. Verdery 
Wm. H. White 
Robt. T. McCay 
Genuluth Winn 
T. J. Ti-eadaway 
Larkin Barnett 
C. L. Webb 
Joel Marable 
J. G. McKenzie 
Jos. Ford 
W. C. Hendricks 
Dr. H. B. Ransom 
P. Steward 
Wm. Adkins 
F. D. Locke 
M. W. Johnson 
A. M. Lazenby 
Willis Bobo 
Edmund Metts 
A. G. Pitner 
C. McCoy 

A. L. Patton 
Allen Griffin 
Wm. Clark 
T. M. Wood 

B. W. Ross 
J. R. Payne 
F. M. Cabot 

C. T. Cunningham 
S. G. Wells 

N. W. Lovell 
A. M. Sloan 
J. Berry 
I. Dave Ford 
L. R. Blakeman 
Thos. J. Perry. 



A DUEL ON BROAD.— It was sort 
of customary in the old days to shoot 
folks you didn't like. The original 
"Bill" Arp and "Bill" Johnson had 
been good friends up to about 1863. 
"Bill" Johnson had asked "Bill" Arp 
to look after his younger brother, Jeff 
Johnson, at the front in Virginia. Jeff 
had got down sick, and here was 
"Bill" Arp back in Rome on a fur- 
lough. The two "Bills" met out in 
the country somewhere and came to 
town in "Bill" Johnson's buggy. They 
went into a saloon next to the old 
Choice House or Central Hotel, where 
the Hotel Forrest now stands. After 
a few drinks, they fell to quarreling. 
"Bill" Johnson accused "Bill" Arp of 
neglecting his brother Jeff. 

Both of them may have been armed ; 
one account says "Bill" Johnson gave 



"Bill" Arp the choice of two of John- 
son's pistols. At any rate, they went 
outside, and "Bill" Johnson said, 
"Now, you walk across the street, and 
when you reach the sidewalk, you turn 
around and shoot, because I'm going 
to be shootin' at you!" 

"Bill" Arp was born in Bartow 
County and had lived nearly all his 
life in Chulio District of Floyd, and 
he was game to the core. 

"Bill" Johnson waited coolly at the 
near curb and "Bill" Arp strode brave- 
ly across. The firing started. As they 
shot, they advanced on each other. No 
cover was between, not even a trash 
box. L. P. Reynolds, of 216 North 
Fifth Avenue, Fourth Ward, an eye- 
witness, says when "Bill" Arp's pis- 
tol was empty, he rushed forward to 
strike "Bill" Johnson with the butt 
of it. This was not necessary. His 
antagonist was down and dying from 
several wounds, for Arp was a crack 
shot. "Bill" Johnson had counted at 
least once. He shot Arp in the chest 
or side and the bullet followed a rib 
to the back, lodged under the skin and 
was cut out. 

After the war Bill Arp and Jeff 
Johnson happened to find themselves 
crossing the Etowah River at Free- 
man's Ferry in the same batteau. Arp 
couldn't swim, and Johnson started 
rocking the boat. Arp shucked off his 
coat and started rocking until the 
water began coming over the side. 
"All right, Jeff," said Arp, "when 
she sinks I'm going to camp around 
your neck— I golly!" "Quit that. Bill; 
don't be a fool!" urged Johnson. Arp 
ceased rocking and they paddled the 
balance of the distance in peace. 

Bill Arp later moved to Clarendon, 
Ark, and went to farming again. Mr. 
Reynolds and Virgil A. Stewart say 
he fell off a wagon load of corn in 
1883 and was killed. Another account 
has it that he was traveling with a 
caravan of "prairie schooners," tied 
up at night, went to sleep under a 
wagon and had his neck broken when 
the mules, still hitched to the convey- 
ance, started off suddenly. There he 
lies, in the forks of the Military and 
Helena roads — the man who furnish- 
ed a noted name to Georgia. 
* * * 

AN INLAND VOYAGE.— We left 
Rome about daylight on a drizzly Fri- 
day morning on board the steamer Re- 
saca, of the White Star line. Captain 
George H. Magruder in command, with 
a full crew and the venerable Captain 
Frank J. Benjamin in the engine room, 



308 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



said Montgomery M. Folsom in The 
Rome Tribune about 1895. 

Sam Cosper was first mate and Hub 
Coulter second, and I was the lone 
passenger. I was weary and worn out, 
sick and disgusted, and I wanted to 
get as far from civilization as possi- 
ble with the means at my command. 

Some men would have started for 
darkest Africa, feeling as I did, but I 
decided to compromise on darkest Ala- 
bama, and I succeeded beyond my own 
expectations. 

We carried as cook and steward two 
of the most peculiar characters that 
it has ever been my fortune to run 
up with — Amy, a matronly negress of 
the old sort, ready to sympathize with 
all your sorrows and to offer you a 
cup of coffee or sassafras tea every 
time she saw the wrinkles deepen on 
your forehead, and Dick, a diminutive 
darkey who might have been anywhere 
from fifty to one hundred and fifty 
years of age, just as you chose to 
calculate. 

Dick was about five feet high, of a 
pale dun color, with a little goatee of 
scattered whiskers on his retreating 
chin and a short-stemmed black pipe 
of the rankest sort that the fiends of 
nicotine ever dreamed of in their wild- 
est vagaries stuck between his lips, 
the kindliest, most inoffensive and ob- 
liging darkey I ever laid my eyes upon. 
There was such an air of humility, 
without any fawning affectation, 
about him, such a desire to please and 
such an air of general obligingness 
about both Dick and Amy that we 
made friends on the spot, after Cap- 
tain Magruder had kindly placed them 
at my disposal. 

As for Captain George Magruder, 
the good Lord never created a more 
rcyal-hearted gentleman, and many 
were the legends and traditions that 
he recounted as we stood on the deck 
looking out over the broad expanse of 
rippling waters, all agleam with the 
shimmer of myriad stars, with the 
searchlight of the steamer wandering 
from shore to shore of the historic 
river. 

And then how delightful it was to 
creep up into the pilot house with Sam 
Cosper and listen to his rich fund of 
anecdotes and incidents and to hear 
his merry laugh ring out through the 
sombre silence above the throb, throb, 
throb of the engine and the swish of 
the parting waters. 

We had reached the ultima thule 
of our voyage, Lock 1, 300 miles be- 
low Rome, by water. Heaven only 



knows how far it was by land, for 
nobody ever traversed it, but we could 
feel a change in the air which indi- 
cated a marked difference in latitude, 
and, besides, there was a glint of green 
on the waving willows and a dash of 
crimson on the maples that showed 
that we had glided down nearer to 
meet the springtime. 

This was about noon on Saturday. 
The drifting clouds had passed away 
and the sun shone hazily on the shaggy 
mountain peaks that loomed up all 
around us, for we had reached the 
point where the wild Sand mountain 
range crosses the course of the Coosa, 
and below us for eighty miles the river 
rushes over rapids and plunges along 
through narrow gorges and dashes 
over cataracts, offering an insur- 
mountable barrier to further naviga- 
tion. 

The Federal government has ex- 
pended many thousands of dollars in 
the improvements at the three locks, 
where there is a fall of over twenty- 
five feet in the river within a few 
miles, and is still at work, as often 
as an appropriation can be secured, 
endeavoring to extend the navigable 
portion of the stream, still fai'ther 
southward. 

If that eighty miles between Lock 
3 and Wetumpka could be opened, 
Rome would have 1,200 miles of water- 
way through one of the most fertile 
sections of the south, taking in the 
granaries of the Coosa valley and the 
rich cotton fields along those alluvial 
bottoms, as well as the fine timber- 
lands of the mountain region below. 

But oh, how lonely is that out-of- 
the-way region, peopled only by the 
lumbermen and "hill billies," as the 
rural population is characterized by 
the steamboat men. I gazed on the 
lock-keeper's house, provided by the 
government, perched high on a swell- 
ing hill above the river, and wonder- 
ed how he managed to while away his 
leisure hours. 

You see, it is his duty to open the 
locks twice a day and see that they 
are in working order, whether any boat 
passes or not, and otherwise he has 
nothing to do. But there are plenty 
of buffalo perch in the river, and dur- 
ing the winter large flocks of wild 
geese and ducks, so that aside from 
the solitude of his surroundings, his 
situation is not an unpleasant one. 

Dinner was announced soon after we 
turned our faces homeward, and we 
sat down with a relish to a bountiful 
meal, which we enjoyed as only such 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



309 




WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE — AND BOATS. 

Note at the top the sea-going appearance of the good ship "Sequoyah", built by Troop 2 of 
the Boy Scouts in "Beaverslide" . Is it any wonder that Rome lads can swim, dive and sail? 
.sewhere are seen various boats and bathers, the Eagle Troop of Girl Scouts at the Carnegie 
Library, and boys engaged in games on Hamilton Field. Most of the pictures were taken Sept. 
5, 1921. 



310 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



voyagers are able after a breezy ride 
in 'the face of a stiff gale. 

Then began the toilsome journey up 
the river, w^hich is full of shoals and 
unusually low for the season, which 
necessitates the most careful naviga- 
tion to prevent the vessel sticking on 
the rocks or running her nose into a 
mud bank. Six miles an hour was the 
average speed, and I had an opportu- 
nity of viewing many points noted in 
the history of the country. 

There was Canoe Creek, coming in 
from the westward, which glides 
through the wildest portion of that 
mountain region, whose inhabitants 
are cut off from civilization amid the 
gloom,y forests of the mountain sides 
and the low green valleys, where they 
raise their little crops and look after 
their small flocks of half wild goats, 
razor back hogs and scrub cattle. 

Then there was Big Will's valley 
and Will's creek, lying between the 
Lookout and Sand Mountain regions, 
where thousands of acres of wheat 
lands lie green and glowing with the 
first touches of spring, and where 
once the Cherokees had one of their 
most important towns in the long ago. 

A little farther up is Greensport, 
consisting of a small country store and 
a shack of a sawmill to cut the tim- 
ber rafted down from the adjacent 
mountain slopes; and nearby, the old 
P'ederal road, which was opened by 
General Andrew Jackson during his 
campaigns against the Five Nations, 
especially the mighty Muscogees, 
crosses the river. 

As I gazed on the adjacent landings 
on either side of the river, memories 
of Talladega, Big Bend and Emucfau 
came up before me with all the ro- 
mance attached to those memorable 
days when "Old Hickory" broke the 
spirit of those dauntless warriors and 
haughty chieftains and laid waste 
their towns, destroyed their crops and 
forced them to make terms with the 
hated pale faces. 

Ever and anon we passed a ferry 
with its long wire stretched from shore 
to shore, and slack enough to permit 
the boat to pass over it without foul- 
ing, and the ferryman squatted in his 
flat craft, which was tied to the roots 
of some ancient tree on the shore. 

Then we would pass a group of "hill 
billies," male and female, in pictures- 
que garments huddled together on 
some overlooking bluff, in various at- 
titudes of listless interest, the girls 
giggling and gesticulating and the 
men smoking short pipes or whittling 



with long-bladed knives on some treas- 
urad scrap of white pine board which 
had been saved up for that special 
purpose. 

About the middle of the afternoon 
we reached the quaint old town of 
Gadsden, at one time one of the most 
important points in all that country, 
since it was in the center of the rich 
lands along the river and supplied a 
territory extending far down the river 
and far up into the hills on every 
hand. Prior to the war, a great deal 
of business was done at Gadsden, and 
as the only means of transportation 
was by the river, the traffic was very 
profitable to the steamboat owners. 

But the building of the Rome and 
Decatur and Cincinnati Southern rail- 
roads changed the face of things. At- 
talla has taken away much of the trade 
formerly enjoyed by Gadsden, and 
Birmingham and Chattanooga are get- 
ting the greater share of the business 
that formerly went to Rome, and 
steamboating is not very profitable 
these days. 

By the time we had taken on the 
cargo destined for Rome, twilight had 
fallen and we were just able to dis- 
cern a group of raftsmen signaling 
from the shore when we reached the 
ancient landing at Turkeytown. They 
were "hill billies" from away back, 
and a young lady who embarked at 
the same place had the dew of the 
mountain in her deep blue eyes, and 
the scent of sweet balsam on her 
clothes, so that I knew she had come 
down from some homestead, old and 
gray, in the neighborhood of the House 
of Rocks. 

This curious place is located on the 
crest of one of the spurs of Dirtseller 
mountain, just above a circular val- 
ley through which flows Yellow Creek, 
a far-famed fishing stream. It covers 
several acres, and the towering bould- 
ers are scattered around with turrets 
and pinnacles, and regular streets and 
alleys between, and looks like a de- 
serted pueblo that had been inhabited 
by a race of giants. 

Near Turkeytown, on a beautiful 
bluff crowned wieh groves of wild 
cedar, is the site of the old Moravian 
mission that was located there more 
than a hundred years ago. The rock 
work of an ancient landing place on 
the river is still to be seen, but why it 
was built in such a substantial man- 
ner is hard to imagine, as that was 
before the days of steamboats, and be- 
fore Rome or Gadsden, Birmingham 
or Chattanooga had been located. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



311 



There is a legend that those Moravian 
missionaries learned the secret of the 
Raccoon Creek silver mines from the 
Indians, and that they took out a 
great deal of ore in the olden days. 
But they have passed away and few^ 
memorials of their existence remain, 
and the location of the silver mines 
has passed from the knowledge of 
men for lo these many years. 

From that point up, the river in- 
dulges in a series of remarkable bends, 
now trending away to the southward 
in a mighty curve; now rushing back 
to the northward in the same eccentric 
manner; and in every fold of its 
mighty sinuosities lie bodies of fertile 
lands, on which wheat, corn, cotton 
and other crops are grown. 

The amount of chickens and eggs 
shipped to Rome from this section is 
enormous and almost incredible. We 
took on several hundred dozen at va- 
rious landings during the night, and 
when morning dawned the bow of the 
Resaca looked like a large incubator. 

As we glided along the river I asked 
Captain Benjamin if he did not con- 
sider it very crooked, as it is only fifty 
miles from Rome to Gadsden by land 
and 165 by river. 

"Well," said he, "it bends and twists 
around pretty smartly, but it is noth- 
ing to a river on which I boated in 
my younger days. It was so crooked 
that sometimes we would have to shut 
off steam and let her drift because of 
the danger of fouling the rudder in the 
forechains at the bow of the boat." 
Then I went forward and looked out 
over the water and meditated. 

Before we reached Round mountain 
I had retired to my berth, leaving the 
forward cabin in full possession of the 
"hill billies," who were piled and cross- 
ed on the floor enjoying a much needed 
rest. One of them slept with a fid- 
dle under his arm, and I heard Cap- 
tain Magi'uder miaking very emphatic 
remarks as he picked his way through 
the throng, and then I fell asleep. 

Along about midnight I was awak- 
ened by the wailing blast of the whis- 
tle announcing the approach to some 
landing, and just as I opened my eyes 
I heard an old familiar strain from 
the front cabin: 

"Oh, hop light, ladies, yer cake's all 

dough ; 
Hop light, ladies, yer cake's all dough; 
Oh, hop light, ladies, yer cake's all 

dough ; 
Ye needn't mind the weather so the 

wind don't blow!" 



The fiddler had roused up and was 
regaling us with his choicest music, 
and it sounded so much like old times 
that I was real sorry when I heard the 
sound of his fiddle growing fainter 
and fainter as he left the boat at the 
landing and disappeared in the dark- 
ness. 

FOLSOM'S FAREWELL TO 
ROME. — Montgomery M. Folsom, one 
of Georgia's accomplished journalists, 
is believed to have lived about five 
years in Rome, in which time he was 
employed as a member of the staff of 
The 'Tribune. He wrote much verse 
and many editorials, as well as the 
squibs in the day's news. He was a 
prominent member of Cherokee Lodge 
66 of Masons, and for a time lived at 
the Catholic parsonage on East First 
Street, between Fourth and Fifth Ave- 
nues. He is known to have been on 
The Tribune Nov. 20, 1892; on Nov. 
15, 1896, he was still there. It is be- 
lieved he left in 1897 or 1898. His 
path led to Atlanta, where he contrib- 
uted for some years to the Atlanta 
Journal and the Atlanta Constitution 
before his deah. His lyrical valedictory 
to Romans follows : 

"And now a few words at parting, 
for the day is drawing nigh when I 
shall turn my face toward other scenes 
than these that have become endeared 
to me through many trials and 
triumphs. Let us sit down and have 
a plain, old timey talk. You all know 
how near to my heart I hold you. That 
includes all. I make no reservation. 
I came among you without a friend. 
I want to go away without an enemy. 
If there be any of you who feel that 
I have wrongfully used you, I ask 
your forgiveness. All of you whom 
I feel have misjudged me I forgive 
freely. I love Rome and the welfare 
of her people above all petty person- 
alities. 

"Time will efface all the scars. In 
the golden glory of the beautiful years 
to come I shall look back vnth pride 
and gratitude that I was once a citi- 
zen of Rome. I trust that the Great 
Ruler of the universe will strengthen 
and sustain me so that you may never 
have cause to deplore the confidence 
which you have so generously reposed 
in me. Your faults are so infinitesi- 
mal that they are lost to sight in the 
contemplation of your virtues. You 
are an ambitious and a high-spirited 
people, and fair as the dawn is the 
horoscope of your future destiny. 

"I utter this prediction, and I do it 



312 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



without flattery, that the day will 
come when yours will be one of the 
fairest cities in all the Southland. I 
have traveled much and during my 
checkered career I have come in con- 
tact with many people. I have never 
seen the superiors of the good people 
of Rome and there are more genuine 
good people and fewer sorry ones to 
the size of the place than I have ever 
found anywhere. Your men would 
hold their own in any community and 
your women would adorn the highest 
circles in any sphere. 

"When I speak of the women of 
Rome, a great flood of chivalrous ten- 
derness sweeps over my soul. I have 
watched them in their works and ways. 
I have seen their generous kindliness 
and their deeds of daring, their pa- 
tience and perseverance, and, above 
all, the ideals of moral and spiritual 
elevation after which their daily lives 
are patterned. Verily, the prediction 
of the future achievement of the race 
is well assured with such an exalted 
motherhood. These are not idle words, 
but the freely rendered homage of one 
who claims to be able to appreciate 
the splendor of their glorious exem- 
plification of true womanliness. 

"Oh, I have had a good time in 
Rome. I have had some troubles, but 
I am going to forget them. When I 
think of the innumerable blessings that 
I have enjoyed during my stay here, 
the ills are already forgotten. My 
memory is very defective in regard to 
troubles, anyway. It is so much pleas- 
anter to remember the things that I 
have enjoyed. Recalling sorrows gives 
people mental indigestion and sourness 
of the intellect. Life is so short that 
we ought to keep the flowers bloom- 
ing inside when the frost nips them 
outside, and pluck up and cast out the 
weeds as fast as they appear. 

"And your preachers. Now, you 
have caught me. I confess to being 
a jolly old pagan, for I have not been 
to preaching often. I have not heard 
them preach. But you forget one 
thing. I have felt them preach. I 
have seen them day and night in the 
highways and byways, in the privacy 
of the home and in public places, and 
what I have lacked in hearing I have 
absorbed through the pores of my 
heart, which I never allow to become 
clogged to the prevention of that re- 
ceptivity of good influences which 
keeps the trembling needle of con- 
science pointing steadily to the pole 
star of God. 

"Oh, you are a good people, a great 
people, destined to be a gi-ander still, 



in the beautiful years to come. Call 
me an idle dreamer, an optimist, if 
you please. The sons of these gra- 
cious mothers shall yet inherit a richer 
legacy than falls to the share of many 
of the sons of men. They will inherit 
that faith and fortitude, that fidelity 
to duty and perseverance in the paths 
of progress that are so characteristic 
of those whose white hands are sus- 
taining their white souls in the uprear- 
ing of a fabric that shall stand till 
time shall be no more! 

"Go on in your ways of energetic 
development. Give free rein to every 
noble aim and aspiration. You can- 
not place your ideals too high. Better 
that you should never reach them than 
that you should set them so low that 
when attained you would be mortified 
to realize that they were so ignoble 
as not to be worth the toil and trou- 
ble. I am following out my own des- 
tiny. My life is in the hands of God. 
All that I ask is that He will 
strengthen and sustain me in my ef- 
forts until my life work is ended this 
side the river. 

"I am sorry that I shall not be the 
first to discover the fringe of green 
on the grim old willows on the banks 
of the Etowah. Think of me when you 
hear the wild birds singing among 
their budding boughs. Remember me 
for the good that I desired to do, and 
not for the mistakes I made, for they 
are many. But you will do that. You 
are all too generous to treasure ill 
feelings and too high-spirited to be 
mean and malicious. We know each 
other, you and I. But here the roads 
fork. I must be going. So must you. 
And now God be with you till we meet 
again 



I" 



"LORD BERESFORD'S" ADVEN- 
TURES.— The period of 1890-1900 was 
marked by the decline of the steamboat 
business, due to increased competition 
from the railroads, and the appear- 
ance of the plausible "Lord Beres- 
ford." known in real life by the name 
of Sidney Lascelles.* 

"Lord Beresford" was "discovered" 
in New York City about 1893 by a 
young Roman named McGuire. He 
was living in style and to all appear- 
ances was a polished gentleman and 
everything else he claimed to be, in- 
cluding his descendancy from Lord 
Beresford, the English nobleman. Ac- 
cording to his story, he was looking 

*One of the Lascelles family in 1922 married 
Princess Mary, daughter of King George V., of 
London. Eng. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



313 




FOUR BUILDERS. 

Left to right, J. K. 
Williamson, a member of 
the Rome City Council in 
1889; Col. D. B. Hamil- 
ton, for many years pres- 
ident of the Board of 
Trustees of Shorter Col- 
lege and the Board of 
of the University of 



•Vf^JKV. 



Georgia ; Foster Harper, 
of the well-known family 
from Cave Spring; at bot- 
tom. Rev. A. J. Battle, 
president of Shorter Col- 
lege in the nineties and a 
minister of the gospel who 
occasionally filled the pul- 
pit of the First Baptist 
church. 



for an opportunity to invest $1,000,- 
000. Mr. McGuire told him he knew 
where such an opportunity reposed — 
at Rome, Ga. 

"Lord Beresford" may or may not 
have had the price of a railroad ticket 
to Rome; he got to Rome nevertheless, 
and was immediately taken in tow by 
the proprietors of the Etna Iron 
Works. This concern's properties were 
given in for taxation at about $30,000, 
but out of consideration of the plight 
of such an exceptional stranger, he 
might have half of the stock of the 
concern for $500,000. After negotiat- 
ing for a week, during which time he 
expressed complete satisfaction over 
his contemplated trade, "Lord Beres- 
ford" stated that he would need a bit 
of "change" to complete his arrange- 
ments. He proposed to give his per- 
sonal check on a London bank for 
something like $2,000; the Etna inter- 
ests accepted the check and financed 
it through the First National Bank of 
Rome. 

Long before the check could reach 
the astonished officials of the London 
institution with which no such indi- 
vidual had an account, "Lord Beres- 
ford" had bought a ticket back to New 
York without saving goodbye to his 



hosts, and he carried with him a dia- 
mond ring loaned by a young woman 
friend of short acquaintance. 

J. W. Lancaster, local photographer 
who had at one time or another snap- 
ped nearly every family group in the 
Hill City, was kept busy several days 
making copies of photographs of "Lord 
Beresford" for detective agencies and 
police stations throughout the coun- 
try. Eventually the culprit was ap- 
prehended in New York, and Deputy 
Sheriff Dallas Turner went up and 
brought him back. On the train re- 
turning was a Roman who engaged in 
conversation with His Highness, and 
was so deeply impressed with his phil- 
anthropic pretensions that he declared 
to his fellow townsman that nothing 
but good could emanate from this man. 
Indeed, "Lord Beresford" had friends 
whose sympathies were so thoroughly 
touched that they sent flowers to his 
cell in the Floyd County jail and sup- 
plied him with every toothsome viand 
and literary morsel the heart could 
wish. The steady stream of visitors 
taxed the patience of the sheriff and 
jailor, Jake C. Moore; those stories of 
the castle in England and of princes 
and princesses, taken with the laven- 
der in his silk handkerchief and his 



314 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



exquisite get-up in general, proved ir- 
resistible. 

"Lord Beresford" appeared to have 
been looking for money rather than for 
an opportunity to spend his own. His 
note book was full of the names and 
addresses of persons he had met here 
and there, so he dropped them a line 
explaining the horrible misapprehen- 
sion which had led to his temporary 
detainment. One of his former travel- 
ing companions was the late George 
Selden, head of the Erie City Iron 
Works, of Ei'ie, Pa., an uncle of the 
late George D. Selden, until his death 
recently also head of that concern, and 
well known to older Romans through 
business deals at Rome. Mr. Selden 
wrote a friend to advance "Lord Beres- 
ford" a reasonable amount of money. 
The erudite friend visited the jail, 
heard from the lips of Sheriff Moore 
that "Lord Beresford" did not need 
any additional physical comforts and 
was an unconscionable scoundrel, and 
wrote back to Mr. Selden these im- 
pressions. It was learned later that 
Mr. Selden sent him $200 or $300 
through another individual. 

The prisoner had married a wealthy 
woman in New York, through whose 
influence with Atlanta friends and rel- 
atives he was freed on bond. While 
awaiting trial, he opened a bicycle 
shop on the ground floor of the Arm- 
strong Hotel ; the bicycle craze was 
at its height, and he sold a lot of 
bicycles in Rome and elsewhere, and 
probably made part payments on some 
of them. He gave a Rome boy a nice 
bicycle and touched his "daddy" for 
a loan of $600. He always said he 
would explain the whole affair at the 
proper time, but when the time came, 
his excuses were too flimsy; a jury 
found him guilty of cheating and 
swindling, and Judge Jno. W. Maddox 
sentenced him to two years in the pen- 
itentiary, or similar term. He was 
represented by Attorney Linton A, 
Dean, and prosecuted by Solicitor Gen- 
eral Cicero T. Clements. He served 
part of his sentence in a lumber camp 
as time keeper and sort of secretary of 
the gang; and it was said he was so 
smooth that he would soon have own- 
ed the "works" had he not decided to 
depart and breath the air of freedom. 
He was captured near Americus and 
put back again, and finally his sen- 
tence ended. 

During his confinement he enjoyed 
considerable leisure, as before, and 
wrote a humorous paper on his ex- 
periences, which he published in pam- 
phlet form at perhaps 25 cents a copy. 



and which his friends bought eagerly 
to see what he had to say about Rome. 
From the memory of one who read a 
copy the following is quoted: 

"I was much impressed by the 
thoughtfulness of my host and hostess, 
and also occasionally amused. The 
good lady inquired of me, 'Milord, at 
what hour would it suit Your High- 
ness to breakfast?' 

"Midam, at 11 o'clock," I replied. 

"She had thoughtfully instructed 
the colored butler to observe the royal 
etiquette and to follow the royal form, 
and so he said to me at table: 

" 'Won't you have some buckwheat 
cakes. My God?' 

"I had exceeding difficulty repress- 
ing a smile." 

"Lord Beresbord's" wife received ev- 
idence of his pranks with other wom- 
en and quit him; presently he turned 
up in Fitzgerald and married another 
with money, and when she died shortly 
afterward he got about $40,000 of her 
funds. Everywhere he went he left in 
his wage a string of shady transac- 
tions. His real name and defalcations 
bobbed up in New York; he went west 
and got into another peck of trouble, 
and finally succumibed to consumption 
at Asheville, N. C, about 1898. 

The confidence which certain friends 
had in "Lord Beresford's" good inten- 
tions was expressed in the following 
incident: After he had made bond 
and entered the bicycle business, the 
Merchants' Association had occasion 
to hold a meeting and elect a delegate 
to a convention in a far-off city. 
Somebody seriously nominated "Lord 
Beresford," and it appeared that he 
might have no opposition until a mem- 
ber arose and declared if Beresford 
went, he would resign. This bomb- 
shell broke up the plan, and another 
delegate was chosen. 

* * * 

HAIR FOR THE HAIRLESS.— 
In the year 1895 a fraud was discov- 
ered that outdid "wooden nutmegs." A 
salesman appeared who guaranteed 
that in a month or two he could grow 
hair on the baldest head. He showed 
a photograph of his own shiny dome 
"before using;" and, quoth he, "just 
look at me now!" 

Sure enough, the picture was a hope- 
less sight; only a lonesome fringe hung 
around his ears; while on his head as 
he stood before the prospective "vic- 
tim" was as fine a growth of hair 
as could be found. For $25 he would 
warrant a "cure" to anybody, no mat- 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



315 



ter how everything else had failed; 
only $10 was to be paid on receipt of 
a large bottle of "hair restorer," and 
the balance was due after the hair 
appeared in luxuriance. 

Quite a number of leading Romans 
who had almost given up hope added 
tc the man's worldly store; but along 
came one noted for his sagacity and 
ability to detect fakes, and said: 

"Stranger, you can't sell anybody in 
this store. The day of miracles is 
past. It looks to me like you shaved 
your head for that picture, and the 
photographer made you a sleek dome 
instead of one covered with fine stub- 
ble. Get out of here!" 



ROME SUBMERGED: A REAL 
FRESHET.— When a town is built 
upon a hill, it must encounter high 
winds, and when it is built on a river, 
it must combat high water. Rome has 
hills on all sides, but the heart of Rome 
is between two rivers at their junc- 
tion, and when the high waters come, 
Romans move upstairs and paddle 
about as best they can until the reces- 
sion sets in. 

At the Azores Islands the natives 
are constantly battling plagues which 
take their fruits and other crops. Now 
and then a volcano spews forth its hot 
lava and covers a town; but the na- 
tives never give up, and neither do 
the Romans lose heart when the Eto- 
wah and the Oostanaula occasionally 
break out of bank and race through 
front yards. For that matter, pre- 
ventive measures have been taken 
which gi'eatly lessen the inconven- 
iences; Broad Street has been raised 
a maximum of eight feet over its for- 
mer level, and every possible approach 
to it has been elevated corresponding- 
ly. Perhaps once a year, as in most 
river towns, a little water goes in store 
basements, so that shifting of "cargo" 
to an upper "deck" is necessary; the 
rabbits are all driven out of the low 
grounds, and the rabbit hunters have 
a picnic for two or three days. Event- 
ually all the inconvenience will no 
doubt disappear, for the town is grow- 
ing in the direction of hills which 
tower high above any possible rise; 
and it has even been suggested that 
some 100 acres at the forks be left 
clear of buildings in the distant fu- 
ture and converted into a park. Some 
people think there is no further dan- 
ger of a serious flood, while others 
claim that the backage from the Mayo 
Bar Lock (lock and dam), eight miles 
down the Coosa, has raised the nor- 



mal level of the water two or three 
feet at Rome above the old level. 

Suggests Something to TImik About. 
— Things used to be different. There 
is a legend which says citizens once 
hitched their canoes on Tower Hill 
above the old court house. This yarn 
related to the time the Indians were 
still around here, and it sounds like 
Virgil A. Stewart after a feast of ice 
cream and catfish. Old settlers tell 
of a freshet in 1881 which broke 
through the banks at Foster's Bend, 
Coosa River, some 16 miles below 
Rome, and washed clear a lot of In- 
dian relics in a mound on the Foster 
(Moultrie) farm, so that Wesley O. 
Connor went over from Cave Spring 
and got a lot of valuable specimens. 

Prof. Connor took a one-horse wagon 
to the same place after the freshet of 
1886, and carried it home well filled ; 
he got mortars and pestles, toma- 
hawks, wampum, spear heads, peace 
pipes, pottery, Indian money and at 
least a bushel of arrow heads, and also 
several skulls of warriors bold. 

The rain appears to have begun 
falling Monday, March 29, 1886. It 
kept up in a deluge for several days, 
until the waters were at flood stage 
on Wednesday, March 31, and worse 
on Thursday. Rome was not the only 
sufferer. The South suffered, from 
Virginia to Texas. The towns in the 
hills did not escape. A number of 
lives were lost, but none definitely at 
Rome. Atlanta's waterworks plant 
and pumping station were seriously 
crippled and many of her streets made 
impassable. 

The Rome correspondent of the At- 
lanta Constitution sent messages by 
wire to his paper as long as the wa- 
ter remained below the operator's 
transmitter. Then he went out to get 
a ham sandwich by canoe and left the 
field to the late Edward C. Bruffey, 
v^^ho was admirably qualified to paddle 
through it. "Bruff" tells all about it 
in the last three dispatches quoted be- 
low. The items are all from The Con- 
stitution and the dates of dispatching 
and of printing are affixed at the 
opening and closing of each article, 
respectively: 

Rome Drenched. — Rome, Ga., March 
29, 1886.— (Special.)— The heavy 
rains have swelled the creeks and 
rivers, and there is great danger of 
freshets. Advices from the headwaters 
of the Oostanaula report heavy rains. 
—Tuesday, March 30, 1886. 



316 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Rome Submerged. — Rome, Ga.. Mar. 
30. — (Special.) — Rome is threatened 
with the greatest freshet in her his- 
tory. Since Friday night it is estimat- 
ed there has been a rainfall of more 
than six inches, nearly two inches more 
than preceded the great freshet of 
1881. Worst of all, the end is not 
yet. The rain still continues, and at 
noon is pouring in torrents. The old- 
est inhabitants shake their heads 
gloomily and are despondent. 

The Oostanaula River is rising 
eight inches an hour, and the Coosa 
and the Etowah are making terrible 
headway. The water has just reach- 
ed Broad Street and will be two or 
three feet from the Rome Hotel to 
Norton's corner. At the foot of How- 
ard Street (Second Avenue) and in the 
Fourth Ward it will be deeper. 

Early this morning the middle sec- 
tion of the new bridge of the Rome 
and Carrollton Railway washed away 
and is now lodged against the piers 
of the Broad Street bridge. Great 
fears are entertained for the latter 
bridge, and men are at work trying 
to remove the debris. 

Broad Street this afternoon presents 
a busy scene. Merchants are remov- 
ing goods from their stores and tak- 
ing every possible precaution against 
the flood. Being thoroughly fore- 
warned, there will be no damage to 
the merchandise. At the foot of How- 
ard Street the residents are moving 
from one-story houses, and those resid- 
ing in two-story buildings are moving 
upstairs. 

The Superior Court, which has been 
in session, adjourned until Monday. 

Our railroad communication is en- 
tirely cut off, no mail having been re- 
ceived or dispatched today. 

At this hour, 8:30 p. m., Broad 
Street from Norton's corner to the 
bridge is one sheet of water from two 
to four feet deep. Every leading bus- 
iness house, except for a few between 
Norton's and the Central Hotel, is sub- 
merged. The cotton warehouse, water 
works, gas house, and a large number 
of private dwellings are under water. 
The flood is now within a few inches 
of that of 1881, which was the highest 
ever known in Rome, and the rivers 
are still rising eight inches an hour. 
It is raining in torrents. We do not 
know what tomorrow will bring forth. 
Intense excitement prevails and 
groups of people are on that part of 
Broad Street that is still dry. It is 
feared that many merchants have not 
raised their goods high enough, though 



all have raised them four or five feet 
above the high water mark of 1881. 
No loss of life is yet reported. The 
streets are in darkness. Thus far 
there is little damage except to the 
railroads. 

Nine O'clock P. M. — The rivers are 
still rising. The water is nearly at 
the top of the tables in the Western 
Union office here, and communication 
can be held but a few minutes longer. 
The operator is telegraphing while 
standing on his table and momentarily 
looks for a break. Your correspond- 
ent has just returned from — (At this 
point the wires refused to work, and 
communication between Rome and At- 
lanta ended for the night. — Editors 
Constitution. — Wednesday, March 31, 
1886. 

The Delayed Wedding. — Mr. Geo. 
N. West, of Carrollton, who came 
to Atlanta two evenings ago, intend- 
ing to go on through to Rome, where 
he was to have been married yester- 
day at 1 o'clock to Miss Mary Lou 
Colclough, is still in the city. He 
could get no word to Rome, and the 
people there have no idea where he 
is. Nor does he know anything about 
the people in Rome, except the fact 
that the horrte at which he was to 
have been married is more than ten 
feet under water. — Thursday, April 1, 
1886. 



Rome Absolutely Cut Off- — The 
Constitution made every endeavor 
to reach Rome yesterday by wire, 
but without success. The Rome 
and Carrollton Railway is almost 
washed away, and the Rome and King- 
ston road is in almost as bad a fix. 
The East Tennessee does not know 
when it can again reach Rome. This 
absolutely cuts the city off from the 
world. At last accounts it was ten 
feet under water in some places, and 
the water was still rising. The coun- 
ty is water-bound by the flooded creeks 
and the bridges of its public roads are 
gone. It is possible that something 
will be heard from the city today. 

There have been filed at the West- 
ern Union office in Atlanta over 200 
messages from individuals in this city 
to those in Rome, and all still hang on 
the hook of the telegraph office in this 
city, or have been returned. As it is. 
The Constitution's message of Tues- 
day night is the last from Rome. — 
Thursday, April 1, 1886. 



An Olive Leaf From, the Flooded 
Hill City. — Rome has been heard from 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



317 






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318 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



at last, but the news is only that 
up to Wednesday night. What 
is known of the condition of the 
city comes from an extra edition of 
the Rome Bulletin, printed yesterday 
and brought to The Constitution by 
Capt. Sanford Bell, of the Western & 
Atlantic Road. It was printed yes- 
terday (Friday) on a little 8xl2-inch 
hand press, and a copy was carried 
from Rome to Kingston by somebody 
who succeeded in getting through the 
country. Here it fell into Capt. Bell's 
hands. Extracts from it follow: 

"On Tuesday morning a bulletin 
board was placed in front of The Bul- 
letin office. We put up a bulletin: 
'Move your goods 12 inches higher 
than the mark of 1881.' 

"We moved everything up except 
our heavy presses, and took out a large 
sized Liberty press to Dr. P. L. Turn- 
ley's drug store, where this issue was 
printed. The editor tried long to get 
a boat, and finally procured one half 
full of water. He managed to reach 
the office door about 12 noon, where 
there was three feet of water. The 
boat was then nearly full of water, 
and it was a desperate effort to get 
it to land before it would sink. With 
wet clothing and wet feet he caught 
cramp and had to beat a retreat. By 
10 the next morning there was eight 
feet of water in The Bulletin office. 

"It was appalling to go down Broad 
Street. The water was five feet high- 
er than the flood of 1881. 

"Losses and damage: 

"Thos. Fahy's, silks, laces, etc., $15,- 
000; Hardy & Co., $5,000; Rounsaville 
& Bro., $15,000. J. A. Rounsaville got 
in at the second story and cut a hole 
through the floor and got out books 
and papers. 

"In nine or ten feet of water a cow 
and a calf were swimming on Broad 
Street. Connor O'Rear's stern-wheel 
boat came along and several men call- 
ed to the animals to follow. The cow 
was about to give up when Mr. O'Rear 
caught her by the horns and towed her 
to land. The calf swam out. Mules 
swam after boats past the First Pres- 
byterian Church. 

"The young ladies of the Rome Fe- 
male College came to the Central Hotel 
in charge of Prof. Sam C. Caldwell 
and Prof. McLean, and went out rid- 
ing in two boats. 

"Dr. J. B. S. Holmes had to swim 
his horses out of his stable on How- 
ard Street (Second Avenue). 

"Ten homes between the Rome Rail- 



road and the Etowah River floated 
away. Samuel Lusk, Pink Turner, 
Will Curr, I. S. Davis, Dr. E. P. Love- 
lace, Charlie Ansley, Capt. W. T. 
Smith, Dan Ramsey, M. F. Govan, W. 
P. O'Neill, Mr. Jones, J. M. Lovelace, 
Chas. Gammon and C. O. Stillwell lost 
their houses and most of the contents. 
John Eve's house floated to the mid- 
dle of Howard Street and finally went 
on down. 

"A party of gentlemen were watch- 
ing the Etowah River near Howard 
Street and saw a house float down. 
On its roof was a man who was ges- 
ticulating and calling for help. An- 
other report said a whole family was 
on the house. 

"A good deal of anxiety was felt for 
Capt. J. N. Perkins, who was calmly 
looking out of a second-story window. 
He and his family were rescued and 
taken to Broad Street. 

"A gentleman said to a Bulletin 
man: 'I have lost everything. I said 
to my wife at breakfast time, "When 
you married me I was worth $3,000 to 
$3,500. Now, it is all gone!" "Well," 
said she, "we have four boys and good 
health; that is all we need!" 

"A box car floated away from the 
railroad into South Street (First Ave- 
nue) and was turned upside down. 

"The Steamer Mitchell spent some 
time relieving people in DeSoto and 
taking them away from their homes. 

"A. W. Walton estimates the dam- 
age to cotton at $10,000 to $15,000. 
B. I. Hughes thinks $25,000 will cover 
the damage to the town. 

"The trestle approaching the Rome 
and Carrollton bridge is gone, as well 
as the bridge. 

"The people in East Rome held a 
meeting to establish a ferry at the site 
of the late bridge (over the Etowah 
at Howard Street). 

"It was reported that Mr. Woodruff 
counted fifteen houses floating by. J. 
L. Johnson's stable and Mr. Belcher's 
house in East Rome have gone. 

"At 1:15 a. m. a tremendous crash 
was heard in the lower part of the city, 
and it was known that the bridge at 
the lower end of Broad Street was 
gone. A gentleman at the Rome Hotel 
said he saw a light on the bridge and 
it went out just as the crash came, 
and he heard a man cry, 'Ain't you 
coming to help me? Are you going 
to let me drown?' It was rumored 
that there was a special watchman on 
the bridge. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



319 



"When morning: came there was not 
a bridge on the Etowah but the E. T. 
V. & G. near Forrestville. The only 
bridge remaining to Rome is the one 
across the Oostanaula River at Bridge 
Street (Fifth Avenue). 

"We learn from Capt. E. J. Ma- 
gruder that there was no watchman on 
the Broad Street bridge, but there was 
one at Patton's, who called out to peo- 
ple at the E. T. V. & G. Railroad 
depot just before the bridge went." — 
Saturday, April 3, 1886. 

Waters Receding. — Rome, Ga., April 
2. — (Special.) — The waters which 
have been raging in Rome since 
Tuesday last are receding, and the Hill 
City people are beginning to smile 
again. One who has not seen the des- 
titution and desolation caused by the 
flood can have no idea of the situa- 
tion. The city is full of water, the 
streets are hidden from view, and the 
houses for a quarter of a mile away 
from the river are surrounded by the 
yellow, muddy stuff that no more de- 
serves the name of water than does 
the water from the Atlanta water- 
works. 

Rome was finally reached by your 
correspondent after a perilous train 
trip across the Etowah River bridge, 
thence by way of Kingston in a buggy. 
The spectacle that greeted me as I 
reached the city was one never to be 
flood can have an idea of the sieua- 
forgotten. Broad Street from the Cen- 
tral Hotel to the rivers is one sheet 
of muddy water, while every street 
running parallel with Broad is cover- 
ed too. The Central Hotel is the point 
nearest the stream, and here every- 
body congregates. A hundred skiffs 
are moored nearby. Men who have 
built these water riders are reaping a 
small fortune by conveying people 
around to look at the roofs of their 
houses, or to hunt a house that has 
floated away. A ride down Broad 
Street in one of these Venetian gon- 
dolas made of Georgia pine makes a 
cold shiver run down one's back. Stores 
with closed doors, and goods and boxes 
floating about greet the eye. Thurs- 
day night the flood was seven feet 
higher than the flood of 1881. Not 
less than 20 dwellings have been swept 
away. Late Tuesday night, March 30, 
the Broad Street bridge, the Howard 
Street bridge and the East Tennessee 
Railroad bridge were swept out of ex- 
istence. Conservative men in Rome 
place the damage at $300,000, and as 
much more in the country. 



It is reported that a negro woman 
and her boy have been drowned. 

There has been no mail since Tues- 
day. 

A boat with four negroes capsized 
on Howard Street. They were saved 
by a party of gentlemen. 

The Baptists are determined that 
the state convention shall be held here 
as planned. The people will provide 
generously for the delegates, despite 
their misfortune. 

Fourth Ward is completely under 
water. Thirty cases of measles had to 
be moved. One store with a stock of 
merchandise floated away. Many poor 
families lost all. The suffering is in- 
tense, but for once it is among the 
rich as well as among the poor. 

Howard Street, the Peachtree of 
Rome, is a sheet of water from end 
to end, and Brussels carpets, parlor 
furniture, lace curtains, pianos and 
bric-a-brac are ruined by the carloads. 

John Lovelace was driven from his 
house and carried nothing out. J. L. 
McGhee got away no better. Judge 
Joel Branham has deserted his lower 
floor and is living on the top floor. 
One of the finest pianos in Rome was 
saved here. H. H. Smith was driven 
out of his handsome residence. Mrs. 
W. L. Whitely escaped with her life 
only. William Ramey surrendered his 
house to the water. Major Fouche and 
Capt. Stillwell are living away from 
home. 

Bales of cotton, box cars and hogs 
on rafts are floating about the streets. 
A bale of hay came down one of the 
rivers with a crowing rooster on it. 
The people are cheerful. — Edward C. 
Bruffey, Saturday, April 3, 1886. 



A Perilous Trip to Rome. — King- 
ston Ga., April 2. — (Special.) — 
Tuesday morning, after all trains had 
stopped running on the Rome Rail- 
road, and the Etowah overflow had 
covered most of its track, Capt. John 
J. Seay came up from Atlanta to 
Kingston on the morning passenger, 
saying he must get to Rome, where 
his family and his property were. He 
and John H. Harris started on this 
perilous trip in a buggy, while the 
rain came down in blinding sheets. 
They drove through water some three 
or four feet deep for four miles. 
Reaching what is usually a small 
stream, near the Barnsley place, and 
being advised by a farmer that it was 
fordable, they drove in. The horse had 
gone only a few steps when he be- 



320 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 






VARIOUS WAYS EMPLOYED TO GET AROUND. 

Batteaux are in heavy demand when the water rises. In addition to serving for trans- 
portation purposes, they are often used by hunting parties who find many rabbits caught 
in queer places. An automobile is shown splashing its way along Second Avenue, and others 
are plowing across a low place in West Fifth. The pictures were taken in the spring of 1921. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



321 



gan to swim. The current was so 
swift it washed horse and buggy down 
the creek. 

Capt. Seay cried out, "Mr. Harris, 
can you swim?" 

"Like a duck," returned Mr. Harris. 

"I can't; not a stroke," declared 
Capt. Seay. 

At this moment the horse and buggy 
stopped against a log. Mr. Harris 
made a flying leap for a sawmill slab 
he espied protruding from the water, 
which he caught and clung to until he 
could unhitch the horse. Jumping on 
the animal, he swam to the rear of 
the buggy, which by that time had 
again started down stream. Catching 
on to the wheel, still holding to the 
horse, Mr. Harris started for the 
shore. 

All this time Capt Seay was sitting 
in the buggy, wet and shivering with 
cold, amazement depicted on his coun- 
tenance at the coolness and daring of 
his companion. 

After the wheels had hit bottom, 
Mr. Harris made fast the lines and 
pulled the buggy safely on the bank, 
Capt. Seay exclaiming, "We are safe! 
We are safe!" 

Messrs. Foots Roode, Judge Sanford, 
Prof. Agostino, and Mr. Drewry left 
Rome the same day and came near 
drowning in a stream. They had to 
cut their horses loose and swim out, 
leaving their carriage to float down- 
stream. — Edward C. Buffey, Saturday, 
April 3, 1886. 

Spirit of the Romafis. — Rome, Ga., 
April 3. — (Special.) — The people are 
remarkably buoyant in spirit, and as 
the waters recede their buoyancy 
ascends little by little. 

The flood is the most wonderful and 
remarkable in the South, but decided- 
ly more wonderful and remarkable are 
the courage, nerve and equipoise of the 
people who have suffered. 

No city in the world has more ener- 
getic, conservative and safe business 
men than Rome, and every factor in 
her trade, commerce and society is 
loyal to his city and devoted to her 
interests None of them think of de- 
serting her now in the hour of adver- 
sity, but on the contrary, the bad luck 
seems to weld tighter and harder the 
bond between them and their home. 
The men are not alone in their de- 
termination to stick by the Hill City. 
The ladies, young and old, married and 
single, love the town, and with tongue 
and pen they boast of her advantages. 



They burden each mail with letters to 
their friends telling them that Rome 
is still sitting on her hills, from 
whence she will continue to rule the 
commerce of the Coosa Valley. 

On the banks of the Etowah stand 
the warerooms of Battey & Hamiltons. 
These gentlemen conduct a large 
wholesale and retail grocery business, 
and handle many bales of cotton. They 
probably had 1,500 bales of cotton in 
the warehouse. Mr. Battey is one of 
the most energetic men in the Hill 
City; he has push and pluck enough 
for half a dozen men, and when he re- 
alized the danger he hired a colony of 
negroes and went to work. He packed 
his cotton above high water mark, and 
when the water still came up, he chop- 
ped holes through the roof of the ware- 
house and lifted the cotton out. A 
great many bales floated out, and 
steamers gathered them in. The task 
was a hard one, but nearly all the cot- 
ton was saved. The firm's stock of 
groceries was quite low, but was con- 
siderably damaged. Probably Battey 
& Hamiltons can come nearer telling 
their loss than any one in Rome, and 
it is put down by them at $8,000 to 
$10,000. 

Across the street is the new Rome 
Hotel. The water reached the second 
story of this building, and as the 
water went up, the people in the hotel 
also went up. They have since been 
living upstairs. Boats ride up to the 
second-story porch and take on or dis- 
charge their cargo of human freight. 
— Edward C. Bruffey, Sunday, April 
4, 1886, 

The water rose to 40.3 feet above 
normal water level. Judge Joel Bran- 
ham's law office and residence at the 
northeast corner of Second Avenue 
and East First Street is 33 feet above 
normal, and the water reached his 
ground floor mantels. Judge Bran- 
ham hired a negro to help him move 
upstairs; his fine piano was hitched 
to the lower stairway. He was due 
to celebrate on April 24 his silver wed- 
ding anniversary with his wife, who 
was Miss Georgia Cuyler, but the con- 
fusion arising from the freshet caused 
the event to be postponed. The con- 
vention of Georgia Baptists was held 
as planned, a few days after the 
water went down, and the judge, be- 
ing a staunch Baptist and favorable to 
immersion (if necessary) on such an 
occasion, bought up all the frying-size 
chickens in the neighborhood and had 
them cooked for the visitors. 



322 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



The determination of Romans was 
aptly expressed by a delegate : "You 
folks can dispense more genuine hos- 
pitality in a sea of mud than anybody 
I ever knew!" 

The mayor of Rome at that time 
was Samuel M. Knox. He wanted to 
appeal to sister cities for help. "I 
can have $5,000 here in 24 hours," he 
declared. "Don't do any such thing," 
urged Judge Branham; "it would cost 
us more than $5,000. We have a lot 
of Baptists coming, and they won't 
make the trip if they get scared of a 
little water. We can take care of our- 
selves." 

The appeal was not sent, and Rome 
pulled herself together handsomely. 

It was an event never to be for- 
gotten. Citizens went looking for their 
houses and certain straying members 
of their families. A "freshet scout" 
came in with the report that a house 
had just floated by with the owner, 
an Irishman, on the roof, and com- 
placently smoking a corn-cob pipe. It 
was stated that the marooner said ev- 
erything he possessed had been swept 
down, and his only hope lay in going 
in the same direction. 

Luke C. Mitchell, of the Fourth 
Ward, is authority for the statement 
that it was his steamboat, the Mitch- 
ell, with himself at the wheel, that 
steamed up Broad Street, which was 
about ten feet deep in water. The 
Mitchell had been tied up at the old 
wharf on the town side of the Etowah 
near the junction of the rivers. Capt. 
Mitchell had just received word that 
Adolphus Harbour's fine mare was 
swimming in Mr. Harbour's barnyard 
in the Fourth Ward, so he determined 
to rescue her. With Jep Camp as en- 
gineer and Hutch Moore along as 
"able-bodied seaman," he cut up the 
Etowah to Broad, turned wheel hard 
left and set his course northward up 
Rome's main business thoroughfare. 
Broad was under water as far as 
Fifth Avenue, so Capt. Mitchell turn- 
ed to the left at Fourth Avenue, 
steamed past the City Hall and across 
the Oostanaula into the Fourth Ward. 
At Fourth and Broad Virgil A. Stew- 
art and Jas. O. Winfrey tied their 
batteaux alongside and clambered 
aboard. The course lay along Fifth 
Avenue, and close to the Fifth Ave- 
nue Baptist Church.* 

Cries for help being heard, Capt. 
Mitchell stopped and took Barnum El- 
ders out of a second story window. On 
reaching the Harbour place, they 
found the mare half frozen from the 



cold, and nearly exhausted. They 
broke the fence and led her by a halter 
to a high point near the home of Mrs. 
Hiram D. Hill, on Avenue C. The 
mare was shivering, and so weak she 
could scarcely stand. Mr. Harbour, 
the owner, now lives at Wimpee's 
Ferry, Oostanaula River. 

Shortly prior to this incident, Capt. 
Mitchell had manned the Steamer ^oel 
Marable and set out in pursuit of the 
Selma, Rome & Dalton Railroad 
wooden bridge down the Coosa River. 
He ran a line from his pilot house 
to a bridge stay and reversed his en- 
gines; but the Marable was too light 
and of insufficient power. After play- 
ing with the bridge all the way to 
Coosa (about 16 miles), he cast off 
and returned to his base. He had less 
trouble saving a freight car loaded 
with cotton and provisions.** 

B. I. Hughes, cashier of the First 
National Bank, reported the water 
over the doors of the vault, and per- 
haps $100,000 in bills flooded. 

He took out the packages, heavily 
covered with river mud, and spread 
the bills before a grate fire, and in 
time had them all dry. The bank did 
not lose a dollar except in a small lot 
of new stationery. Mr. Hughes re- 
ported further that very few failures 
resulted from flood losses, and that 
the balance of the year was full of 
building activity. 

It is worthy of note that two other 
pranks of nature were played on Ro- 
mans about this time. A distinct 
earthquake shock was felt, and two 
feet of snow, the heaviest Rome has 
ever had, blocked the horse cars and 
seriously interfered with other traffic 
for two or three days.*** 

Less than a year after the freshet. 
Judge Branham, Jack King and Wes' 
Rounsaville were appointed by the city 
council to go to Washington and bring 
a government engineer to figure on a 
levee to keep the water out. They 
brought Oberlin M. Carter, a brilliant 
young government employee, and two 
assistants, whom Judge Branham quar- 
tered over his office on Second Ave- 
nue. Judge Branham wanted to ask 
what the survey was going to cost, but 

*Frank Holbrook, skipper of the "Annie 
H." and former city councilman, saw the 
steamer pass this point. 

**Capt. Mitchell states that it is not true 
that his steamer's waves broke glasses out ot 
Broad Street windows, and that the owners 
sued him for damages. 

*** According to the best recollection of Nick 
Ayer, the well-known weather prophet, the 
earthquake came Aug. 30 and the snow either 
Dec. 1 or 25. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



323 




DAME NATURE MAKES ROMANS STEP LIVELY. 

Like practically all river towns, Rome experiences an occasional freshet, and lucky are 
those who are perched on the hills. However, the damage is usually small and the incon- 
venience trifling. Prominent m the pictures are a street car on Second Avenue and the 
Mowel Cotton Co. s compress on First; an automobile and a cow on Fifth. Two ponies are 
marooned on an island on West Seventh Avenue. 



324 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Mr. King and Mr. Rounsaville thought 
that might offend the tender sensibil- 
ities of Rome's guests, and requested 
them to render a bill. The bill was 
$1,500, which the city council thought 
excessive. The price was finally beat- 
en down to $1,250; council paid $700 
of it and let the three committeemen 
pay the $550. 

There were two plans. One was to 
build a high bank from the edge of 
the water between the two rivers, and 
the other to follow the W. & A. rail- 
road down the Etowah and around to 
the Broad Street station, putting the 
railroad tracks on the top of the bank. 
The first was considered too expen- 
sive and the point was raised that 
crawfish would gnaw through the bank 
and cause it to crumble. The rail- 
road, it is said, failed to concur in the 
second plan, so nothing was done ex- 
cept to pay the engineering bill and 
take two interesting maps which the 
gentlemen from Washington had 
drawn. 

The freshet damage suggests Stan- 
ton's lines: 

"Dis ole world we're livin' in. 
Am mighty hard to beat; 

You get a thorn with every rose. 
But ain't the roses sweet?" 

Not only were the people awaken- 
ed to the necessity of curbing the high 
waters, but they declared, "It is time 
Rome was going out and getting more 
people, more industries, more prosper- 
ity. Let us form an association which 
will herald to the world the glories 
and advantages of Rome and Floyd 
County!" 

The idea spread like the measles. 
Everybody took it up, especially the 
financial leaders. Result: The Rome 
Land Co., which dealt in land and a 
hundred other things. In February, 
1887, this company was formed with 
J. W. Rounsaville as president, Jos. 
L. Bass, general manager, and Jno. 
H. Reynolds treasurer. Judge Bran- 
ham and numerous other Romans join- 
ed in, until the $1,000,000 capital stock 
was well gobbled up in a short time. 
It was the biggest boom Rome had 
ever experienced. 

In an anniversary book issued Octo- 
ber 2, 1888, by the Tribune-of-Rome un- 
der the direction of John Temple 
Graves, editor, and Jno. G. Taylor, 
business manager, we find the follow- 
ing description of the company's ac- 
tivities : 

"The company purchased nearly 
2,500 acres of the city's best subur- 



ban land, and vigorously began the 
work of development. The property of 
the Rome Street Railroad Company 
was at once acquired, and its lines ex- 
tended through the lands of the com- 
pany. Steam motors were installed, 
and this was the first dummy line 
ever started in Georgia. Only Bald- 
win's best motors and Brill's best cars 
were used, and the equipment was of 
the finest. These steam ti-ains have 
been in use here more than twelve 
months — a part of the time in opera- 
tion on the main thoroughfares of the 
city — and they have given eminent sat- 
isfaction. Nothing does more to ad- 
vertise a city of enterprise than the 
operation of well-equipped dummy 
trains on its principal streets, and the 
company, realizing this, will extend 
its lines into every portion of the city 
wherever practicable. 

"The company bought 2,000 acres of 
land in a body on the south side of 
the city, adjoining East Rome, its 
northern boundary being about a mile 
from the business center of Rome, and 
traversed by Silver Creek. The pop- 
ularity of this land has been estab- 
lished in the sale of more than $50,000 
in lots and the erection of a number 
of handsome homes. Nature has 
shaped a goodly area on this land for 
a park. There is a natural basin of 
several acres in which a lake has been 
constructed which is fed by five large 
springs. This park is the present 
terminus of the dummy line on this 
side of the city. (Author's Note — 
Reference is to DeSoto Park, former- 
ly Mobley Park). 

"The company owns 500 acres of 
land in one body west of Rome, three- 
eighths of a mile from the center of 
the city, and to make this accessible 
has recently opened to the public an 
elegant iron draw bridge across the 
Oostanaula River at the foot of How- 
ard Street (Second Avenue), {at a 
cost of $20,000, and has also graded 
and macadamized at its own expense 
a splendid road to its own railroad 
depot in the heart of this property. 
The dummy line will run to this depot 
before the ides of March have come 
and gone. The erection of and open- 
ing of this bridge is but one of the 
many valuable works which this com- 
pany has done for the public. 

"A year ago, when the great Pied- 
mont Exposition at Atlanta invited the 
exhibit of the products and resources 
of the South Atlantic and Gulf States, 
Floyd County, for herself, was silent. 
It was known that to enter so large 
a field of competition with a shadow 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



325 



of a hope of championship would re- 
quire the outlay of large sums of 
money, supplemented with a vast deal 
of systematic and laborious work. In 
the absence of any answer from the 
county, the Rome Land Co., in the 
name of and for the county, undertook 
the task, knowing that should the un- 
dertaking prove a success, its credit 
would go to the county, while a fail- 
ure would be set down against the 
company. 

"The grand prize of the exposition, 
offered to the county making the 
largest and best display of agricultu- 
ral products, was $1,000 in cash. The 
valleys of the Coosa, Etowah and the 
Oostanaula were put upon their met- 
tle, and for the county they bore aloft 
the banner and captured the handsome 
award. Also, the first prize for the 
best bale of cotton was awarded to 
Floyd, and so it was in the case of 
hay, wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, 
gi'apes, wine, cattle, hogs, etc., etc. 

"Great interest centered in the min- 
eral exhibit, a new field for Floyd 
County. Our best-informed citizens 
had no conception of the great wealth 
that lay at our very doors. The min- 
eralogist had to go only a short dis- 
tance beyond the city limits to gather 
his materials for the contest. That 
our county secured the first premium 
against the efforts of boastful Birm- 
ingham, ambitious Anniston, hopeful 
Gadsden and other pretentious cities 
and counties naturally aroused the 
pride of our citizens, the wonder of 
people in the mineral districts of North 
Alabama and Tennessee, and the anx- 
ious inquiry of Eastern investors. 
Since the exposition, a large amount 
of money has flowed into the county, 
attracted by the superb qualities of 
the iron ore and manganese exhibited 
on that occasion. 

"Finally, the first premium for the 
fullest and best display of forest prod- 
ucts was awarded to Floyd County. 
With 42 prizes and premiums, Floyd 
County scored almost a clean sweep. 

"The Armstrong Hotel idea was 
born in the office of the Rome Land 
Co., and Capt. R. T. Armstrong, the 
builder, was attracted to Rome from 
Birmingham by the activities of the 
company. The Tribune-of-Rome and 
a large number of factories may be 
said to have received their inspiration 
from the activities of this wide-awake 
development concern." 

♦Authority : R. L. Haire, Atlanta, now an 
engineer on the Birmingham division of the 
Southern Railway. 



THE CALHOUN-WILLIAMSON 
DUEL. — The people of Georgia and of 
Alabama and the governors of the two 
states — Jno. B. Gordon and Tom Seay 
— were furnished with quite an excite- 
ment in 1889 through a duel between 
Patrick Calhoun, railroad attorney, 
later prominent in street railway af- 
fairs of Cleveland, O., and Califor- 
nia, and Capt. Jno. D. Williamson, 
railroad construction genius, a native 
of Whitfield County and .at the time 
stated a casual resident of Rome. 

The prominence of the principals 
and the issue between them accen- 
tuated the interest in their affair. Mr. 
Calhoun's grandfather was John C. 
Calhoun, the South Carolina states- 
man. Capt. Williamson was also a 
man of education and remarkable will; 
he had spent four years in railroad de- 
velopment in Mexico, and had come 
back to Rome to develop her trans- 
portation enterprises, and had started 
the Rome dummy line as the first in 
the state. He lived part of his time 
at the Armstrong Hotel; his interests 
called him away frequently and he 
nearly always traveled in his private 
car. 

A tilt before the railroad commit- 
tee of the Georgia Legislature at At- 
lanta led to the trouble. Mr. Calhoun 
stated that Capt. Williamson had so- 
licited him to become leading counsel 
for the C. R. & C. railroad, hoping 
to use the Calhoun influence to unload 
that property on the Central of Geor- 
gia. Capt. Williamson was present 
and denounced this statement as a 
falsehood. Correspondence transmitted 
through the hands of friends failed 
to bring an understanding, and they 
agreed to fight it out with pistols at 
the Alabama line. A boundary line 
was convenient because duelists could 
often step from one state into another 
and avoid arrest; incidentally, this 
was the last duel fought under the 
old style in the South. 

That the duel was not fought on 
the line was due to the vigilance of 
Gov. Seay and Gov. Gordon, who kept 
the wires hot until a number of posses 
had been formed along the "border." 
They fought at the point of least re- 
sistance after several harrowing 
chases by the authorities; this was 
close to the R. & D. tracks, between 
Lawrence and Farill, Ala., on the 
Farill plantation, about three miles 
east of the place where Forrest cap- 
tured Streight's men in 1863, four 
miles west of the Georgia line and 
18 miles west of Rome.* 



326 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 




FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS THERE IS GREAT FUN. 

The children dance in glee when it snows or "'"f .''^^t -\"f ,^terture.''''Bo" 
of their banks. Wading, bathing and ^^^^''""^/.^^^■^"^•h^^s the Linton Dean homo place on 
SeSnfe°vrii;'R:arne\"i;risolatJd'^.^ Xr.1./born,^^a?r ^otor crait "riding eas." at the.r 
moorings. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



327 



Although gi-eat care had been taken 
to keep the affair secret, the mothers 
and friends of several Romans who 
boarded Capt. Williamson's private car 
when it stopped a minute at Howard 
Street (Second Avenue) knew that 
something unusual was going on. A 
sudden demand was created for loco- 
motives, due to the fact that at Chat- 
tanooga junction, about two miles 
west of Rome, two of the newspaper 
correspondents, Hurtel and Barrett* 
were diplomatically kicked off the 
train, and had to foot it back to town. 
Capt. Seay and Dr. J. B. S. Holmes as- 
sisted in getting Engineer W. T. Do- 
zier off the dummy line and in charge 
of an engine. R. L. Haire and his 
brother, Paul Haire, rushed to For- 
restville (North Rome) and fired up 
the "Daniel S. Printup," the first en- 
gine built for the Selma, Rome & Dal- 
ton railroad. Evidently The Journal 
and The Constitution were determined 
not to be "scooped," and each repre- 
sentative had a pocket full of money 
to charter trains or anything else. 

"The Printup" and the Dozier en- 
gine (believed to have belonged to the 
Rome railroad) , reached Chattanoo- 
ga Junction about the same time, and 
there they found the Williamson en- 
gine and coach held up because the 
engineer was a stranger to the road. 
The newcomers proposed that they 
would furnish plenty of engines and 
engineers just so they were allowed 
to sit on the soft plush of Capt. Wil- 
liamson's private coach. The offer 
was accepted, and the duelling lions 
and the journalistic lambs lay down 
together. Capt. Seay and Mr. Taylor 
came in when the bars were let down. 

Fortunately, nobody was hurt by the 
duel. Mr. Calhoun thought he was to 
fire one shot, then look above his smoke 
to see the result, and if there was no 
hit, to blaze away again. Capt. Wil- 
liamson's understanding was that they 
were to fire at will, hence his weapon 
stuttered five times, also without hit- 
ting the mark. Then Capt. William- 
son's gun was empty, and Mr. Calhoun 
held four balls in reserve. What Mr. 
Calhoun did with his perfectly good 
four balls is told hereafter. Capt. Wil- 
liamson had stood close to a slender 
pine sapling, and Mr. Calhoun's single 
shot had knocked bark into his face. 
Undoubtedly the next shot would have 
laid the Roman out. It was never 
fired. 

Some mischievous persons sought to 
represent the fight as a sham affair, 
particularly a "champagne lark." It is 
true that Mr. Barrett got a bottle of 



wine from the train porter, and offered 
the others some going down. It is also 
true that the physicians ordered their 
champions to calm their nerves. Maybe 
some of the stuff was left for the re- 
turn trip ; at any rate, Pat Calhoun 
and Jno. D. Williamson and everybody 
else were fast friends ere dark had 
settled on the expectant countryside. 
John Temple Graves took the position 
editorially that the affair was full of 
honor and that both principals ac- 
quitted themselves admirably. The duel 
was the subject of gossip for a long 
time; then duelling, already in a hope- 
less decline, petered out altogether. 

For details the reader is invited to 
wade into the accounts by Barrett and 
Hurtel. Bruffey came to the duel 
walking on a crutch and at it got a 
finger shot off by accident, hence Bruf- 
fey relied on his colleague to do the 
heavy work. Hurtel's story appeared 
in The Atlanta Journal of Monday 
afternoon, Aug. 12, 1889. It is pre- 
ceded by the correspondence between 
the principals. 

THE CORRESPONDENCE. — The 
following is the correspondence which 
led to the duel : 

I. 
Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 8, 1889. 
Mr. John D. Williamson, Kimball 

House: 

Dear Sir: — Before the railroad com.- 
mission of the house of representatives 
this afternoon, in the discussion of the 
Olive bill, you characterized certain 
statements which had been made by 
me as false. I request an unqualified 
retraction of this charge. 

This communication will be handed 
to you by my friend, Mr. Harry Jack- 
son,** who is authorized to receive the 
reply which you may see proper to 
make. Respectfully, 

PAT CALHOUN. 
II. 
Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 8, 1889. 
Mr. Pat Calhoun, City: 

Dear Sir: — Your note of this eve- 
ning has been delivered to me by Mr. 

*Mr. Hurtel died in 1921 at Atlanta, and 
Mr. Barrett (then proprietor of The Age- 
Herald) at Birmingham in July, 1922. Mr. 
Bruffey, the other Atlanta scribe, died in At- 
lanta Friday, November 26, 1920. For many 
years afterward Mr. Hurtel was on The 
Constitution, to which he contributed a 
rare column called "Police Matinee Pen Shots," 
and was Recorder Pro Tem. of the Atlanta 
police court when he died. 

**Father of Marion M. Jackson, the late Tom 
Cobb Jackson, Mrs. Wilmer Moore, Mrs. 
Aquilla J. Orme and Mrs. Shepard Bryan, all 
of Atlanta. 



328 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Henry Jackson. You stated before the 
committee that I had solicited you to 
act as general counsel of the Chatta- 
nooga, Rome & Columbus Railroad 
Company, and that my purpose was to 
unload that road upon the Central Rail- 
road Company of Georgia through 
your influence. This statement car- 
ried with it a reflection upon myself. 
It was without foundation, and I 
promptly pronounced it false. So long 
as this language, used by you, is not 
withdrawn, I must decline to make the 
retraction which you request. 

This will be handed to you by my 
friend, Hon. J. Lindsay Johnson. 

Respectfully, 

J. D. WILLIAMSON. 

IIL 

Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 9, 1889. 
Mr. John D. Williamson, Kimball 
House : 

Dear Sir: — Your communication of 
last evening reached me at half past 

9 this morning. I cannot consent to a 
discussion of the correctness of a state- 
ment made by me before the railroad 
committee of the house, so long as 
your charge of falsehood stands. I 
must, therefore, repeat my request that 
you make an unqualified retraction of 
this charge. 

Respectfully, 

PAT CALHOUN. 
IV. 
Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 9, 1889. 
Mr. Pat Calhoun, City: 

Dear Sir: — Your note of this morn- 
ing was delivered to me at 10:45 a. m. 
My communication of last evening was 
delivered to Mr. Henry Jackson about 

10 p. m., and of course I do not know 
why it did not reach you before 9:30 
this a. m. I have nothing to add to 
my communication of last evening, ex- 
cept to repeat that I decline to comply 
with your request for the reason stated 
in that communication. 

This will be handed to you by my 
friend, Hon. J. Lindsay Johnson. 

Respectfully, 
J. D. WILLIAMSON. 
V. 
Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 9, 1889. 
Mr. John D. Williamson, Kimball 
House: 

Dear Sir: — Your communication of 
this date has just reached me. In re- 
ply I would ask that you name some 
place without the limits of the state 



of Georgia, where this correspondence 
can be continued. 

Respectfully, 

PAT CALHOUN. 

VI. 

Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 9, 1889. 
Mr. Pat Calhoun, City: 

Dear Sir: — I am just in receipt of 
your last note. As you know, Atlanta 
is not my home. I only requested Hon. 
J. Lindsay Johnson to act temprarily 
to prevent delay. A friend who has 
been fully authorized to represent me 
has telegraphed that he will be here 
at 6:30 this p. m. I will then commu- 
nicate with you for the purpose of ar- 
ranging the continuation of this cor- 
respondence outside of this state. 

This will be handed to you by my 
friend, Hon. J. Lindsay Johnson. 

Respectfully, 

J. D. WILLIAMSON. 

VII. 

Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 9, 1889. 
Mr. Pat Calhoun, City: 

Dear Sir:— My friend, Mr. J. King, 
of Rome, Ga., has arrived, and has 
been put in possession of contents of 
the correspondence between us. In 
conformity with your request in your 
last note delivered at 1:05 p. m. today, 
I will meet you in Alabama, at Cedar 
Bluff, on the Rome and Decatur Rail- 
road, tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, 
at 5 o'clock. Unless I hear to the con- 
trary, I shall expect to find you there 
at that hour. 

Mr. friend, Mr. King, will deliver 
this note. 

Respectfully, 
J. D. WILLIAMSON. 

The Journal narrative starts here: 

Captain John D. Williamson and 
Mr. Pat Calhoun fought a duel Math 
pistols Saturday night at thirty-five 
minutes past seven o'clock on the Rome 
and Decatur Railroad somewhere near 
the state line, probably in Alabama. 

The weapons used were the im^ 
proved Smith & Wesson hammerless 
pistols. 

Capt. Henry Jackson acted as Mr. 
Calhoun's second, and Mr. Jack King, 
of Rome, as Capt. Williamson's sec- 
ond. 

Neither principal was hurt. 

A Journal reporter* was on the field 
when the fight took place, having fol- 

*Gordon Noel Hurtel. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



329 




PROMINENT HGURES IN THE DUEL. 

Top, Jno. Temple Graves, "editorial observer;" Capt. Jno. D. Williamson, principal, and 
below him. Jack King, his second; Dr. J. B. S. Holmes, who obtained an engine, and W. T. 
Dozier, engineer; Dr. Henry H. Battey (in skull cap), Capt. Williamson's physician; Pat 
Calhoun, principal, and below him, Capt. Henry Jackson, his second; Gordon Noel Hurtel and 
Edward C. Bruffey, representatives, respectively, of The Journal and The Constitution. 



330 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



lowed the Williamson party from At- 
lanta. But for the lateness of the 
hour, nearly eight o'clock, and the re- 
moteness of the place from a telegraph 
station, the full particulars would have 
appeared in Saturday evening's extra. 
The first authentic news which 
reached the city Saturday night was 
wired by The Journal representative, 
but it reached Atlanta too late to be 
used. 

The Journal reporter, Gordon Noel 
Hurtel, gives a graphic account of the 
affair below: 



"Follow the Williamson party and 
don't lose sight of them until the duel 
is fought or the men make friends," 
were my instructions when I left The 
Journal office Saturday morning. 

And I carried out those instructions 
to the letter, as Journal men are known 
to do. 

I boarded the outgoing Western and 
Atlantic train at the (Union) depot 
Saturday morning at 8 o'clock and 
found the Williamson party occupying 
the parlor car. The party consisted 
of Capt. Williamson, Mr. Jack King, 
his second; Judge H. B. Tompkins, and 
Maj. C. B. F. Lowe.* 

Dr. Hunter P. Cooper was on the 
train, but not with the party, as he 
expected to act as Mr. Calhoun's phy- 
sician. 

I paid my way to Marietta, and 
when I learned from the conductor to 
what point the Williamson party had 
paid their way I antied up more cash 
to carry me to Kingston. 

At Kingston, Capt. Williamson's 
private car was in waiting. It was 
placed next to the engine. I knew this 
meant a quick cut loose and fast run 
through Rome to avoid arrest, and to 
get rid of me, as I had been spotted. 
When Rome was reached, the train was 
stopped at the depot, and I ran to the 
private car and took my seat on the 
steps. As I expected, the special car 
was uncoupled and run through town 
at the rate of twenty miles an hour. 
Two miles the other side of Rome Mr. 
Jack King discovered me hiding on the 
steps. The train was stopped and I 
was put off like a tramp, and had to 
count the crossties for two miles 
through the hot sun. 

Dr. Battey boarded the train at 
Rome to act as Capt. Williamson's phy- 
sician. Dr. Cooper got off. 

In Rome I called upon Colonel John 
T. Graves, and Mr. Taylor, the city 
editor of his paper. Mr. E. W. Bar- 



rett, of The Constitution, and myself 
went to work to secure a special en- 
gine to follow the Williamson party. 
We called upon Major Lawrence, of 
the Rome and Decatur Road. He in- 
formed us that the Williamson party 
had sent to him for permission to go 
over his road on a tour of inspection, 
and he replied that he had no engineer 
to pilot them. The Williamson party 
was then side-tracked at a junction 
two miles from the city. 

"Having no engineer we cannot let 
you gentlemen have a special engine," 
said Major Lawrence. 

But a wide-awake citizen of Rome, 
Maj. John J. Seay, to whom we had 
told the story, enlisted in our cause, 
and he procured an engineer from his 
dummy who knew the Rome and De- 
catur road. 

We got the special engine and start- 
ed out in a hard driving rain. I had 
to help turn the engine on the turning 
board, and got soaking wet. 

At the junction we found Capt. Wil- 
liamson's car. We offered them our 
pilot and they invited us into the pri- 
vate car, giving us a fine lunch and 
champagne and cigars. This was the 
car from which I had been fired like a 
tramp an hour before. 

While waiting for Capt. William- 
son's engine to return, the party went 
into the woods and the captain prac- 
ticed handling his revolver by firing at 
a blazed pine tree. The blaze was the 
height of a man with a round place for 
the head. 

Judge Tompkins would give the com- 
mand: "Are you ready? One, two 
three, fire!" And Capt. Williamson 
would raise his pistol and send five 
balls into the tree, many shots striking 
the blazed place. 

Somebody ran into the woods and 
stated that the sheriff of Floyd County, 
with a deputy, was coming down the 
track. Hurriedly an arrangement was 
made and Capt. Williamson and Mr. 
King ran through the woods, with the 
understanding that the train was to 
pick them up two miles down the road. 



*According to the Barrett narrative, it was 
W. B. Lowe. Capt. Wm. B. Lowe was about 
this time engaged in railroad construction and 
was a casual resident of Rome. He was the 
father of Miss Rebie Lowe, who married Baron 
Rosencrantz, of Austria. Capt. Jas. W. Eng- 
lish, of Atlanta, a business associate and close 
friend, states that Capt. Lowe was ill when 
the duel was fought, and in his opinion was 
not present. Practically all the principals In 
the duel are now dead. Exceptions are Mr. 
Calhoun, now a resident of Frankfort, Ky., 
and Dr. Henry Battey, of Rome. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



331 



The sheriff produced a telegram 
from Governor Gordon instructing him 
to arrest certain gentlemen. He didn't 
find whom he wanted, and when the 
other engine arrived, the party pulled 
out. Two miles down the track Capt. 
Williamson and Mr. King got aboard, 
and we were rolling towards Cedar 
Bluff, the place of meeting, at thirty 
miles an hour. As we passed Raynes 
Station, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, 
I left a telegram for The Journal, and 
two hours afterward found that it had 
not been sent off. The mail is better 
than telegraphing from a country rail- 
way station. 

We reached Cedar Bluff at about 4 
o'clock, and had to sidetrack for a pas- 
senger. 

We had hardly stopped at Cedar 
Bluff when somebody cried out: 

"Here comes the sheriff!" 

There was a scramble for the pri- 
vate car and special engine, and the 
order given to "pull out." 

We were in Cherokee County, Ala- 
bama, and the sheriff was one of those 
bushy, black-whiskered fellows with a 
broad-brim white hat on, who meant 
business. 

The private car got off, but the spe- 
cial engine was stopped by the sheriff. 
However, the car did not get far when 
it met the regular passenger. Our 
car had to be backed to Cedar Bluff 
and into the hands of the bushy-whis- 
kered sheriff. 

Mr. Calhoun and Capt. Harry Jack- 
son were on the regular passenger, 
having come from Atlanta by the way 
of Anniston. They got off, and there 
was Ed Bruffey, hobbling behind them 
on one crutch. 

The sheriff made his way to Mr. Cal- 
houn and said: 

"Mr. Williamson, consider yourself 
under arrest." 

Capt. Seay, who was known to the 
sheriff, made affidavit that the gentle- 
man was not Capt. Williamson and 
Mr. Calhoun was released. Mr. Bruf- 
fey represented himself as Pat Calhoun 
and was arrested, but was released 
when the station master, who knew 
Mr. Calhoun, saw him. 

The sheriff swore he would hold the 
special train and engine. Both trains 
were searched. Mr. Calhoun and Capt. 
Jackson were locked up in a closet in 
the private car. Capt. Williamson and 
Mr. King were in a closet on the regu- 
lar passenger. An arrangement had 
been made for as many of the party as 
possible to leave on this train. When 



the passenger train pulled out, it car- 
ried off Capt. Williamson, Mr. King, 
Dr. Battey, Capt. Williamson's private 
secretary, Capt. Seay and myself. The 
rest of the party were left behind on 
the private car. 

We ran down to Raynes' Station, 
five miles nearer Rome than Cedar 
Bluff, and there got off. 

The passenger train coming from 
Rome was an hour late when it reached 
Raynes' Station. Dr. Cooper was 
aboard. Myself, Capt. Seay and Capt. 
Williamson's private secretary got 
aboard and returned to Cedar Bluff. 
The bushy-whiskered sheriff of Chero- 
kee County was still on hand, and he 
had been made to believe that the en- 
tire duelling party had gone to 
Raynes' Station on the regular pas- 
senger. He was anxious to know what 
happened. He was told that mutual 
apologies had been made and every- 
thing satisfactorily settled. This ex- 
planation induced him to let the spe- 
cial train and engine move off. 

At Raynes' Station everybody got 
off and the seconds had a talk. The 
sun was just setting, and I wired The 
Journal that the fight was about to 
take place. 

While the seconds were arranging 
preliminaries, there was a loud clatter 
of horses' feet, and four men on mules 
and carrying shotguns came in sight. 

"Everybody to the train!" came the 
order. 

"If anybody moves I'll shoot!" came 
from one of the four men, as he cov- 
ered the crowd with his gun. 

This only increased the scramble for 
the coach and engine. 

"Move that train and you are a dead 
man!" came from the four Alabama 
cowboys, as they brought their guns 
to bear upon the engineer. 

Dodging down in his cab, the en- 
gineer pulled the throttle wide open, 
and away we went. 

The special engine was behind, but 
no effort was made to stop it. 

After a run of three miles we stop- 
ped by the side of a beautiful green 
valley, and the party disembarked 
again. 

It was nearly dark and we had left 
the only telegraph station between 
Cedar Bluff and Rome behind us. I 
knew the lateness of the hour and the 
remoteness of a telegraph station 
would make it impossible for me to 
reach The Journal with the news in 



332 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 







mil! 



I -f, 




*iWw ' 




SOME DAY MAN WILL CONQUER WATER. 

Vigorous steps have been taken by Rome leaders to frustrate the freshets, or get above 
them. One plan is to dam up ravines far above Rome, and rlease th water when the rivers 
are low. Another is to have the city grow northward on the hills and use the abandoned 
river fork land for a park. (Near the bottom of the picture is Hamilton athletic field sub- 
merged.) 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



333 



time for its publication Saturday aft- 
ernoon. 

A greensward was selected as the 
field, and the seconds were holding 
their last private interview, when — 

"Look out! Everybody on the train!" 

The warning was none too soon. 
Down the railroad the four men with 
shotguns were coming at a dog trot. 
Everybody jumped aboard and the train 
moved off toward Rome before the men 
got in shooting distance. 

Another run of four or five miles 
was made and we were very near the 
line which divides Georgia and Ala- 
bama. 

Once more everybody disembarked 
and preparations were made for the 
fight. 

. A small natural clearing in an oak 
grove was selected as the spot for the 
meeting. 

Capt. Seay, who was a disinterested 
party, interfered and tried to make the 
men come to a settlement. His efforts 
were fruitless. 

It had to be a fight. 

No written challenge passed. 

Capt. Williamson had the choice of 
weapons and selected the hammerless 
Smith & Wesson five-shooter. Mr. King 
was to give the command as follows : 

"Gentlemen, are you ready?" 

And without waiting for a reply was 
to continue : 

"One, two, three, fire!" 

At the command "fire," each princi- 
pal was to raise his weapon and shoot 
five shots and to stop when their re- 
volvers were empty. The command 
and the manner of firing was not that 
laid down in the Code, and some ob- 
jection was made at first by Capt. 
Jackson. But, as Mr. Calhoun didn't 
seem to care, the arrangement was ac- 
cepted as satisfactory. Capt. Jackson 
thought the men should fire one shot 
at a time, and that the command should 
be "Gentleman, are you ready? Fire, 
one, two, three, — stop!" 

At thirty-five minutes past seven 
o'clock, the principals were placed in 
position twelve paces apart. Only the 
pi-incipals, seconds, doctors, reporters 
and Capt. Seay were allowed on the 
field. 

The last i-ays of daylight were fad- 
ing out of the western sky, while in 
the east the full moon was rising above 
the tree tops. Each man stood facing 
the other against a background of un- 
derbrush. Not a breath of wind stirred 
the leaves, and the only sound that 



broke the stillness was the subdued 
voices of the seconds as they made 
the final arrangements. 

Capt. Williamson stood facing east 
and Mr. Calhoun facing west. 

Mr. King produced two new nickel- 
plated pistols and Capt. Jackson se- 
lected one and went over to his prin- 
cipal to show him how it had to be 
fired. 

When he returned to where Mr. 
King was standing, a box of cartridges 
was opened. 

Mr. King loaded his pistol and 
handed it to his principal. 

Capt. Jackson found some difficulty 
in loading his, not being used to that 
kind of revolver. 

"I don't think I can load this 
weapon," said Capt. Jackson. 

"I can. Cap," spoke up Mr. Bruffey, 
and he took the pistol in his hand. 

There was two or three seconds of 
silence. 

"Bang!" 

"There, my finger's gone!" and Mr. 
Bruffey walked off holding up a bloody 
hand. A part of the third finger of 
his right hand had been torn away by 
the ball. 

"Let me dress the wound," said Dr. 
Cooper. 

"Oh, go on with the fight," said Mr. 
Bruffey as he wrapped a handkerchief 
about "his lacerated finger. "A finger 
don't amount to anything." 

Capt. Jackson loaded Mr. Calhoun's 
pistol and handed it to him. 

A black cloud passed over the moon 
and it was hard to distinguish a per- 
son twelve paces away. 

At this time I passed close to Capt. 
Williamson and Mr. Calhoun, to see if 
there was any quick breathing, or any- 
thing to indicate nervousness. But the 
breathing of both was slow and regu- 
lar, and there was not a tremor of the 
body. Two cooler, braver men never 
stood on the field of honor. 

Capt. Williamson raised his pistol 
slightly. 

"Lower those weapons!" came from 
Capt. Jackson. Mr. Williamson's 
weapon was dropped. 

The affair was getting to be dra- 
matically sensational. 

Capt. Seay rushed forward and stood 
in front of Capt. Williamson. 

"As a citizen of Georgia and in the 
name of the Governor of Alabama," 
cried out Capt. Seay, "I call upon you 
to stop!" 



334 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




THE "PRINTUP," S., R. & D. ENGINE IN THE DUEL. 



The captain didn't know which state 
he was in. 

"It's a shame," he continued, "for 
two such men to stand up and shoot 
at each other, and this thing must be 
stopped!" 

Capt. Seay had to be forcibly moved 
out of the way. He then called upon 
the doctors and the reporters to help 
him remove the principals and the sec- 
onds into the coach and take them back 
to Rome. 

Mr. Bruffey put in with: "Yes, these 
men are two of the best citizens of 
Georgia, and it would be a terrible 
calamity if either of them was killed. 
Gentlemen, if it will satisfy you, you 
can each take a couple of cracks at 
me." 

"Gentlemen, must this thing be?" 
asked Dr. Cooper. 

There was no reply. 

"Gentlemen, are you ready?" came 
from Mr. King, and after a second's 
pause he proceeded: 

"One, two, three, fire!" 

Six rapid shots rang out on the still 
night air. Mr. Calhoun was asked if 
he was hurt and he said, "No." Capt. 
Williamson was asked if he was hurt 
and he answered that he was not. 

"Load my pistol again," said Capt. 
Williamson. 

Mr. King made a movement to go 
towards his principal. 

Capt. Jackson raised his revolver 
and said : 

"I'll shoot the first man who moves, 
if I can!" 

"I think I have the right to speak 
to my principal," protested Mr. King. 

"I w^ish Judge Tompkins sent for to 
see how this shooting shall proceed," 
said Capt. Williamson. 

"I'll kill the man who crosses the 



line, so help me God!" said Mr. Cal- 
houn as he looked towards Mr. King. 

Capt. Jackson said he believed Mr. 
King had the right to speak to his 
principal. 

Mr. King went to Capt. Williamson 
and Capt. Jackson conferred with Mr. 
Calhoun. 

Mr. King began to examine Capt. 
Williamson's pistol. 

"What does that mean?" said Capt. 
Jackson, coming towards Mr. King. 

"I am looking to see if my princi- 
pal's weapon is empty," replied Mr. 
King. "You can see for yourself." 

"That's all right," replied Capt. 
Jackson. 

Then Mr. Calhoun's voice was heard 
clear and strong: 

"Mr. Williamson, I have reserved 
four of my shots and I now have the 
right to fire them at you." 

"I am ready to receive them," came 
from Mr. Williamson in a steady voice. 

"Mr. Williamson, I ask you to with- 
draw the statement you used in speak- 
ing about me before the legislative 
committee." 

"I will do so," replied Capt. William- 
son, "when you say you meant no per- 
sonal reflection on me by your remarks 
before that committee." 

"My statement before that commit- 
tee was to impress the legislature with 
the fact that your railroad was offered 
to the Central in 1887. I say this with 
four balls, and I do not wish to take 
your life." 

"When you say you meant no re- 
flection upon me personally then I will 
retract, but not until then." 

"I want you to retract uncondition- 
ally." 

"You will get such when you tell me 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



335 



you did not intend to reflect upon my 
character." 

"Mr. Williamson, will you retract?" 
again asked Mr. Calhoun. 

Capt. Jackson interrupted the dia- 
logue with the question: 

"Mr. Williamson, have you any re- 
spect for me as a man of honor?" 

"I have," was the reply. 

"Then I say to you as a man of 
honor that I would withdraw the state- 
ment." 

"Capt. Jackson, I will not do so until 
Mr. Calhoun tells me that he meant no 
personal reflection by his remarks." 

"I hold four balls," said Mr. Cal- 
houn. "Will you withdraw?" 

"I'm ready for your fire," replied 
Mr. Williamson with firmness. 

Then Mr. Calhoun raised his pistol 
aloft and said: 

"Mr. Williamson, in my remarks be- 
fore the legislative committee, you did 
not personally enter my mind. I say 
this holding four shots in reserve, and 
when I have fired them in the air I ex- 
pect you to withdraw your remarks, 
since I have made this statement." 

Pointing the pistol upward, Mr. Cal- 
houn fired the four shots. The flashes 
of the pistol could be seen. 

As soon as the shots were fired, Capt. 
Williamson said: 

"Since you have stated that you 
meant nothing personal in your re- 
marks, I now withdraw the statement 
I made before the legislative commit- 
tee." 

Mr. Calhoun walked over to Capt. 
Williamson and the two gentlemen 
shook hands. 

"Let all this be a matter of the 
past," said Mr. Calhoun. 

"It shall be with me," said Capt. 
Williamson. "You have shown your- 
self to be a man of courage and I be- 
lieve I have." 

"You certainly have," replied Mr. 
Calhoun. 

Capt. Jackson then threw his arms 
about Mr. Calhoun's neck and kissed 
him. 

The party returned to the train and 
champagne and cigars were in order. 

We arrived in Rome a few minutes 
after 9 o'clock, and that was the first 
telegraph station reached after the 
fight. I sent the first authentic news 
of the fight to Atlanta at that hour. 

Cap. Williamson and the other gen- 
tlemen who live in Rome got off, and 
Mr. Calhoun, Capt. Jackson, Dr. Coop- 



er, Judge Tompkins, Major Lowe and 
myself were sent through on Capt. 
Williamson's private car, arriving in 
Atlanta at 2 o'clock on Sunday morn- 
ing. 



NOTES OF THE FIGHT. 

Capt. Jackson tells a good story on 
Mr. Ed Bruffey. He says when they 
found it impossible to give Ed the 
shake, they just swore him in. The 
party had to travel as secretly as pos- 
sible to avoid arrest. Soon after Bruf- 
fey had been "sworn in" he approached 
Capt. Jackson and said: "Captain, is 
there any particular lie you want me 
to tell, or shall I just lie generally?" 

The saddest thing of the day was the 
grief of Capt. Williamson's private 
secretary at the thought of his em- 
ployer's having to face death. He re- 
mained in the coach during the fight, 
and when the six shots rang out, he 
jumped to his feet and exclaimed: "My 
God! Is he killed?" 

Mr. Calhoun did some practising 
early Saturday morning, and he is 
said to have turned over a silver dol- 
lar three shots out of five. 

It is claimed by Mr. Williamson that 
it did not occur to him that he could 
reserve any shot, and that was why 
he fired so rapidly and left himself 
unarmed. 

Mr. Calhoun says he did not hear any 
bullets whizzing past him. "I felt as 
calm and cool," says he, "as if I had 
been making a law speech." And he 
looked just as he said he felt. 

There came near being a serious col- 
lision at Cedar Bluff between Capt. 
Williamson's special and the regular 
passenger, on which Capt. Jackson and 
Mr. Calhoun arrived. Had the special 
had a few minutes more time when it 
pulled out from the sheriff there would 
have been a smashup. 

About an hour before the fight took 
place Capt. Williamson was asked by 
me if he felt any apprehension of what 
was coming. He said: "I don't any 
more mind going into this fight than I 
do going to breakfast. I have no fear 
of death and I attribute this to my phi- 
losophy. A man must eventually die 
anyway, and to die now is only to 
hasten matters a few years." 

When the duel was over, it was a 
happy party that boarded the train 
and made the champagne corks pop. 
Mr. Calhoun called Capt. Williamson 
"John," and Capt. Williamson called 



336 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



pl&r /».- i^"!:-A!KaBi'jSVi«.«&«?«»'^»^ 




ROME DWELLINGS OF HIGH ALTITUDE AND LOW 

1 — Mrs. C. S. Sparks. 2 — Mrs. E. L. West. 3 — Col. and Mrs. J. Lindsay Johnson ("Rio 
Vista," on the Etowah). 4 — Barry Wright. 5 — John C. Glover. 6 — Hugh B. Parks. 7 — Richard 
A. Denny (formerly Capt. John J. Seay and Thos. W. Alexander). 8 — Mrs. Henry J. Hine- 
9 — Judge and Mrs. Waller T. TurnbuU ("Saracinesca," Tubbs Mountain). 10 — W. Coleman 
Bryan (J. Park Bowie). 11 — J. E. S. Angle (John Montgomery). 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



337 



him "Pat," and both were on the most 
friendly terms. 

The way he dodged around, jumping 
from car to car, perplexed the old sher- 
iff as bad as the harlequin in Humpty- 
Dumpty did Goody Two-Shoes. 

They tried to make the old Cherokee 
sheriff believe the special train car- 
ried the mail and that he would be 
hung for interfering with the mails, 
but it was no go. 

Capt. Jackson, in discussing the duel 
after it was over, said: "My man 
showed as noble courage as was ever 
witnessed on the field, and he had a 
man of true grit in front of him." 

Before going on the field, Mr. King 
told Capt. Jackson that he was un- 
armed. 

When Ed Bruffey, who has been un- 
able to walk without crutches for sev- 
eral months, left the train to go on the 
field he forgot his crutches and jumped 
about in a very lively manner. 

And now the fight is over, everybody 
is satisfied and happy, and will remain 
so unless the Governor of Alabama 
opens up a correspondence with the 
Governor of Georgia. 

GORDON NOEL HURTEL. 

The Barrett narrative, written in 
collaboration with Bruffey for The 
Constitution of Monday morning, Aug. 
12, 1889, follows: 

Mr. Calhoun and Capt. Jackson are 
back at home again. 

Mr. Williamson and Mr. King are 
in Rome. 

The duel is a thing of the past and 
the friends of all concerned are pleas- 
ed at the bloodless result. But those 
who were upon the field may have to 
make another trip to Alabama. Gov. 
Tom Seay wants to see them. 

Alabama's chief executive made 
every exertion to prevent the duel in 
his state. He telegraphed to every 
county, and yesterday morning when 
he ascertained that his officers had 
been eluded, and that the fight took 
place near the state line, he was an- 
gry. 

Gentlemen who were in Montgomery 
yesterday morning and who reached 
Atlanta last night say that Gov. Seay 
says he will have officers sent for all 
parties interested in the affair, and see 
that the law is vindicated. Just what 
will be done remains to be seen. 

Mr, Calhoun passed the day at his 
home and will remain in the city some 



time. Capt. Jackson has no idea of 
going away, and if Gov. Seay wants 
them he will have no trouble in secur- 
ing them. 



On our return to Atlanta yesterday 
Mr. Bruffey and myself were asked 
thousands of questions about the Cal- 
houn-Williamson duel — among them if 
the men really shot to kill? Were the 
pistols loaded with balls or were the 
cartridges blank? And hundreds of 
other such, I may say, foolish ques- 
tions. 

The bravery shown by both parties 
in the fight was simply unequaled. 
They are the two bravest men I ever 
saw, and in the history of this coun- 
try, it is safe to say, there will never 
be another such duel. 

Had it not been for the darkness, 
both men would have been killed, for 
both are good shots. Mr. Williamson 
apparently wanted to hit Mr. Calhoun 
before the latter could get good aim, 
and therefore fired all five of his 
balls in less than two seconds. He 
was familiar with his pistol, but his 
haste was evidently the cause of his 
wild shots. 

Mr. Calhoun, on the other hand, was 
a perfect stranger to the hammerless 
Smith & Wesson self-cocker. In fact, 
Capt. Harry Jackson says Mr. Calhoun 
not only never used one before but 
had never had one in his hands, and 
as for himself, he never saw one until 
yesterday on the grounds. Capt. Jack- 
son at first protested against the 
weapons, but Mr. Calhoun said he was 
perfectly willing to use them. Mr. 
Calhoun is a dead shot, and while he 
might have shot to kill, it struck me 
otherwise. 

After the first shots and when the 
colloquy ensued, Mr. Calhoun simply 
held Mr. Williamson's life in his hands. 
He could have killed him at any mo- 
ment, and it would have been perfectly 
justifiable under the code. Whether 
he ever had any idea of shooting again 
is the question. No one knew then 
and perhaps no one knows now. Mr. 
Williamson's cool bravery in telling 
him to "shoot your remaining four 
balls and then we will load and shoot 
again," folding his arms and standing 
erect to receive the balls, was an ex- 
hibition of courage that gained for him 
the admiration of everyone on the field. 
Mr. Calhoun's action in firing his four 
balls into the air was magnanimous 
and a clear exhibition of the manhood 
of the man. 



338 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



When Mr. King started to approach 
Mr. Williamson during the colloquy 
and Capt. Jackson leveled his revolver 
and cried "Hold your position; if you 
approach I will kill you!" — the scene 
was dramatic beyond desci-iption. 

There were on the field besides the 
principals and the seconds the two sur- 
geons, Dr. Cooper and Dr. Battey, Col. 
John J. Seay, of Rome; Mr. Dozier, 
The Constitution's engineer; John G. 
Taylor, of The Rome Tribune, and Mr, 
Bruffey and myself. 

Everyone thought Mr. King was 
armed, and expecting a general shoot- 
ing, there was somewhat of a scram- 
ble among the spectators. Bruffey 
dropped on the ground behind a stump ; 
the others drew back in the woods, and 
I sought shelter of a pine sapling the 
size of my arm to the immediate right 
of Capt. Jackson. 

As a scene for a wild and pictur- 
esque duel no more strange spot could 
have been selected than in that small 
clearing in a clump of woods. It was 
not more than 75 feet square and was 
covered with a growth of scrubby 
bushes. On three sides were great tall 
trees underneath which was a dense 
undergrowth. On the fourth side was 
the railroad track with The Constitu- 
tion engine and Mr. Williamson's car, 
containing Judge Tompkins and Mr. 
W. B. Lowe, both of whom Capt. Jack- 
son refused to allow on the field. 

With the puffing engine, the dimly- 
lighted car, the group in the clearing 
surrounded by the great, tall trees in 
the gathering shadows, the scene was 
a weird one. Then the reports of the 
pistols, the flames from their muzzles, 
— next the silence, the colloquy, the 
four shots in the air, the frightened 
owls hooting and moaning in the dis- 
tance — it was a queer, a picturesque, 
a strange, a grand picture. 

Bruffey was twice the hero of the 
day. Once when he shot his little fin- 
ger off. Again at Cedar Bluff. 

The special engine and the car bear- 
ing Mr. Williamson and party and the 
train with Mr. Calhoun and Capt. 
Jackson arrived in Cedar Bluff at the 
same minute. A big, black-bearded 
sheriff with a pistol in one hand, a 
telegram in the other, followed by a 
posse of five armed men, jumped on 
the platform of Mr. Williamson's car. 

"I want Williamson," he gruffly 
cried to Mr. King. 

"I don't know anything about him," 
Mr. King replied. Then pointing to 
Mr. Calhoun and Capt. Jackson, who 



had gotten off their train, "That might 
be him." 

The sheriff immediately ran toward 
them and grabbed Mr. Calhoun's arm. 

"You are Williamson; I arrest you!" 
But Col. Seay told the sheriff he was 
mistaken, and got him away. Then 
Bruffey whispered to me, "You cover 
all this. I am going to be arrested 
and go to jail, and it won't be the 
first time, either." 

Then he said to the sheriff, "Mr. 
Sheriff, I am Pat Calhoun, but you 
can't take me." 

In a second the cold muzzle of a 
pistol was against Bruffey's temple. 
"We'll see!" cried the sheriff, jerking 
his arm and lifting him off his crutches. 

"Well, what are you going to do with 
me?" 

Then Capt. Jackson spoke up and 
said to Mr. Bruffey, "Pat, you will 
find your passes in my valise." 

"Here," said the sheriff, "this man 
must be identified." To the crowd, 
"Is this Mr. Calhoun?" 

Then some smart Aleck who had 
been on the train spoke up and said, 
"No, sir, that ain't him. He's a big- 
ger man and ain't got no crutches." 

The sheriff said in disgust: "You're 
damned smart, ain't you?" as he re- 
leased the badly-bunged-up scribe. 

But Bruffey's game gave Mr. Cal- 
houn and Mr. Williamson time to hide 
in the cars and get off. Without it 
there would have been no duel. 

One of the bravest men I ever saw 
was Mr. Dozier, The Constitution's 
engineer. He runs a dummy on Col. 
Seay's line in Rome, and through Col. 
Seay's kindness I was able to secure 
his services to run the engine I had 
obtained. At Raynes' Station a party 
of officers ran up to arrest the crowd. 
A big fellow with a rifle went toward 
the engine, to the edge of the cut in 
which it stood, and leveled his rifle at 
Mr. Dozier. 

"Stop that train!" he commanded. 

"Not today, thanks," answered Do- 
zier, as with a wave of his hand he 
threw the throttle wide open, without 
even dodging. 

The officer did not shoot and the 
train moved off. 

Col. John J. Seay and Dr. J. B. S. 
Holmes, of Rome, are trumps. Rush- 
ing back to Rome after being put off 
Mr. Williamson's car in the woods, I 
went intmediately to Dr. Holmes' of- 
fice to telephone General Manager 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



339 



Lawrence, of the Rome & Decatur, to 
have an engine ready for me imme- 
diately. Mr. Lawrence replied he had 
only one engine and no engineer who 
had ever been over his road. I could 
have it if he had an engineer, but 
without one it was impossible. 

Dr. Holmes went to the phone and 
said : "Lawrence, he must have an 
engine. Arrange it, please, if not for 
The Constitution, for me." 

I left in search of an engineer while 
Dr. Holmes was talking. I met Col. 
Seay and told him I must have an 
engineer at any cost. 

"That's just what I have and you 
shall have him. Here he comes in a 
dummy now, and he knows the road, 
too." 

"Bring him out to the Rome and De- 
catur, quick," I replied. 

Then I drove out to the depot, told 
Mr. Lawrence I had a man, secured a 
fireman as Mr. Lawrence went to his 
office to write instructions for the en- 
gineer. Mr. Seay and Engineer Dozier 
arrived, jumped in the engine, threw 
the throttle wide open and we were off 
running wildly down the track with- 
out orders or instructions, but fortu- 
nately, the track was clear and we 
got through safely. 

Catching Mr. Williamson's engine 
and car which were side-tracked at the 
junction and were not able to move 
without a pilot, I offered them our 
pilot, provided we were taken aboard 
their car, with the understanding that 
that engine was to pull the car and 
ours to follow. They had no alterna- 
tive. It was take us aboard or not 
get to the dueling grounds on time. 
They accepted the offer with thanks, 
but just then the sheriff appeared. We 
took Mr. Williamson and Mr. King on 
our engine and were off. Their en- 
gine and car followed. 

The remainder of the story was told 
yesterday. 

E. W. BARRETT. 

The Constitution added the following 
details : 

The Calhoun-Williamson duel was 
the one thing discussed in the hotel 
corridors, private parlors and on the 
streets yesterday from dawn to dark. 
Minute details of the fight were in 
great demand. The Constitution's 
magnificent and complete work ex- 
cited the admiration of everybody, and 
the issue of the paper was exhausted 
long before the noon hour. Twice the 
edition could have been sold. 



On Friday last, when the trouble 
then pending between the gentlemen 
became known, members of The Con- 
stitution staff were instructed to watch 
it closely and to shadow the gentlemen 
connected with it until the conclusion 
was reached. Their work in yester- 
day's edition shows how faithfully they 
carried out their orders. Mr. E. W. 
Barrett was assigned to the William- 
son party. Mr. Edward C. Bruffey 
was put on the Calhoun party. 

This was Friday afternoon about 
half past 4 o'clock. The Kimball 
House was then the battlefield and 
the two reporters hung closely around 
with ears and eyes open, never leav- 
ing the hotel except to follow either 
Mr. Williamson or Mr. Calhoun. The 
work was slow, but it was interesting. 

Late Friday night it became appar- 
ent to those who were conversant with 
the latest work that the gentlemen 
were preparing to leave the city. About 
half past 10 o'clock Capt. Jackson en- 
tered the Kimball and ■ went up the 
elevator. In a few minutes he came 
down and walked hurriedly out the 
Wall Street entrance with his shadow 
close behind him. At the Union Depot 
he entered a cab and was driven rap- 
idly to his residence. A cab followed 
closely behind. 

Capt. Jackson remained at his resi- 
dence about 10 minutes, and came out 
carrying a small satchel. He then 
re-entered the cab and was driven to 
the Union Depot. Stopping at the 
eastern end, he was joined by Mr. Cal- 
houn, who was awaiting him. Together 
the two gentlemen entered a Mann car 
and went to a section which had been 
reserved for them. Mr. Bruffey was 
on the same train when it pulled out. 

No one knew whither the gentlemen 
were bound, and a careful watch was 
necessary to prevent a loss. At every 
station the front and rear entrances 
had to be watched, and when Captain 
Jackson emerged from the section at 
Anniston, followed by Mr. Calhoun, his 
shadow made himself scarce. Capt. 
Jackson passed within three feet of 
Mr. Bruffey in leaving the car, without 
knowing it. From that time on it was 
a game of hide and seek. No two gen- 
tlemen ever tried harder to evade 
friends and avoid observation than 
Capt. Jackson and Mr. Calhoun, and 
the watch kept upon them was hard 
work. But Mr. Bruffey was equal to 
the task, and when the fight came off 
he was on hand to see it. 

Mr. Barrett was not long in ascer- 
taining that the Calhoun party had 



340 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 




ROME'S HISTORIC CLOCK TOWER, AND OTHER SCENES. 

The top of the tower is the highest point in downtown Rome, and it has often been sought 
by romantic young people who wanted to get married in an unusual way. Other views on this 
page include the office of the Howel Cotton Co., the jail, the N., C. & St. L. (Rome) railroad 
station (in oval), the City Hall Park bandstand and various machines for locomotion. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



341 



left the city and with renewed inter- 
est and increased watchfulness linger- 
ed about the Kimball, all night long. 
About 6 the next morning Mr. Wil- 
liamson left his room, closely followed 
by Mr. Barrett. The gentleman and 
his friend walked to the Union Depot 
and boarded a Western & Atlantic 
train, Mr. Barrett within reach. At 
Kingston, where Mr. Williamson's pri- 
vate car was awaiting him, Mr. Bar- 
rett's presence was detected, and an 
attempt was made to give him the 
shake. But he would not have it, and 
accepting a seat upon the front plat- 
form, made his way into Rome. Outside 
of Rome, on the Rome and Decatur 
road, Mr. Barrett was made to leave 
the train. He felt knocked out, but 
not defeated. Hurrying back to Rome 
he sought Mr. Lawrence, superintend- 
ent of the Rome & Decatur, and char- 
tered a special engine. But Mr. Law- 
rence could not furnish an engineer. 
Then Mr. Barrett "bought" one off a 
dummy line and in a short time over- 
took Mr. Williamson's private car. The 
car was standing upon a side-track and 
could not move. Mr. Williamson's en- 
gineer had never been over the road 
and the superintendent would not per- 
mit the train to move under a man un- 
acquainted with the line. 

Mr. Barrett's engineer, however, 
knew the road. When he pulled out 
of Rome, Mr. Barrett was in a hurry, 
and ordered the engineer to turn the 
machine loose. By those who were on 
the engine the ride was described as 
having been wild, reckless and dan- 
gerous. But Mr. Barrett was willing 
to take all chances. Realizing that 
Mr. Williamson could never reach the 
field without his help, Mr. Barrett ap- 
proached Judge Tompkins, saying: 

"You cannot get there without my 
assistance. Now, if you want to fight 
that duel, I will take you to the grounds 
upon one condition." 

"What is it?" asked the judge. 

"Give me and my party seats in 
your car." 

Judge Tompkins did so and Mr. Bar- 
rett was at the fight. 

The last line of the duel heading in 
yesterday's Constitution, stating that 
Mr. Williamson makes retraction, con- 
veyed a wrong idea. The fact was 
that Mr. Williamson withdrew his re- 
marks when Mr. Calhoun stated that 
in his statements before the legisla- 
tive committee Mr. Williamson per- 
sonally did not enter his mind. 



Capt. Jackson explained as follows 
to the editor of The Constitution under 
date of Aug. 11: 

"In your issue of yesterday, under 
the heading "To Meet in Alabama," 
appears this language: 

" 'Capt. Jackson carried with him 
a pair of dueling pistols which were 
believed by those who saw them to in- 
dicate that the worst is anticipated.' 

"Your reporter is mistaken. I did 
not carry with me a pair of dueling 
pistols. I have never had a pair of 
dueling pistols in my hand, and have 
never seen but one pair in my life. 

"In the report in your issue of today 
there are some inaccuracies in mat- 
ters of detail which I do not deem it 
necessary to correct. Reference to the 
dueling pistols is made only because 
I wish to correct the public impres- 
sion that I am supplied with such 
weapons. My connection with these 
matters has always been in the inter- 
est of peace and humanity. Though 
sometimes necessary to prevent certain 
bloodshed, duels are always to be de- 
plored by no one more than yours, 

"HENRY JACKSON." 

Under the caption "Hardly Fair to 
the Duelasts," John Temple Graves 
commented as follows in The Tribune 
of Rome : 

The idea is prevalent that public 
opinion is generally right, and this 
view has some foundation in fact; but 
a certain public opinion which has of 
late been expressed through the col- 
umns of the daily press must be noted 
as an exception to the rule. 

There are few newspapers in this 
country that believe in dueling, and 
The Tribune is not one of them. It is 
a practice which few people can con- 
template in the abstract with approval, 
but it appears to us that the daily 
press, in its eagerness to condemn the 
practice, has done serious injustice both 
to the courage and the character of 
two brave and honorable gentlemen, 
and has failed to give proper emphasis 
to one of the few really noble episodes 
that ever occurred in a duel in the 
South. 

The writer of his personal knowl- 
edge has been aware for many years 
that Pat Calhoun was one of the cool- 
est and bravest men that this country 
has produced. There have been few 
Americans possessed of more unques- 
tioned nerve and coolness, and these 
qualities, rising higher than a mere ab- 
sence of fear and indifference to dan- 



342 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



ger, are born of a loftiness of pur- 
pose and a devotion to interest which 
completely dominate the mere issues 
to person and to life. In this view, 
Mr. Calhoun is a man of phenomenal 
loftiness and self-abnegation in dan- 
ger, and this statement did not need the 
episode in Alabama to prove it, but 
has been tested upon other occasions 
of equal trial, and is characteristic 
of a family of brothers whose history 
and record, if told to the world, would 
read like a romance of daring and 
manly resolution. 

Without knowing anything further 
of Mr. Williamson than the report of 
the duel which reliable witnesses have 
given to the newspapers, The Tribune 
has expressed its opinion of his cour- 
age and resolution in similar terms; 
but if one should found his opinion 
of these gentlemen upon the current 
comments of the newspapers, he would 
believe that they were both cowardly 
in thieir natures and fraudulent in 
their effort to palm themselves off as 
brave men before the public. 

There were just three things that 
any thoughtful and truthful man 
ought to realize in the attitude of Mr. 
Calhoun upon the field of combat. In 
the first place, if fear had silenced his 
weapon when Mr. Williamson began 
to shoot, it is scarcely probable that 
he could have recovered his equanimity 
in time to address such calm, tran- 
quil and commanding words to the ad- 
versary who confronted him. Mr. Cal- 
houn's character and record justify 
the view that he was a man who, with 
his adversary's life in his hands, hes- 
itated to make the sacrifice upon a 
misunderstanding, and that his hu- 
manity triumphed over his indignation 
and vengeance and he parleyed for 
the life that he had a right, under the 
code, to destroy. 

An even stronger view is in the fact 
that Mr. Calhoun endeavored to estab- 
lish before that duel terminated the 
truth of the assertions which he had 
made before the legislative committee, 
and endeavored to fix upon the records 
that would go from that battleground 
the correctness of his position and the 
argument he had sought to make for 
the cause. And this view is also sus- 
tained in the minds of those who know 
him by the knowledge of his absolute 
and self-sacrificing devotion to all the 
great interests that he has from time 
to time represented. A third view, also 
probable to those who know the nature 
of the man, was that Mr. Calhoun hav- 
ing coolly received the fire of a cour- 
ageous antagonist, determined, with 



his own life safe, to seek a nobler re- 
venge in sparing the life that he had 
a technical right to take, and to give 
back to the man whom he thought had 
insulted him the life which might be 
spent in usefulness hereafter. 

The Tribune, that has 'something 
more than a casual acquaintance with 
these parties, believes that either one 
of these views might have actuated 
Mr. Calhoun, and that all of them did 
actuate him as he stood there upon 
this famous field of honor. 

Moreover, while it does not approve 
of duelling, this paper is frank to ex- 
press the belief that a more genuine, 
honorable and bona fide duel was never 
fought by brave men with better faith, 
or terminated in higher honor than 

this. 

* * * 

THE VERDERYS AT CASS- 
VILLE.— Mrs. Susan Verdery Prath- 
er, of Atlanta, tells in the following 
manner the touching story of how 
Thos. J. Verdery, her brother, and 
other members of the family happened 
to be buried at Cassville, Bartow Coun- 
ty, once a flourishing town, now little 
more than a memory : 

"My sister, Mary Verdery, married 
Col. Warren Akin in 1849 "at 'Chief- 
tain's,' on the Oostanaula River, near 
Rome. He was a widower, his first 
wife having been Miss Eliza Hooper, 
daughter of Judge Jno. W. Hooper. 
When Miss Eliza died, a year after 
their marriage, she was buried in the 
cemetery at Cassville. In the early 
fifties, Col. Akin built a home in the 
suburbs of Cassville. Two colleges, 
the Cassville Female College, built by 
the Methodists, for young women, and 
the Cherokee Baptist College, built by 
the Baptists, for the young men, were 
situated on either side of his handsome 
home. 

"Col. Akin was 36 years old when he 
married my sister Mary, just turned 
18 years. He was a kind brother and 
son-in-law, and was devoted to the Ver- 
derys. After Brother Thomas was 
killed at Fredericksburg, Va., in 1862, 
Col. Akin insisted that he be buried 
at Cassville, and this was done. Dur- 
ing the war the Yankees burned the 
colleges and Col. Akin's home. They 
took special delight in destroying the 
Akin place because Col. Akin was a 
member of the Confederate Congress; 
he had refugeed to Oxford, and later 
to Elberton. After the war. Col. Akin 
built a home in Cartersville, near Cass- 
ville, and resided there. My mother 
was visiting the Akins when she died, 



Anecdotes and Reminsicences 



343 



and since she had expressed the wish 
that she should rest beside Brother 
George, her wish was complied with. 

"Three years later — in 1875 — when 
my father, Augustus N. Verdery, and 
his sister, Mrs. Pleasant Stovall, of 
Athens and later Augusta, were living 
with us in Atlanta, they went to visit 
the Akins. My father died there and 
was buried beside my mother and my 
brother. My aunt, Mrs. Stovall, lived 
with us some years longer, and before 
she died said, 'Please bury me by my 
dear brother Augustus.' She was laid 
at rest beside him. My sister, Vir- 
ginia (Mrs. Dr. Hezekiah Witcher, of 
Cedartown), who died in 1900, and 
Oriana were buried with the family 
at Cassville in accordance with their 
requests." 

* * * 

JUDGE WRIGHT AND COL. 
SHORTER'S COTTON.— Partners of- 
ten fall out and go their respective 
ways thereafter. In ante-bellum days 
Judge Augustus R. Wright and Col. 
Alfred Shorter owned the bridges of 
Rome, and charged folks to cross them. 
An estrangement developed between 
the two men, and at a speech in Cedar- 
town, Judge Wright paid his respects 
to his former associate by declaring, 
"Alfred Shorter shears his sheep and 
turns them out to grow more wool." 

The break did not come until after 
the war, for we find these old Romans 
in substantial agreement on business 
matters during the conflict. Col. 
Shorter owned fertile farms in Ala- 
bama, Mississippi and Georgia, con- 
ducted several mercantile establish- 
ments, and each year grew better off 
than the year before. He had no time 
to waste, no bump of folly, no extrav- 
agances, few luxuries ; he had plenty 
of time for business, plenty of money 
for education and charity, lots of de- 
sire to listen to hard common sense. 
He could see an advantage or a disad- 
vantage in a trade in a minute, and 
was extremely cautious about going 
into enterprises; but once he was in, 
he put forward all his energies until 
success was assured. It has been said 
that the only man who ever worsted 
Col. Shorter in any kind of a large 
business transaction was Judge 
Wright. 

Col. Shorter was above age (58) 
when the Civil War broke out; he 
made arrangements to help the Con- 
federacy financially, and in the darker 
days just prior to the occupation of 
Rome in 1864 by the Union army, 
refugeed to a safer place in Thomas 



County. Naturally he couldn't carry 
his cotton with him, nor did he have 
time to dispose of it. Judge Wright 
was in the Confederate Congress, help- 
ing in an executive capacity to direct 
the war. The judge crossed the Po- 
tomac fi'om Richmond on some kind 
of a pass and laid before President 
Lincoln the question of Col. Shorter's 
cotton and Southern cotton in 
general, saying he wanted to save 
as much of it as possible from 
destruction by the Yankee army. Mr. 
Lincoln was deeply moved and gave 
Judge Wright a pass back through the 
lines, but said in effect: "I am sorry 
I can't furnish you men to transport 
it, but if you can arrange that detail, 
I will probably be looking the other 
way." 

Judge Wright had access to Rome 
and Col. Shorter's cotton. Alexander 
Thornton Harper, of Cave Spring, had 
made "contact" with the latter through 
the trust Col. Shorter reposed in him. 
The authority to dispose of the cotton 
was somewhat in doubt, but it was 
war times, and Judge Wright took 
the bull by the horns. Sherman was 
fast swooping down upon Rome with 
an appetite for material things, so 
Judge Wright loaded the cotton on 
freight cars, clambered aboard and 
set out for Savannah or other con- 
venient mart, and there disposed of it 
on a "commission" basis. 

Cotton was extremely valuable then, 
worth nearly a dollar a pound, and 
it was said Col. Shorter's lot brought 
around $50,000. Judge Joel Branham 
was authority for the statement that 
Judge Wright was twitted about CoL 
Shorter's cotton in a post-bellum po- 
litical campaign, and with characteris- 
tic directness replied, "Well, if I did 
steal Shorter's cotton, I left him 
enough to go on!" 

Col. Shorter was satisfied that he 
got anything at all, for otherwise the 
cotton would have been appropriated 
by the Yankee army to turn against 
the South, and he is said to have re- 
marked that under ordinary conditions 
neither Judge Wright nor any other 
man could do him up in a deal, and 
if Judge Wright would continue to 
transact business with him in peace 
times, he would consider the associa- 
tion highly desirable. 

* * -.1= 

THE TRAGIC DEATH OF VON 
GAMMON. — Few events have touched 
more profoundly the hearts of Ro- 
mans than the death of Von Albade 



344 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Gammon^-^ following a football game 
played at Brisbine Park, Atlanta, Sat- 
urday, Oct. 30, 1897, between the Uni- 
versity of Virginia and the University 
of Georgia teams. 

Von Gammon was born Dec. 4, 1879, 
at Rome. His paternal grandfather 
was Col. Wni. Gamble Gammon, Ten- 
nessee farmer and banker, who died in 
1895 at Rome and was there buried. 
His maternal grandfather was Maj. 
Jno. T. Burns, State Attorney General 
in 1869, who moved to Texas. His 
father was Jno. Aiken Gammon, Rome 
clothing merchant, and his mother was 
Rosalind Burns. An uncle was Wm. 
Melville Gammon, the first chairman 
in 1916 of the city commission. His 
older brother, E. Montague Gammon, 
was for several years principal of the 
Rome City Schools, and is now teach- 
ing at Savannah. Wm. G. Gammon, a 
younger brother, was killed more than 
20 years ago at Cartersville after 
playing a game of baseball with the 
Rome team, by falling under a freight 
train. Will lies buried in Myrtle Hill, 
Rome, by the side of Von. 

The Gammon home was a comfort- 
able two-story frame structure at 420 
Third Avenue, one block west of the 
P^towah river and a wash-hole which 
drew the Gammon boys and their 
young friends like a magnet. The home 
was on the upper edge of a lot that 
extended about 100 feet below the 
dwelling to the old Rome railroad 
tracks, and to the rear 300 feet to an 
alley. At the lower corner front, un- 
der a large sycamore tree, were two 
parallel tennis courts, which were al- 
ways full of players, and at the upper 
side was a green-carpeted bank which 
held the "audience." Nearby was a 
grassy spot where the boys tried their 
skill at wrestling, French and Amer- 
ican style. Of his age. Von Gammon 
was the best wrestler ; in fact, he was 
best at everything he tried — a typical 
young Greek god, and admired ex- 
travagantly as such without an ex- 
ception anywhere. "Ros," his young- 
est brother, sometimes known in fun 
by the nickname of the "Polk County 
one-eyed giant," was the best wrestler 
in his class, and game little Hunter 
McClure was not far behind him. 

The parents of the Gammon boys 
provided them with the latest things 
in the athletic line. On the back porch 
were the parallel bars and the punch- 
ing bag and boxing gloves; a down- 
stairs locker kept skates, baseballs, 
bats and mitts, football togs and bath- 
ing suits, tennis racquets, etc. ; and 



any boy who came without his own 
could dig into the Gammon collection 
and have what was there. In the back 
yard was the high-jumping and pole- 
vaulting apparatus, and nearby could 
be found the 16-pound shot which 
Von and "Monty" used regularly in 
practice. In the barn was located the 
flying trapeze for wet weather use. 
Once a year the barn was cleaned out, 
the boys of the neighborhood brought 
their shinny sticks, moved bales of hay 
and sacks of feed, and mowed down 
rats. In 1896 they killed 40-odd in 
15 minutes. 

The favorite game for the crowd 
was shinny, the forerunner of hockey 
and golf. Two sides tried to knock 
a wooden block through goals with 
wooden sticks. This game was played 
in a vacant lot near the Gammon 
place, across the railroad. Occasion- 
ally the tennis courts were cleared 
and all engaged in the games of "foot- 
and-a-half," "follow-the-leader" and 
"stinga-ma-ree." The grand climax 
came in two ways. Somebody would 
yell, "Let's go in washin'!" That was 
enough to break up any game except 
the one Mrs. Gammon favored, ex- 
pressed in this query as she appeared 
at the end of the porch : 

"Boys, do any of you eat pineapple 
sherbet?" 

Yum, yum — what good frozen things 

Mrs. Gammon did make, and nearly 

every time chocolate or cocoanut cake 

went with it! Truly, the Gammon 

place was the "honey pot" for the boys 

of Rome. The East Rome gang came 

occasionally, the Uptown gang, the 

South Rome gang and the West Rome 

gang; but the Downtown gang lived 

there, almost. The "mascots" of the 

Downtown gang were Archie McClure 

and Sam (Robt.) Maddox. Among the 

members were Walter, Wade and 

James Cothran; Barry and Laurie 

Cothran, Bob Harper, "Pat" Cline, 

Jim Jones, Ed., Linton, Dick, Frank 

and Jim ("Skinny") Maddox, Glover, 

Pierce, Ralph, Morgan and Frank Mc- 

Ghee, Carl Yeiser, Millard Parrish, 

Marshall Scott, Linton and James 

Vandiver, Ralph Carver, Claire J. 

Wyatt, Mayfield and Wm. Wimberly, 

Tom Quinn, Manning Marshall, Donny 

Hancock, Joel B. Peniston, Will Hoyt, 

George Pitner, Lindley and Hunter 

McClure, Wurts, Langdon and Hal 

Bowie, Cliff Seay, Claude and Johnny 

Saunders, Muff. Rob and Fox Word, 

George, Roy and Rob Rounsavillej 

*He was christened thus and the name ap- 
pears on his headstone, but he preferred to 
call himself Richard Von Gammon. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



345 



Will, Joe and Duke Fahy, Arthur and 
Boiling Sullivan. 

If other parents wanted to get rid 
of their boys, Mrs. Gammon was al- 
ways glad to "mother" them. She was 
a tall lady with a fine head of auburn 
hair, a most kindly smile, a fine sense 
of humor and a whole-soulness that 
made her a friend to every boy. On 
her lawn and under her watchful eye 
a splendid spirit of sportsmanship and 
play was developed; and in a large de- 
gree she was responsible for the spirit 
that Rom,ans have shown in the years 
that have followed. She urged her 
boys to do their best, no matter the 
consequences, and on every athletic 
field they excelled. "Monty" was 
known as the "strong man" of Rome. 
Some six feet six inches tall, he could 
throw the hammer or put the shot far- 
ther than anybody in town. At the 
North Rome Park field day in 1895 
or 1896 he threw the hammer so far 
that it hit Capt. J. W. Ewing between 
the shoulders. Capt. Ewing was car- 
ried from the field in a cab, but soon 
recovered. Von exhibited his strength 
that day by lying on his back and 
lifting "Monty" (feet in hands) en- 
tirely off the ground. 

Many a boy now a man remembers 
how "Monty" and Von took him in 
their arms, standing six feet apart, 
and tossed him from one to the other 
through the air, caught him safely 
and flung him back and forth. Von 
was of such heroic build and nature 
that many held it the highest privi- 
lege to stand in his presence, that they 
might do his bidding, or simply be 
free to admire his noble qualities. He 
never smoked, drank, cursed or got out 
of humor; he never lorded it over a 
boy of weaker build or took advantage 
of a fallen foe; his parents were in 
comfortable circumstances, but not 
wealthy, hence he was not proud of 
purse, nor would all the money in the 
world have changed him from the 
manly boy that he was. 

Bicycling having been taken up en- 
thusiastically by the young people of 
both sexes, a racing club of amateurs 
was formed at Rome, and it included 
Von Gammon, Frank Bowie, Will Fahy 
and others. Von got away with the 
most prizes. That was in 1896 and 
the summer of 1897. On August 24, 
1897, Von was due to have raced with 
the amateurs in Atlanta, but hurt his 
leg in practice and was unable to com- 
pete. R. D. Jackson won. In the pro- 
fessional class, Bobby Walthour, later 
national champion, defeated Anderson, 
and M. A. Elliott won the mile han- 



dicap in 2:07 1-5. The Rome Tribune 
of Friday, Oct. 1, 1897, reported: "Mr. 
Von Gammon left yesterday afternoon 
to enter the University. He will go 
into training for the football team and 
will add great strength to it." 

The year before, in the fall of 1896, 
Von had entered the freshman class at 
the University of Georgia, Athens, and 
had made the football team as quar- 
terback. He was regarded as one of 
the University's most promising ath- 
letes. In the autumn of 1897, W. Rey- 
nolds Tichenor, who had played quar- 
terback at Auburn the year before, 
entered Georgia. "Tick" was so small 
he could play quarter only, and Von's 
driving power was needed at fullback, 




VON ALBADE GAMMON, who died Sunday, 
Oct. 31, 1897, from injuries received Oct. 
30 in a Georgia-Virginia football game in 
Atlanta. 



346 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



so this change was made, and they 
were playing those positions when Von 
met his death. "Tick," now an attor- 
ney in Atlanta, and for many years a 
football referee, states that Virginia 
had scored 11 points and Georgia 4 
when the accident happened. Virginia 
had the ball, and sent a mass play 
over Georgia's left tackle. Von was 
playing behind the line, and he went 
under the play like he had been thrown 
from a catapult. When the players 
had been disentagled. Von was uncon- 
scious, and a substitute slipped upon 
him "Tick's" Auburn sweater. Miss 
Mary Connally, now Mrs. John Spald- 
ing, sent him a carriage blanket. He 
was taken from the field to the Grady 
Hospital, where he lingered 11 hours, 
and died at 3:45 a. m., Sunday, Oc- 

The game went on; Geo. Price* was 
shifted from right guard to fullback, 
and S. Ed. Bayless, of Kingston, placed 
at right guard. Virginia won it by 
the score of 17 to 4. After the game 
the Georgia players realized the con- 
dition of their comrade, and among a 
few of the alumni and supporters the 
cry of foul play was heard; a small 
crowd went to the Virginia hotel 
headquarters inquiring. "Where's Col- 
lier; we want Collier!" 

Such an imputation, according to 
Mr. Tichenor, was entirely unjust. 
There was no foul play; the field was 
hard and it is likely that Von's head 
hit the sun-baked clay as he fell un- 
der the struggling players, or it may 
have been that his head was kicked 
by somebody's shoe, just as likely by 
one of his own teammates. Tichenor 
also received injuries which necessi- 
tated his removal. 

The diagnosis of the doctors showed 
a fractured skull and concussion of the 
brain in the case of Von Gammon. 
He died at 18 years, in the flush of 
young manhood, and mourned by every- 
body. His father was with him a few 
minutes before the end, and his Spar- 
tan mother arrived shortly afterward. 

Seldom had news cast such a pall 
over Rome. The word was received 
as the good people were on the eve 
of entering the churches for their de- 
votional services, and the announce- 
ment was made from the pulpits. 
James Cothran carried the sad intel- 
ligence to the central church neigh- 
borhood and broke it to Von's sweet- 
heart, who expressed her great grief 
through her tears. The body was re- 
moved to the residence at 4:55 p. m., 
Sunday, where many friends gazed for 
the last time on the fine features of 
their hero; then the funeral was held 



at 11 o'clock Monday morning, Nov, 
1, 1897, from the First Presbyterian 
Church, the pastor, the Rev. Geo. T. 
Goetchius, officiating, assisted by the 
Rev. S. R. Belk, pastor of the First 
Methodist Church, and the interment 
was in the Branham addition of Myr- 
tle Hill cemetery. 

A number of college friends accom- 
panied the body to Rome, and mem- 
bers of the Bachelors' Club (or Pov- 
erty Hall Boys) acted as pallbearers 
between the station and the home, and 
as honorary pallbearers at the funeral. 
They sent a beautiful floral wreath, 
"Gates Ajar," a feature of which was 
a dove of pure white hovering over 
the lilies. The boys of the Virginia 
football team also sent a handsome of- 
fering, and the coffin was transform- 
ed into a bower of roses, carnations 
and their accompanying green. Offer- 
ings came from Atlanta and from the 
students at Athens and Auburn, Ala. 

The active pallbearers were Edward 
E. Pomeroy, Sam Carter, Jim Mell 
and Ed Lyndon, representing the Uni- 
versity of Georgia; and Walter and 
Laurie Cothran, Charlie Hill, Reuben 
Towers, Clifford B. Seay and Boil- 
ing Sullivan, from Rome. The bal- 
conies of the famous old church were 
well filled, as well as the ground floor; 
a larger crowd had never attended a 
funeral in Rome, and few eyes were 
dry at the conclusion. 

Von's teammates, led by the captain, 
Wm. B. Kent, occupied a pew in the 
center section near the front. The 
other players pi-esent were J. Threatt 
Moore, H. S. Walden, Brooks Clark, 
V. L. Watson and Lawton ("Cow") 
Nalley. Col. Chas. M. Snelling rep- 
resented the University faculty. 

Dr. Goetchius was so overcome that 
he made his remarks very brief; but 
they expressed the feeling of every 
sorrowing heart. He had in mind the 
sad fate of his own son, "Arnie" 
Goetchius, who a year or two before 
had been killed when he skated off a 
balcony, as a student at the Alabama 
Polytechnic Institute, at Auburn. 
Misses May and Carrie Clark and 
Messrs. Horace King and Dick Coth- 
ran sang "Some Sweet Day." A vast 
concourse of people rode or trudged 
to the cemetery. The water sprites 
of the Etowah, the Oostanaula and 
the Coosa piped a melancholy requiem 
far below, and the spirits of his an- 
cestors and the ancestors of his friends 
opened up their arms and received 

*Now connected with the insurance office 
of J. L. Riley & Co. in the Candler Building, 
Atlanta. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



347 



him with a warm embrace as he en- 
tered their beautiful subterranean re- 
treat. 

The following faced each other in 
the game : 

Georgia — — Virginia 

Clark, A., 1. e Martin, 1. e. 

Walden, 1. t Collier, 1. t. 

Clark, B., 1. g Templeman, 1. g. 

Bond, c Wallace, c. 

Price, r. g. ..Davis, r. g. 

Kent, (Capt.) r. t Marsh, r. t. 

Watson, r. e Estes, r. e. 

Tichenor, q. b Walsh, q. b. 

Jones, 1. h. b Hill, 1. h. b. 

Moore, r. h. b Carney, r. h. b. 

Gammon, f. b Morrison, (Capt.) f. b. 

According to the Atlanta Constitu- 
tion of Oct. 31, 1897, Von was injured 
in the middle of the field, on the left 
hand side, at the beginning of the sec- 
ond half. After six and a half min- 
utes, Hill, of Virginia, scored the first 
touchdown by bucking a yard. A 
touchdown counted four and a goal two 
at that time, and Templeman's goal 
made the score 6-0 in favor of Vir- 
ginia. After a punt to near the Vir- 
ginia line, Morrison punted and the 
ball hit Walden, of Georgia, in the 
breast, and rolled back of the line, 
where Capt. Kent, of Georgia, fell on 
it for Georgia's only score of the game. 
Tichenor failed at goal, and the score 
stood: Virginia, 6; Georgia, 4. From 
Georgia's 15-yard line Morrison kick- 
ed a drop-kick goal, which made the 
score 11-4. The half ended in a few 
minutes niiore. In the second half, Hill 
scored on an end run from the Geor- 
gia 25-yard line, and Templeman kick- 
ed goal. There was no further scor- 
ing, and the final was 17-4. After 
Von's injury, Tichenor retired; he got 
two hard clouts on the head, and Har- 
mon Cox took his place and played a 
good game. Kent made the longest 
run of the game, 40 yards, on a trick 
play in the first half. The accounts 
stated that the play was rough and 
injuries were frequent; that Georgia 
played gamely, but was outclassed by 
the heavy Virginians. 

Georgia's coach was Chas. Hallan 
McCarthy, old Brown fullback and 
now a college professor residing at 
Brookland, D. C. Glenn Warner, later 
Carlisle Indian school coach, had 
coached Georgia and Von Gammon the 
year before. Hugh Jennings, of 
Brooklyn's ball club, later of Detroit, 
was coach of the baseball team. Frank 
R. Mitchell was manager. A Mr. 
Izard was referee for the Virginia- 
Georgia game, and Wm. Martin Wil- 



liams, "Tick's" Auburn roommate and 
Commissioner of Internal Revenue un- 
der appointment by Woodrow Wilson, 
was umpire. Hatton Love joy, of Geor- 
gia, and a Mr. Smith were lines- 
men, and Fred Morton, of Athens, 
timekeeper. Dr. Bizzell, of Atlanta, 
and Dr. Samuel C. Benedict, of Ath- 
ens, attended Von on the field, and 
Dr. William Perrin Nicolson attended 
him at the Grady Hospital. 

Georgia's sponsors, driven in a car- 
riage behind four beautiful black 
horses, were Misses Dee Murphy (Mrs. 
Boykin Robinson, of New York, N. Y.) 
and Leontine Chisholm (Mrs. Walter 
P. Andrews, of Atlanta), and Vir- 
ginia's sponsors were Misses Callie 
Jackson and Catherine Gay (Mrs. In- 
man Sanders, of Atlanta). 

The Rome boys in college when Von 
Gammon met his death were: From 
the freshman class (1901), Wm. D, 
Hoyt, Jr., C. P. Morton and Robt. 
Yancey; from the junior class (1899), 
Laurence A. Cothran and J. Boiling 
Sullivan; from the senior class (1898), 
Benj. C. Yancey; and from the law 
class, R. P. White. Von had entered 
the class of 1900 the year before, but 
on account of some conditoins and late 
entry in the fall of 1897 was repeat- 
ing some of his work and was class- 
ed with 1901. 

The Rome Daily Argus of Sunday, 
Nov. 14, printed this from Savannah: 

"Captain Morrison, of the Virginia 
football team, writes a letter to the 
Savannah Press in reply to statements 
of its correspondent that the Virginia 
men deliberately tried to injure the 
Georgia players. 

"Capt. Morrison denies this charge 
and sends extracts from a letter writ- 
ten to him by Capt. Kent, of Georgia, 
thanking him for considerations shown 
the memory of Von Gammon, and 
wishing the Virginia team much suc- 
cess. 

"Morrison says the injuries sustain- 
ed by Tichenor and Gammon, of the 
Georgia team, were entirely acciden- 
tal and deeply regretted by the Vir- 
ginia team." 

Martin V. Bergen, Jr., old Prince- 
ton player and then coach of Virginia, 
wrote to a friend in Atlanta under 
date of Nov. 1, 1897, from Charlottes- 
ville, Va.: 

"The game was clean, hard played, 
but yet not a rough, foul game. Our 
men had been instructed to play fair- 
ly and did so, and you have my word 
on the fact that I saw no hitting at 



348 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 




THE HOME OF VON GAMMON, 420 THIRD AVENUE. 

The Gammon place was the mecca for the young men of Rome, ■who gathered 
to test their physical prowess in numerous ways. Tennis, weight exercises, wrestling 
and boxing were enjoyed here, while at the foot of the avenue was the wash-hole 
wrhich drew more boys than any in town. 



all, and no kneeing or such work. 

"Gammon was hurt while we had 
the ball, attempting to make a tackle, 
which precludes any probability that 
we were to blame. The play was a 
straight formation play. 

"We have done all we could to ex- 
press our regret — -sent flowers and 
messages, and our men are all broken 
up personally, as I am. 

"I write you this partly because I 
thought you would like to have my 
assurances of the character of the 
game and the absolute absence of 
either premeditated or actual rough 
play or intentional injury to men." 

The Georgia team and others dis- 
banded for the season. In the last 
session of the Georgia Legislature a 
bill had been introduced outlawing 
football, but it had failed of passage. 
Now a new attempt was made. A 
legislator said: "The boys at Athens 
will have to cut their 'wool' and sell 
the 5-cent cotton out of their pants." 
The bill would no doubt have been 
successful but for the intervention of 
Von Gammon's mother, who stated 
publicly that a mishap to an individ- 
ual should not be allowed to cut off 
the pleasure and profit of thousand 
of youths, and she declared to friends 
that she would sacrifice her other boys, 
if need be, to the cause of such body- 
developing and character-building con- 



tests.* The Georgia Legislatui-e had 
railroaded through an anti-football 
bill by a vote of 91 to 3, the Senate 
passed it Nov. 18 by 31 to 4, and it 
was up for Gov. Wm. Y. Atkinson's 
signature when Mrs. Gammon wrote 
the executive a letter which stayed his 
pen. An Atlanta dispatch to the Rome 
Tribune of Dec. 9, 1897, said: 

"The bill was passed soon after the 
killing of young Von Gammon, and 
the legislators felt that they were 
avenging his death by so promntl 
making future accidents of a similar 
nature impossible. But it turns out 
that Von Gammon came from a Spar- 
tan family and that neither his rela- 
tives nor friends are seeking that sort 
of vengeance. 

"It is the dead man's own mother 
who has induced the governor to veto 
the bill. Mrs. Gammon in her peti- 

*Mrs. Gammon's tenacity of purpose Is il- 
lustrated by the following incident of nearly 20 
years ago : One of the largest and most beau- 
tiful trees in Rome is an elm which grows out 
of the far sidewalk in front of the Gammon 
home, and also in front of Judge Jno. W. 
Maddox's abode. A telephone lineman came 
one day to cut off some limbs to make way 
for wires. Mrs. Gammon requested him to 
"spare the tree," — it was dear to her boys and 
everybody in the neighborhood. He said it was 
necessary to cut the limbs, and went away. 
When he returned with his saw, he found 
Mrs. Gammon sitting under the tree in a 
chair, with a double-barrel shotgun across her 
lap. The man went away again, and stayed 
away. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



349 



tion says that football was her son's 
favorite game, and that if he could 
be consulted he would join in the re- 
quest of his fellow students for the 
veto of the bill. 

"In her letter this heroic mother 
calls the governor's attention to the 
fact that two of her sons's school- 
mates. Will Reynolds and Arnie 
Goetchius* have recently met acciden- 
tal deaths, one by falling over a preci- 
pice and one by falling down stairs. 
She asks if it is not equally sensible 
for the legislature to abolish preci- 
pices and stairways on account of 
those deaths as it is to abolish foot- 
ball because of the death of her son. 

"Letters from all parts of the coun- 
try have poured in upon the governor, 
and the state has also been thorough- 
ly aroused. It has been argued that 
if football is prohibited at the Georgia 
University and the other colleges of 
the state, these institutions will be un- 
able to compete with the big schools 
of the north, where football is played. 

"One of the most forcible argu- 
ments for the veto is contained in the 
following paragraph from Mr. Gam- 
mon's letter to the governor: 

" 'You are confronted with the prop- 
osition whether the game is of such 
a character as should be prohibited by 

*Arnie Goetchius was on roller skates when 
he fell to his death. He was a good student 
and well liked by his classmates and the boys 
of Rome. Will Reynolds had gone with his 
family to White Cliff Springs, Tenn., neav 
Athens, for the summer vacation, and one 
Sunday afternoon while out walking with Miss 
Mattie Rowell and others of Rome he ventured 
too near a precipice and plunged to a ledge 
perhaps 100 feet below, taking with him Miss 
Rowell's parasol. Two mountaineers climbed 
down the steep mountainside, tied Will's life- 
less body to a pole and carried it between 
them to the top. In order to catch an early 
morning train for Rome, the funeral party 
were obliged to go down to the valley in hacks 
at night, by the light of pine torches and 
lanterns. Will was one of the most popular 
young men in Rome, and hundreds of sorrow- 
ing friends attended his funeral from the First 
Presbyterian Church. A sad circumstance con- 
nected with the tragedy was that his mother 
had intended leaving with her children on 
the day after the accident for a visit to her 
old home at Jacksonville, Ala. 

**The reference is to Dr. Chas. H. Herty, lor 
whom old Herty Athletic Field at Athens was 
named, and who wrote as follows : 'Tt stands 
as a fact which cannot be contradicted that 
active physical exercise is an absolute neces- 
sity. Even in cases of sickness, one of the 
best treatments a physician can give is to 
take exercise. Over three hundred young men 
confined to their books, with no well directed 
exercise, would in a year or two present a 
pitiable figure. It is in consequence of this 
that college faculties are forced into all kinds 
of schemes to give regulated and active exer- 
cise to their students. Some colleges, in order 
to avoid the rough forms of field sports, have 
large grounds for physical exercise, as well 
as thoroughly equipped gymnasiums. Even 
then certain forms of field sports are necessary." 



law in the interests of society. In an- 
swer, unquestionably it is not. In the 
first place, the conditions necessary 
to its highest development are total 
abstinence from intoxicating and stim- 
ulating drinks — alcoholic or other- 
wise — as well as from cigarettes and 
tobacco in any form; strict regard for 
proper and healthiest diet and for all 
the laws of health; persistent regular- 
ity in the hours of going to bed and 
absolute purity of life." 

Jas. B. Nevin, Jno. H. Reece and 
Wm. H. Ennis were Floyd County's 
representatives in the legislature that 
year. They made strenuous efforts to 
defeat the legislation after Mrs. Gam- 
mon had written Mr. Nevin as fol- 
lows from Rome under date of Nov. 
2, 1897: 

"Dear Mr. Nevin: It would be the 
greatest favor to the family of Von 
Gammon if your influence could pre- 
vent his death from being used as an 
argument detrimental to the athletic 
cause and its advancement at the Uni- 
versity. His love for his college and 
his interest in all manly sports, with- 
out which he deemed the highest type 
of manhood impossible, is well knov\^n 
by his classmates and friends, and it 
would be inexpressibly sad to have the 
cause he held so dear injured by his 
sacrifice. Grant me the right to re- 
quest that my boy's death should not 
be used to defeat the most cherished 
object of his life. Dr. Herty's article 
in the Constitution of Nov. 2d is time- 
ly, and the authorities of the Univers- 
ity can be trusted to make all needed 
changes for all possible consideration 
pertaining to the welfare of its stu- 
dents, if they are given the means and 
the confidence their loyalty and high 
sense of duty should deserve.** 

"Yours most respectfully, 
"VON GAMMON'S MOTHER." 

For several weeks the enemies of 
football trained the guns on the game 
through the newspapers, and its de- 
fenders replied. The Athens Banner, 
the ancient paper published at the 
seat of the University of Georgia, de- 
clared, "We do not favor a game where 
brutality steps in and usurps the place 
of athletic development; it was a dis- 
play of savagery which tarnishes the 
fair names of both of the great uni- 
versities represented in the contest." 

The Charleston News and Courier 
declared : 

"Football is worse than 'hazing' and 
'prize fighting,' both of which are pro- 
hibited in all well regulated colleges. 



350 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




ALL'S FAIR AT THE NORTH GEORGIA "EXPOSITION '^ 

^^ ^ . _..j: „>' «„ "Pparp"; Dart of the M 



ALL'S FAIR Al inr, l-^--;. „ r^'; "peace"- part of the Home-coming 
Claude H. Porter addressing "tr--^"^°"f,^^"tfck\nd Le^ J Langley after barbecue and 
crowd in the grandstand; Gov Thos. W "^^^^^^^^^"fai^^n^g Gov. Hardwick and a party of 
"Bevo"; George G. Stil", noted horseman a group cont^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ Smith-Cuyler, 

hospitable Romans; Lee J. Langley, mrs. «. 
elsewhere, the young carnival performers. 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



351 



Young men go to college to make use- 
ful citizens of themselves, not crip- 
ples. There are numerous 'manly' 
sports and athletic exercises which do 
not involve risk of lifelong injury or 
death as the price of indulging 
in them. If we must have football 
riots for the popular entertainment — 
pugilistic mills and bull fights and 
bear baitings being forbidden — let 
them be committed to professions. 
They are not adapted to the proper 
character and ends of college train- 
ing. They should be prohibited to 
their students by every college faculty 
without waiting for an untimely fu- 
neral to make the necessity of such 
action more obvious than it is al- 
ready." 

Other press comments, as repro- 
duced by Editor W. A. Knowles in 
the Rome Tribune of Nov. 9, 1897, 
follow : 

"The Georgia legislature should by 
all means at its present session pass a 
bill to prohibit football in this state." 
— Jackson Times. 

"Mrs. Gammon bears no ill-will to- 
ward the game because of her son's 
death, and requests that his death be 
not used to defeat the most cherished 
object of his life. She would have 
the game go on. But the lives of 
other worthy sons are to be consider- 
ed. It seems impossible to prevent 
brutality in the game by revision of 
the rules, hence the only thing to be 
done is to prohibit the game." — Savan- 
nah News. 

"Editor Stovall's opinion of football 
would be more expert and valuable if 
he had been bunged up in a game. He 

says: 

" 'No, I never played a game of foot- 
ball in my life and have no special 
interest in the matter. But if I had 
a son and he were afraid to go into 
a game because of the dangers of in- 
jury, I should be ashamed of him. I 
am sure young Americans are made of 
sterner stuff. Are we ready to or- 
dain tiddle-de-winks and lawn tennis 
as national games?' 

"If the son happened to be brought 
home mutilated or dead, we suspect 
that our friend would look at the mat- 
ter differently. There are plenty of 
ways other than brutal sport for a 
young man to exhibit his courage, en- 
durance and pluck." — Augusta Chron- 
icle. 

Gov. Atkinson vetoed the football 
bill on Dec. 7, 1897; no attempt to 



revive the measure was made and it 
expired with the ending of the session 
of the Legislature soon afterward. The 
governor was moved by Mrs. Gam- 
mon's letter and his own belief that 
the progress of the world necessarily 
brings suffering to a few. 

In his veto. Gov. Atkinson said: 
"Football causes less deaths than 
hunting, boating, fishing, horseback 
riding, bathing or bicycling. If we 
are to engage in legislation of this 
character now under discussion, the 
state should assume the position of 
parent, forbid all these sports to boys, 
make it a penal offense for a boy to 
engage in any of them, and for any 
parent to permit his child to engage 
in them. The government should not 
usurp all the authority of the parent. 
Yet this legislation is a long stride in 
that direction. 

"It would be unfortunate to entirely 
suppress in our schools and colleges a 
game of so great value in the physi- 
cal, moral and intellectual develop- 
ment of boys and young men. 

"The president of the university of 
one of our sister states said to me: 
'If these young men were not per- 
mitted to expend their exuberant 
spirits and excess of youthful energies 
in this way, they would find vent in 
carousals, debaucheries and • dissipa- 
tions.' 

"Chancellor Day, of the University 
of Syracuse, a Methodist institution, 
says: 'I do not feel like joining the 
universal outcry against the game. 
Football is encouraged by the faculty 
of Syracuse University. During my 
three years of office there has not 
been a serious accident on our field 
or to our team. I believe that some 
such game as football which contains 
elements of roughness and danger is 
necessary to the development of many 
young men in university, college and 
seminary. Its future, I am told by 
lovers of the game, is tending toward 
more open playing.' 

"Football would fail of one of its 
chief ends, in my estimation, if it did 
not teach the young men self-control. 
A man who goes through a season of 
being trodden upon and knocked down 
deserves fairly a diploma in the art 
of self-control. It is valuable disci- 
pline. Football in the university has 
been a source of gratification to the 
faculty and trustees. We rejoice at 
the high standard of scholarship kept 
up by the men in active play. One 
man who played the game during his 
entire course was able to keep up his 



352 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



work to the extent that the adminis- 
tration selected him as instructor in 
our institution after graduation." 

On Wednesday, Dec. 12, 1895, a 
group of friends of Von Gammon de- 
cided to play a free admission game 
of football on Christmas Day, Dec. 
25, at the North Rome Athletic Park. 
Cliff Seay was referee, Laurie Coth- 
ran umpire and Barry Cothran time- 
keeper. 

The line-ups: 

Harper, c Word, c 

Spiegelberg, q. b Saunders, q. b. 

McGhee, r. g Jones, r. g. 

Wynn, 1. g Jones, 1. g. 

Mitchell, r. t Quinn, r. t. 

Huffaker, 1. t Morris, 1. t. 

Maddox, r. e Smith, r. e. 

Maddox, 1. e Parrish, 1. e. 

Ledbetter, r. h. b Rounsaville, r. h. b. 

Fahy, 1. h. b Cline, 1. h. b. 

Vandiver, f. b Williamson, f. b. 

Substitutes — Turner and Maddox. 

Although the fond parents were 
bowed down with grief, there were 
many consolations in the loss of their 
devoted son. Mrs. Gammdn caused 
the news of Von's death to be print- 
ed in the native language in every civ- 
ilized country of the world. Into her 
scrapbook went the many written ex- 
pressions of sympathy. The faculty 
and students of the University met at 
the chapel, under the leadership of 
Chancellor Boggs, and resolutions 
passed there were signed by Harry 
Dodd (now of Atlanta), president of 
the Athletic Council; Paul H. Doyal, 
(of Rome), president of the Demos- 
thenian Literary Society; Macon Dud- 
ley, vice president of the Bicycle As- 
sociation, and Harmon Cox (of At- 
lanta and Chicago), for the Sigma 
Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Von was 
then a member of the freshman class 
(1901), and its committee — Robt. 
Yancey, of Rome; C. H. Story and 
J. A. Scruggs — also passed resolutions. 

A student correspondent wrote The 
Tribune from Athens Dec. 15 that Von 
was one of the most popular men in 
college, and that he had just been 
elected president of the Bicycle Asso- 
ciation, and was a member of the Phi 
Kappa Literary Society and the Sigma 
Alpha Epsilon college fraternity. And 
he added: 

"Rome is as usual well represented. 
Rome boys have always stood well at 
the university and the ones there now 
are endeavoring to keep up their good 

*Georgia had held Harvard two weeks before 
at Cambridge to a 10-7 score. 



reputation. They will be home for 
the holidays Dec. 23. 

"There are at present eight boys 
from Rome attending the college. 
These are: Ben C. Yancey, '98, Chi 
Phi fraternity and member of Phi 
Kappa Literary Society; Hugh White, 
'98, Sigma Nu fraternity and Phi 
Kappa; J. B. Sullivan, '99, Sigma Al- 
pha Epsilon and Phi Kappa; Paul H. 
Doyal, '99, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and 
Phi Kappa; Robert C. Yancey, '01, 
Chi Phi and Phi Kappa; Will" Hoyt, 
'01, Chi Psi and Phi Kappa, and C. 
P. Morton, '01. 

"Among the offices held by these 
boys may be mentioned: Editor in 
chief of 'The Georgian,' business man- 
ager 'Red and Black,' manager ten- 
nis team, manager track team, pres- 
ident Phi Kappa Society, 1st lieuten- 
ant and sergeant major in the bat- 
talion, two members of athletic coun- 
cil, editor in chief of 'Pandora,' vice 
president bicycle club and other small- 
er offices. 

"Two Romans belong to the literary 
club and two are on the track team; 
they took one first, one second and 
three third prizes in the field day a 
week ago." 



An exceedingly graceful act was 
performed by the authorities of the 
University of Virginia, the surviving 
members of the 1897 football team and 
others in subscribing $500 for a bronze 
plaque to Von Gammon and his moth- 
er. This memorial was presented in 
the University of Georgia chapel at 
Athens Saturday morning, Nov. 5, 
1921, 24 years after the game in 
which Von played. It was given into 
the hands of Chancellor David C. Bar- 
row and Prof. S. V. Sanford by an 
official of the University of Virginia, 
and Prof. Sanford has since acted as 
its custodian, pending selection of a 
particular spot to place it for all 
time. The plaque is circular in shape, 
about three feet in diameter, and 
shows the son gazing with love and ad- 
miration into the face of his mother. 
Among the Romans present at the ex- 
ercises were Walter S. Gothnan, J. 
Ed Maddox, Wilson M. Hardy, Barry 
Wrip;ht, Paul H. Doyal, Jas. P. Jones, 
Thos. D. Caldwell, Sam S. King and 
Thos. E. Clemmons. 

Incidentally, Virginia and Georgia 
played another football game that 
same afternoon on Sanford Mead, be- 
fore a big crowd, and the Red and Black 
of Georgia triumphed over the Old 
Gold and Blue of Virginia by the record 
score of 21 to 0.* 



Anecdotes and Reminiscences 



353 



WRIGHT WILLINGHAM'S CIR- 
CUS. — Romans all — or 500 of them — 
gathered at the Municipal Building 
Saturday, Jan. 1, 1921, on call of John 
M. Vandiver, president of the Cham- 
ber of Commerce, who thought a mass 
meeting and some oratorical prescrip. 
tions might make the farmers and ev- 
erybody else feel better over bad 
times. 

"There is too much pessimism!" as- 
serted B. I. Hughes. 

"There is not enough plain grit!" 
declared R. C. Sharp. 

"All pull together," suggested Hen- 
derson Lanham. 

"You don't know^ any hard times," 
said Judge John W. Maddox. "At the 
end of the Civil War we had nothing 
in Chattooga County but a broken- 
down steer that was not worth the 
Yankees' trouble to take away." 

The Rev. Elam F. Dempsey, pastor 
of the First Methodist Church, and the 
Rev. A. J. Moncrief, pastor of the 
First Baptist Church, were listening 
attentively from comfortable seats on 
the platform. Somebody shouted that 
it was time to give the bean-spillers 
a chance to be heard. No names were 
mentioned. 

Mr. Vandiver diplomatically ignored 
the suggestion by conferring in an un- 
dertone with a stage "confederate," 
after which he announced that Wright 
Willingham would speak. Col. Willing- 
ham's first shot woke the ministers 
up. 

"My friends, I ain't much of a pro- 
hibitionist, myself. I can fight bet- 
ter and talk better with a little en- 
couragement in me. Gaze at my friend 
Dr. Dempsey here on my right; he 
has been getting fat drinking tea. And 
as for old Dr. Moncrief there, he looks 
like he never had a drink in his life! 
Ha-ha!" 

When the rude guffaws of the audi- 
ence and the embarrassment of the 
ministers had subsided. Col. Willing- 
ham continued: 

"Judge Maddox may think just be- 
cause it didn't hurt to lose a leg in 
the war that a man's swollen jaw in 
the present contains no pain. My jaw 
hurts and there's no use to deny it. 
I'm just about as careful tackling this 
situation as I was going after a bull 
dog out at George Stallings' house 
during our own war here recently, 
when I was weak from influenza. I 
went to George's place in the sticks 
one night; had quite a time climbing 
fences, crossing race tracks in getting 



near the house, and when I thought 
I was there a great big dog came bow- 
wowing down the front walk in my di- 
rection. I could tell by his voice he 
was a bull dog. I was too weak to 
fight or run. There was only one way 
in the world, my friends, to stop that 
bull dog, and that was by diplomacy. 
With a prayer on my lips I stooped 
down and with all the graciousness at 
my command, I said, 'Here, doggie, 
here doggie, nice old doggie!' 

"I got away with it, and in 1921 
I'm going to be as diplomatic as I 
know how until I feel lots stronger 
than I feel now." 

Col. Willingham caused considerable 
merriment several weeks later by diag- 
nosing religious creeds in a speech. 

"My picture of religion up toward 
old Shorter hill is the picture of the 
shouting Methodists. I ain't ready to 
embrace that. And coming on down 
toward Broad Street we find the or- 
thordox Presbyterians. Why, my 
friends, the Presbyterians are so or- 
thodox that you couldn't pierce their 
orthodoxy with a Beg Bertha shell!" 

i'fi ♦ i'fi 

ROME'S WAR MAYOR.— The Tri- 
Weekly Courier of Jan. 3, 1861, pre- 
sented the following official count for 
the election of Dec. 31, 1860: 

For Mayor — Dr. Thos. Jefferson 
Word, 156; Zachariah Branscome Har- 
grove, Jr., 138. 

For Council — The Winners — A. R. 
Harper, 192; W. F. Ayer, 186; Chas. 
H. Smith, 172; Oswell B. Eve, 153; 
Jno. M. Quinn, 152; Nicholas J. Om- 
berg, 148. 

For Council — The Losers — Jno. W. 
Noble, 147; J. G. Yeiser, 144; A. Cald- 
well, 141; J. H. McClung, 134; Robt. 
T. Fouche, 122; J. W. Wofford, 104. 

Dr. Word was re-elected mayor in 
1861 for 1862, and his record was 
such that his friends championed his 
cause a third time; but he declined, 
saying that since no man had ever 
been mayor of Rome three times in 
succession, he would not care to break 
the precedent. Dr. J. M. Gregory was 
accordingly elected without opposition 
Dec. 29, 1862. His aldermen from the 
First Ward were J. C. Pemberton and 
Jos. E. Veal; from the Second, Albert 
G. Pitner and Wm. T. Newman, and 
from the Third, J. H. Cooper and Chas. 
H. Smith. Others who were put for- 
ward for Council and Aldermen were 
Reuben S. Norton, Robt. T. Hargrove, 
Jno. W. Noble, Dr. Joshua King, Gen. 
Geo. S. Black and Wm. Ramey. 



354 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 




LINDALE, A THRIVING FLOYD COUNTY TOWN. 

From the top, the Lindale Inn; the Auditorium, erected by the Massachusetts Mills of 
Georgia in honor of Lindale's sacrifices in the World War; the old Hoss mill, now deserted; 
beautiful Silver Creek, which divides Lindale in half and flows through the mill property, 
shown in the next; homes of mill employes, who are encouraged in every way to develop 



better citizenship. 



Encyclopedic Section 



ARMSTRONG (CHEROKEE) HO- 
TEL. — This noted structure stands at 
the southwest corner of Second Ave- 
nue and East First Street. It was 
built and opened by R. T. Armstrong, 
of Birmingham, Ala., at a cost of near- 
ly $150,000. The first floor walls are 
of gray granite and the four stories 
above of brick. It is owned by the 
Rome Hotel Co., of which concern the 
J. A. Rousavilles are the principal 
stockholders. For several years sub- 
sequent to 1900 the hotel was called 
The Cherokee, but recently the original 
name has been used. As long as the 
younger generation can remember its 
ground floor has sheltered a barber 
shop — first, Ned Huggins' (Ned was 
also sexton of the First Presbyterian 
Church), and now Slaughter McCain's 
— where enough hair and whiskers 
have been cut to fill the Armstrong. 
In the corner Dick Cothran conducted 
a brokerage business for quite a while. 

Some of the glories of The Arm- 
strong were recounted by W. S. Row- 
ell in The Tribune-Herald of March 
9, 1921, as follows: 

"The partial destruction by fire of 
one section of the Armstrong hotel 
early yesterday morning injures for a 
short time a building that has stood 
as an ornament to this city for more 
than 30 years. 

"When this hotel was constructed 
and opened, it was the largest and 
finest in Northwest Georgia. It was 
a veritable capitol, as hotels went in 
those days. It pushed Rome at one 
swoop from a town into the propor- 
tions of a city. 

"The annual banquets of the Mer- 
chants' and Manufacturers' Associa- 
tion were long famed for their feast- 
ing and their oratory. 

"Among those famous orators and 
notable men who have held forth here 
were Senators A. O. Bacon, A. S. Clay 
and Hoke Smith, of Georgia; Senator 
Broussard, of Louisiana; Congressman 
James Tawney, of Minnesota; John 
Temple Graves, Gordon Lee, Judge 
Wm. T. Newman, Seaborn Wright, 
Senator Burton, of Ohio; Congressman 
Jno. L. Burnett, of Alabama; Wm. J. 
Bryan, of Nebraska; David B. Hill, of 
New York, and a host of others that 
we cannot now recall. 

"The dining room of the hotel has 
been used as a ball room by the local 
cotillion club, since its organization, 



and many other clubs and dance or- 
ganizations used it. 

"When the hotel was first opened a 
large number of Rome's wealthiest and 
most prominent families left their 
homes and resided there. For a while 
it was the center around which the so- 
cial life of Rome revolved. 

"Many times since its construction 
the hotel has been on fire, but always 
heretofore the fire department has 
been able to control the flames. The 
inside architecture of the hotel was 
peculiarly sensitive to fire, being such 
as readily drew a draft to any part 
of the building. This class of hotel 
construction is now out of date." 

* -A- * 

BELGIAN COLONY.— In 1848 Gen. 
Louis Joseph Barthold LeHardy (Vis- 
count de Beaulieu), dissatisfied with 
political conditions growing out of the 
liberation of Belgium from the Unit- 
ed Neitherlands, left Brussels at the 
head of a company of Belgians to 
found a colony in the United States, 
for the purpose of engaging in agricul- 
tural pursuits. The old General and 
those members of his household who 
joined him were idealists to whom the 
songs of birds and bees in trees and 
clover constitued much sweeter music 
than the hum-drum strife of the Old 
World, so they turned their faces 
southward on reaching America's 
friendly shores. 

It is quite likely that they disem- 
barked at New York, asked for new 
country, were directed to Charleston 
and there sent by a Rome "Scout" to 
the heart of Cherokee Georgia. Rome 
was a place of some 3,000 inhabitants, 
and it stood out as the largest settle- 
ment in that corner of the state and 
a city which must grow fast. 

General LeHardy was a man ac- 
customed to army life and the hard- 
ships of the outdoors; his training had 
been along democratic, practical lines, 
and he welcomed an opportunity to re- 
move the restraints of political obliga- 
tions like a bird released from the 
cage. He turned his estate into cash 
and financed the colony across the At- 
lantic. In the party were his son, Ca- 
iiiille LeHardy, and family; his neph- 
ews, the sons of his brother, Compte 
Adolph LeHardy — Eugene LeHardy, 
21, and J. C. LeHardy, 17; Louis 
Henry Carlier, a civil engineer and Ca- 
mille LeHardy's brother-in-law; Prof. 



356 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



E. Gaussoin and daughter, Miss Elise 
Gaussoin, whom Henry Carlier married 
after they reached Rome; a Miss Rob- 
ert (pronounced like the French), who 
later mai-ried Max Van Den Corput, 
of Cave Spring, (Max Corput and 
Felix Corput, his brother, were also 
Belgians) ; and a number of others, 
perhaps a total of 25. General Le- 
Hardy, Camille LeHardy and Louis 
Carlier selected a farm tract three 
miles east of Rome, where in a low- 
land dip there was an abundance of 
fresh water bubbling from a dozen 
springs. This was on the Etowah 
River and included a productive bot- 
ton land full of arrow heads and bits 
of pottery, evidence that an Indian vil- 
lage was once there located. Included 
in their settlement were several men 
and women of the agricultural class. 
The others scattered; Eugene and 
Julius ("Jules") went to work in Rome, 
while a few of the Belgians set out 
stakes between the eastern foot of Mt. 
Alto and the Coosa River. Dr. L. M. 
E. Berckmans, another Belgian, was 
attracted to Rome by the exploits of 
his friends, the LeHardys, but he did 
not arrive until about 1870. 

The farming Belgians raised truck 
and fruit, especially grapes, and they 
sent their goods to the Rome market 
in little wagons drawn by ponies or 
mules. Everything they offered for 
sale was fresh and wholesome and put 
up in good style; the apples in nice 
boxes, the grapes covered with mos- 
quito netting, and their prices were as 
low as could be found. The law per- 
mitted of making wine out of grapes, 
and considerable wine was made. 

As in most cases where aristocrats 
attempt to go back to the soil, how- 
ever, the colony plan was not a suc- 
cess financially. The titled Belgians 
undoubtedly did their utmost with 
Dame Nature, but Her Highness, treat- 
ed to the picture of the grandeur of 
palaces and of refined tastes and tem- 
peramental dispositions, did not smile 
her favor upon them. The story is 
told that a fastidious young Belgian 
was in the habit of driving an ox cart 
to Rome, the while he was dressed in 
a summer suit of snowy whiteness, 
suede gloves and patent leather shoes. 
After some seven years, disintegra- 
tion of the colony, individually and 
collectively, set in. General LeHardy 
and Camille LeHardy and family left 
for Charleston, where they lived until 
1858, when they returned to Brussels. 
Dr. J. C. LeHardy went to live in Sa- 
vannah. Eugene LeHardy departed 
Jan. 2, 1861, for Europe to buy sup- 



plies for the Confederate Government, 
and was there marooned until after the 
Civil War. 

But a circumstance was eventually 
to arise which was to pile sorrow upon 
disappointment for the doughty Bel- 
gians. Camille LeHardy, it will be re- 
called, had married Rosine Marie 
Terese Josephine Carlier, a sister of 
Henry Carlier. Relations between the 
brothers-in-law were apparently pleas- 
ant enough to permit Mr. LeHardy to 
go back to Belgium and leave the coun- 
try place in the care of Mr. and Mrs. 
Carlier. Quite possibly Mr. Carlier 
never expected Mr. LeHardy to return, 
so that when he and his family did 
come back after the close of the war, 
friction arose between the two men 
over possession of the place. They 
continued to live together, but it was 
a house divided. According to the 
story told by Mr. LeHardy, Mr. Carlier 
would frequent throw rocks at him 
from the woods, and otherwise nag him 
and members of the LeHardy family. 
Finally one day Mr. LeHardy heard a 
commotion in the barn, and, rushing 
to the scene, found Mr. Carlier astride 
of and pummeling Henry LeHardv 
then 17. Mr. LeHardy went to the 
house and got a gun, and, poking it 
through a crack in the barn, fired and 
killed Mr. Carlier, whose body was laid 
to rest in Myrtle Hill cemetery. Mr. 
LeHardy's peaceful disposition, his un- 
blemished reputation and the attend- 
ant circumstances caused a jury to 
render a verdict of acquittal. 

The tragedy occurred in the sum- 
mer of 1870 and about eight years 
later Mr. LeHardy removed his family 
to Eagle Cliff, Lookout Mountain, near 
Flintstone, Walker County, Georgia, 
where he died March 6, 1888. He was 
the last of the Belgians at Rome, Eu- 
gene LeHardy, his cousin, having died 
there Dec. 27, 1874, and having been 
put to rest in Myrtle Hill. 
* * * 

BERRY INFANTRY.— A Civil War 
company organized by Col. Thos. W. 
Alexander, commanding officer, and 
named after Capt. Thos. Berry, Mex- 
ican War veteran and father of Miss 
Martha Berry, head of the Bel-ry 
Schools. 

On the eve of its departure for camp 
near Griffin, the company was pre- 
sented with a handsome battle flag by 
Miss Florence W. Underwood (Mrs. 
E. M. Eastman), a daughter of Judge 
John W. H. Underwood. 



Encyclopedic Section 



357 




NOTED GUESTS AT THE BERRY SCHOOLS. 

1 — Dr. Howard A. Kelly, of Baltimore, Md., in group on girls' campus. May 5, 1921. 
2 — Princess Caroline R. Radziwill among girls. 3 — President Theodore Roosevelt, Oct. 8, 1910, 
— a Republican with a background intensely Democratic. 4 — Miss Alice Nielsen in a group. 
5 — Dr. Albert Shaw, of New York, editor of the American Review of Reviews, and Mrs. Shaw, on 
visit Apr. 22-26, 1921. 6 — A group containing Miss Helen Keller. 



358 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



BOOTEN & HARKINS' CAVALRY 
COMPANY.— The following officers 
were listed in the Tri-Weekly Courier 
of Apr. 20, 1862: 

Daniel F. Booten, captain; John 
Harkins, 1st lieut. ; A. J. Bearden, 2d 
lieut.; N. C. Napier, 3d lieut.; M. A. 
Ross, orderly sergt. 

* * * 

BROAD STREET "INHABI- 
TANTS."— Now and then an old-tinie 
chronicler comes back to Rome and 
takes note of the many changes in bus- 
iness locations. In order that the pres- 
ent occupants may "write their own," 
the following list of establishments 
and individuals (furnished by R. V. 
Mitchell)* for 1922, is herewith set 
down. The chronicler starts at the 
foot of Broad (Etowah River) and 
walks northward through North Rome. 
On his left at 1 and 3 Broad is the 
market produce establishment of 
Stamps & Co., after which the 100 block 
starts, and continues to Second Ave- 
nue; the 200 block starts at Second 
and ends at Third, and so on. 



Left 

101- 
1011 
103- 
105- 
107- 



Hand Side~100 (Shorter) Block. 

-Holder Coal & Lumber Co. 

!> — Rome Musical Center. 

-J. P. Reid Wholesale Grocery. 



Gibson & DeJournett, wholesale 
grocery. 
109 — Montgomery & Co., wholesale gro- 
cery. 
Ill — Scoggins Furniture Co. 
McGhee Cotton Co. 
R. J. Ragan, wholesale grocery. 



113- 
115- 
117- 
119- 

121- 



-J. L. Brannon & Co., wholesale 

grocery. 
-Arrington-Buick Co. 

200 (Noble) Block. 
201— First National Bank. 

Rome Chamber of Commerce, 
Floyd County Farm Bureau and 
Boy Scout headquarters (in 
rear). 
Rome Book Store Co. 
McGhee Tire Co. 
Floyd County Bank. 
4— Drs. M. M. McCord and Carl 
L. Betts. 
Griffin-Cantrell Hardware Co. 



205 
107 
209 
2091/ 



211- 
213- 
215- 
2151 



217- 



-Newark Shoe Store, 
i— Frank W. Copeland, Nat Har- 
^ ris and Wm. H. Ennis, attor- 
* neys. 
-Wyatt Book Store. 



*The telephone directory has also been free.-y 
consulted. 



219 — McGinnis & Welch, lunch room. 

221 — Edward A. Farley, clothing. 

223— S. H. Kress 5 and 10-cent store. 

225— Elite Motion Picture Theater. 

225%— Drs. L. F. McKoy and J. I. 
Todd, dentists. 

227— Citizens' Bank. 

227— Will S. Hawkins, tailoring and 
haberdashery. 

229— M. M. J. Mendleson, tailor. 

231 — Nixon Hardware Co. 

2311/. — McCrary & Co., photographers. 

233— Strand Motion Picture Theater. 

235— H. B. Parks Co., crockery. 

237-239— W. M. Gammon & Son, cloth 
ing. 

241-243— Owens & King, gents' fur- 
nishings. 

2431/2— Dr. J. S. Daniel, dentist. 

247 — Daniel Furniture Co. 

300 (Nevin's Opera House) Block. 

301 — Piggly Wiggly, retail grocery. 

303— Allen Jewelry Co. 

Dr. Geo. B. Wood, optometrist. 

305 — Johnston Hardware Co. 

3051/2— Drs. J. Turner McCall and J. 
H. Mull, physicians; Dr. A. F. 
Daniel, dentist. 

307-309-311- Ira A. Watson Salvage 
Co., dry goods and groceries. 

311% — Quick Lunch stand. 

313— F. W. Woolworth Co., 5 and 10- 
cent store. 

315 — Porter Phillips, soft drinks. 

323 — Second Precinct Police rest room. 

325 — Rome Supply Co., electric outfits 
and plumbing. 

327 — E. A. Leonard, dry goods. 

329— Walker Electric & Plumbing Co. 

331 — Henry Powers, shoes. 

333 — Fred M. Henderson, retail gro- 
cer. 

3331/2— Todd & Hickman, tailoring and 
pressing. 

335 — Rome Shoe Hospital. 

337— Palace Barber Shop. 

337%— Drs. Geo. B. Smith and Wm. 
J. Shaw, physicians. Shoe 
shine parlor and news stand. 

339 — McGinnis', cigars, soda, lunch. 

400 (Old City Hall) Block. 

401 — Lanham & Sons' Co., dry goods. 
Eugene Logan Kandy Kitchen. 

403 — Broadway Motion Picture .Thea- 
ter. 

407 — Friedman Co., dry goods. 

409— Paris Cafe. 

409%— W. P. Bradfield, contractor. 
Wilkerson Realty Co. 

411 — L. H. Esserman, dry goods. 

413 — Boston Shoe Store. 
Liberty Shoe Shop. 
Lewis Barrett, barber shop (c). 

417— Watson Shoe Store. 



Encyclopedic Section 



359 



419 — Culpepper, Storey & Co., gents' 

furnishings. 
41914— Rome Tribune-Herald. 
421 — M. Rosenberg, dry goods. 
423 — Watson's grocery. 
425-427 — Esserman & Co., dry goods 

and shoes. 
429%— Drs. R. H. Wicker, Henry A. 

Turner, Roland D. Russell and 

A. W. Wright, physicians. 
431 — Sam McKinney, meat market. 
431— Fifth Avenue 'Drug Co. 

500 {Hargrove-Bosworth) Block. 

501 — National City Bank. 

503— L. W. Rogers Grocery Co. 

503% — Industrial Life and American 
National Life Insurance Com- 
panies. 

505 — Buehler Bros. Market. 

511 — Purity Ice Cream Co. 

Isoni Jones' Restaurant (c). 
Guarantee Shoe Repair Shop. 
Asa Johnson's Barber Shop (c). 

513 — Rome Co-operative Drug Co. (c). 
Dr. C. T. Cain, physician. 

515 — Rome Fish Produce Co. 

517 — Paul Henderson, grocer. 

525-533— Best Motor Car Co. 

535-537— Woco Oil Co. 

600 Block. 

Standard Oil Co., gasoline and 
oils. 

700 Block. 

700 — Gulf Refining Co., gasoline and 
oils. 

1600 Block. 

Atkinson & Jolly, genei'al mer- 
chandise. 

Right Hand Side— 100 (Etoivah) 
Block. 

100— Chero-Cola Bottling Wjorks. 

100%— Shrine Club and Dance Hall. 

102 — Consolidated Grocery Co. 

1 04 — McCord-Stewart, wholesale gro- 
cery. 

106 — Mann Bros., meat market. 

108— People's Cafe (Tony Vincenzi). 

110 — I. M. Adams, meat market. 

110% — E. R. Fishburne, watch re- 
pairer. 

112— 

114 — Rome Hardware Co. 

116 — A grocery warehouse. 

118 — Empire Lunch room. 

120 — Sam Bredosky, shoes. 

122— New York Slioe Stores. 

124 — American Lunch Room (c). 

126 — Fred Huffman, shoe repairer. 

128 — Harris & Vann, meat market. 

130— Norton Drug Co. 

130%— Drs. Ross P. Cox, J. C. Watts 
and A. C. Shamblin. 
200 (Verancla-Yancey) Block. 

200 — Curry-Arrington Drug Co. 



202— Bartlett Automotive Co. 

204— Miller Shoe Co. 

206— Lesser Bros., dry goods. 

208 — L. W. Rogers, retail grocery 

208%— Dr. J. D. Moreland, dentist; 

Dr. J. J. Farmer; H. E. Beery, 

attorney. 
210— The Bee Hive, dry goods. 
212— Burnes-White Mercantile Co., 

wholesale grocers. 
212% — Henson Pressing Club. 
nlt~T^'^\ '^- Pilson, Jr., groceries. 
Zlb — Holder's 5 and 10-cent store. 
218 — Misses Hawkins, millinery. 

222— Busy Bee Cafe. 
224— Central Barber Shop. 
226— Exchange National Bank. 

Burney's Department Store. 
228-230 — 

232-234— Fahy's Store, dry goods. 

^36-238 — J. Kuttner, dry goods. 

238%— Dr. A. A. Orr, dentist. 

240— Cantrell & Owens, shoes. 

242-244— Miller's Cash Store, dry 
goods and clothing. 

246 — R. L. Williamson Jewelry Co. 

250— S. P. Coalson Co., general mer- 
chandise. 

300 {Medical Building-Masonic Tern- 

pie) Block. 
300— Hale Drug Co. 
300%— Drs. Henry H. Battey and 

Robt. 0. Simmons, physicians; 

Dr. T. L. Morgan, dentist; 

Henry Walker, lawyer. 
302— 

304— Wyatt Jewelry Co. 

306— A. Pintchuck, tailor. 

308— City Supply & Vulcanizing Co. 

Brown Transfer Co. 
310 — Reagan's Barber Shop, 
312 — Graves-Harper Co., coal. 

E. J. Moultrie, real estate. 
314— New York Hat Shop. 
316 — Rome Pawn Brokers. 

Sam Williams' lunch room. 
Shoe shine parlor. 
318— Miller's Electric Shoe Shop. 
324— Misses Belle & Estelle Cato, mil- 

linery. 

324%— Claude H. Porter and W. B. 

Mebane, and Jno. W. Bale and 

Joe Lesser, lawyers; Judge Geo. 

S. Reese, justice of the peace; 

Clarence J. Mull, lawyer. 

326 — E. S. and Paul Nixon, music 

store. 
328 — Singer Sewing Machine Co. 
330 — Reese's Garage. 
332 — E. R. Fishburne, watch repairer. 
334 — Orr Art Studio, photograph gal- 
lery. 

W. A. Mullinix Shoe Shop. 
334% — Jno. P. Davis, real estate; 
Jno. Camp Davis, lawyer; Jas. 



360 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 




^ '^<*^ >%* 







A STUDY IN BETTER CITIZENSHIP. 



"Human products of the soil" at the Berry Schools, Mt. Berry (via Rome), m Floyd 
County Ga. At the top is the boys' band, which is a "wind-jamming" organization without 
a peer in the state. In the center is a field day group receiving medals from the girls, and 
the onlookers are the children of Georgia farmers. In the oval is the champion baseball team. 



Encyclopedic Section 



361 



P. Jones, lawyer; C. N. Feath- 
erston and C. Ii'ving Carey, 
lawyers; Linton A. Dean and 
Lamar Camp, lawyers. 

338-340— Jervls-Davidson Co., drugs 
and tea garden. 

334-340— (In Masonic Temple). 

400 (Lumpkin-Empire) Block. 

400— Southern Bell Telephone & Tel- 
egraph Co. Exchange. 

408— McCartha Bros. Garage. 

410— Blue Ribbon Shoe Shop. 

A. Victor, confectionery and 
lunch room. 

412 — Rome Bakery. 

414— R. A. Jones Marble Co. 

416-418 — McBrayer Bros. Furniture 
Co. 

420-422— McDonald Furniture Co. 

424 — Franklin Auto Supply Co. 

424 iX; — Willingham, Wright & Coving- 
ton, lawyers. 

428 — Harvey-Given Co., real estate. 

430— Hotel "Forrest Building. 
The Flower Shop. 
Hotel Forrest Barber Shop. 
Sam J. Davis, real estate and 
insurance. 

Woodmen of the World, W. A. 
Keown, clerk. 

Hale-Brannon Co., real estate. 
Frank Salmon Piano Co. 

500 {Buena Vista) Block. 

500 — Parsons & Ward, life insurance. 

Updegrove Marketing Co. 
502-504— Howell-Cantrell Furniture 

Co. 
506 — Misses McGinnis, millinery. 
508— Howell-Cantrell Undertaking Co. 
510 — Hape Sing Steam Laundry. 
512— Franklin Meat Market. 
514— Rome Cafe (c). 
516 — Rome Pressing Club (c). 
518 — Smith-Malone Barber Shop (c). 
520 — Auto Repair Co. 
522-524 — E. E. Lindsey, automobiles. 
526—0. W. Curtis, undertaker, (c). 

Drs. Eugene W. Weaver and J. 

W. Sams, physicians, (c). 
528.530— Curtis Cafe (c). 
532-534— Daniell's Garage. 

E. L. Adams Motor Car Co. 

J. H. Carroll Auto Repair Co. 
536— Keith-Gray Grocery Co. 

600 Block. 
600 — Texas Co., gasoline and oils. 

800 Block. 
800— Rome Railway & Light Co. 

1000 Block. 
1010— W. G. Duke, grocery, (c). 
1100 Block. 

1100 — Florence Restaurant (c). 

Dozier Undertaking Co. (c). 



P. D. Q. Dyeing & Cleaning Co. 
(c). 

1300 Block. 

1310— Howell Grocery Co. No. 2. 
1500 Block. 

1502— Harvey Chair Co. 

Standard Marble Co. 
1506— F. M. Scott Coal Yard. 
Byrd's Engine Mills. 

J. W. Mullinix, shoe shop. 

1800 Block. 
1806— Harper Mfg. Co. 

1900 Block. 
1904 — Harry Brooks, grocery. 

On South Broad Street, South Rome, 
may be mentioned the following estab- 
lishments, nestling close to Myrtle 
Hill cemetery: 

East Side. 

1 03 — Colegate-Calloway Confectionery 
and Ice Cream Parlor. 

113— Beard & Helton Garage. 

123 — Thos. Warters Cigar Factory. 

133— C. O. Walden, grocery. 

102— Dry Cleaners (c). 

Ever-Ready Garage. 

104— Sims' Barber Shop (c). 

206— H. J. Klasing Carriage Works. 

310 — Frances Berrien Hospital. 

420 — August Vincenzi, fruits and gro- 
ceries. 

601— Howell Grocery Co., No. 1. 
* * * 

BURIED TREASURE.— There are 
various tales of buried treasure and 
frenzied hunts around Rome. North- 
ern soldiers dug into an old cemetery 
in North Rome, later abandoned. Now 
and then somebody gets an idea old 
Dr. Berckmans was rich, and disturbs 
the ruins of his retreat on Mt. Alto, as 
they do the sacred precincts of Gen. 
Burwell's deserted home near Hell's 
Hollow. Virgil A. Stewai't tells how 
his father, Samuel Stewart, used to 
receive from the Indians gifts of pieces 
of gold, lead and tin which they could 
produce at any tim,e by going out on 
the trail for four hours. White men 
often tried to follow the Indians to 
these treasure beds, but the redskins 
were too nimble for them, and the 
secret is supposed never to have been 
discovered. 

James Foreman, an Indian, was 
brought back from the west after the 
war by the Nobles to locate precious 
metals and ores. He searched some 
time, but claimed the face of the coun- 
try and the forests had changed, and 
he could not find anything. The forks 
of the rivers were thought to be a 



362 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



good direction point, but this did not 
help him. 

James went to gardening for Mrs. 
F.obt. Battey. She showed him one 
day how to set out okra seed. When 
the plants came up they were too close 
together, for which Mrs. Battey re- 
buked him. James was half full of 
"fire-water," and he replied with a 
fiendish grin, "Do you know I'm an 
Indian?" She replied, "Do you re- 
member my father, William Smith? He 
often whipped Indians bigger than 
you!" 

James soon went back to his tribes- 
men. He told Horry H. Wimpee while 
he was here that Coosa meant "rip- 
pling water" or "where two waters 
meet," Oostanaula meant "mother of 
waters" or "clear water," and Etowah 
meant "muddy bottom." These mean- 
ings are doubtful. "Etowah" is said to 
mean "high banks." 

Will Mitchell tells of a spooky hunt 
for buried treasure. Looking wistfully 
from a window of the North Rome 
Public Schools one day when he was 
a boy, wishing he could be out where 
the birds were singing so sweetly, he 
saw two men drive up to the front of 
the school lot and measure off a cer- 
tain distance from a tree, and then 
measure from another tree. Inquiry 
next morning of a negi-o family living 
near the school disclosed that at mid- 
night two men had driven up in a 
buggy and gone to digging by the light 
of a lantern, and sure enough — by 
looking down the hole Will could dis- 
cern plainly the print of a tin or steel 
box which had been removed. 

A Cherokee Indian, Holland, came 
to Rome between 1874 and 1880, prob- 
ably from Indian Territory, looking for 
minerals. He may have 'been the In- 
dian who went to the Sproull place 
on the Kingston road and told Capt. 
C. Wm. Sproull that he had a chart 
which showed where buried treasure 
was located and would give him half 
if they found anything. The Indian 
stepped off distances from certain 
large trees, made cross marks on the 
ground and finally came to the black- 
smith shop. His chart showed that the 
treasure was supposed to have been 
hidden under the anvil. The anvil was 
moved and the Indian and a negro dug 
a deep hole, but without success. 

♦ -i- ^ 

CARLIER SPRINGS.— On the Chu- 
lio road, three miles east of Rome. 
Here in 1848 Gen. L. J. B. LeHardy, 
Camille LeHardy, Louis Henry Carlier 
and others started a Belgian colony. 



with the idea of housing other colon- 
ists from Belgium if the venture 
proved a success. The Belgians built 
a two-room log house and several out- 
buildings, and lived there perhaps 
seven years. Around the springs was 
a tract of 100 acres which extended to 
the Etowah River. J. J. Cohen ac- 
quii-ed it later, and sold to Geo. M. 
Battey, who about 1890 sold to his 
father. Dr. Robert Battey, who died 
there in 1895. S. R. Cockrill, a grad- 
uate of Cornell University, now con- 
ducting a truck farm on the Alabama 
road near the North Georgia Fair 
Grounds, bought the place from Mrs. 
Martha Battey, having lived in a cabin 
on a part of it for some years pre- 
viously. The present owner is Mrs. 
Ella Tarvin. 

In a two-story frame house on this 
place Mrs. Battey established about 
1894 a small school for the neighbor- 
hood children, and maintained it at her 
own expense. Sunday School under 
Methodist auspices was held on Sun- 
days. The day school later was taken 
over by Floyd County and called the 
Battey Heights School, and in time 
was removed to another building in 
the neighborhood. 

There is a suggestion of the old 
world on this place for which the Bel- 
gians were not responsible. Many 
years ago Godfrey Barnsley, the Eng- 
lishman who developed Barnsley Gar- 
dens near Adairsville, brought from 
the grave of Napoleon on the Island 
of St. Helena a willow switch which 
he transplanted on his Bartow Coun- 
ty estate. Some years later he pre- 
sented an off-shoot of this willow to 
Mrs. Battey and she planted it on or 
near a pond at Carlier Springs, and 
there it is today in the form of quite 

a willow tree. 

* * * 

CARNEGIE LIBRARY.— Erected 
in 1911 with funds donated by Andrew 
Carnegie, of Pittsburg, Pa.; 7,000 vol- 
umes; nearly 5,000 members; main 
story and basement devoted to meet- 
ings of the U. D. C, Floyd County 
Camp 368 of Confederate Veterans, the 
Junior Music Lovers' Club, Woman's 
Club, Girl Scouts and other organiza- 
tions and conventions. Librarian since 
establishment. Miss Helen Underwood 
Eastman ; board of trustees. Judge 
Max Meyerhardt, president; Mrs. J. 
Lindsay Johnson, vice president; W. 
Sinclair Rowell, seci'etary; Mrs. Jno. 
C. Printup, Mrs. J. A. Rounsaville, 
Mrs. Perrin Bestor Brown and Prof. 
Byard F. Quigg. Located on city prop- 
erty on west side of Broad Street be- 



Encyclopedic Section 



363 




SCENES ON THE BERRY SCHOOL CAMPUS. 

At top, a dormitory built by the boys; in oval, the log cabin on the Thos. Berry place, 
where the idea of the institutiot< originated in small classes taught by Miss Martha Berry'; 
the handsome chapel, inside which is a blank tablet to be engraved at the anonymous donor's 
death; at bottom, the "shack" where Col. Roosevelt, Wm. G. McAdoo, Dr. Albert Shaw and 
a host of noted men and women have been entertained. 



tween Sixth and Seventh Avenues, 
next to and north of the City Audi- 
torium. 

* * * 

CAVES AROUND ROME.— The 
best known cave in Floyd County is 
at Cave Spring, sixteen miles south- 
west of Rome. From this flows a 
spring that is an important part of 
Little Cedar Creek, and from which 



the town is supplied with pure, spark- 
ling water through a ram, at practi- 
cally no cost. Entrance is effected in 
a steep, rocky bluff immediately above 
the point whence the water issues, and 
still higher is a second opening, lined 
with rusty brown boulders. It is pos- 
sible to go quite a distance down on a 
ladder. Water and beautiful stalac- 
tites and stalagmites are found; it is 



364 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



said thei'e are small blind fish in the 
miniature lake of the interior. Thou- 
sands of people visit the cave yearly 
from all directions. 

On a ridge equidistant between the 
old Lytle Park in South Rome and De- 
Soto Park, back of the home of J. 
Nephew King- and on his land, is what 
used to be known as Jonas King's cave. 
This is easily entered and candles or 
lamps reveal a large, irregularly 
shaped compartment, at the bottom of 
which flows a small stream. There 
are several smaller compartments con- 
nected by tunnels which must be crawl- 
ed through on the stomach. At cer- 
tain intervals during the Civil War 
this cave was used as a "magazine" 
for the storage of gun powder made 
from the salt peter in Bartow Coun- 
ty, and for other war materials. 
At one time also the magazine had 
been located on Myrtle Hill cemetery 
near the section which now contains 
the mortal remains of 277 Confeder- 
ate soldiers. The entrance of this cave 
is in a small oak grove and is free 
from obstructions. 

Rome's so-called "salt peter cave" is 
about half a mile north of Recce's 
spring, in North Rome. This is ob- 
scured by a heavy growth of under- 
brush in the center of a cultivated 
field. Small boys say the Oostanaula 
River, perhaps a mile and a half away, 
can be reached through the cave, but 
nobody has ever ventured to explore it 
to that extent. In 1854 it was called 
Nix's Cave by White's Historical Col- 
lections of Georgia. 

Mitchell's cave, named after Daniel 
R. Mitchell, is located in the face of 
Whitmore's Bluff, nine miles up the 
Oostanaula River. A cool stream of 
water flows out of it and treakles 
laughingly down the mountainside to 
the silvery Oostanaula. White's Col- 
lections called it Woodward Cave and 
stated it was once a noted cache for 
stolen goods. 

Another cave of some interest can 
be found on Black's Bluff, three miles 
down the Coosa River. It was ex- 
plored more than a year ago by a 
group of Boy Scouts. 

A large cave is located in Turkey 
Mountain, northeastern end of Texas 
Valley, and another of some size in 
Texas Valley is on the farm of the late 
J. J. Fisher. 

William Salmon's place, quarter of 
a mile south of Armuchee Creek, on 
the Summerville road, contains a cave. 

When Rome was first settled a cave 
was found in the northern part of Myr- 



tle Hill cemetery, and Indian relics 
and skeletons were discovered. 

On May 23, 1922, a cave was found 
on the Peek place 1,000 feet south of 
Bird Station, quarter of a mile from 
the Polk County line. It was explored 
by County Engineer Kieffer Lindsey 
and County Commissioner J. E. Camp^ 
who found it to be 30 feet deep and 
20 feet wide at the bottom. The walls 
were smooth and composed of hard 
shale rock, and they tapered into a 
cone. shape toward the top. Mr. Lind- 
sey was the first man who had ever 
entered it, for the earth at the open- 
ing had just given away when he was 
called. He threw a lighted newspaper 
to the bottom. The paper exhausted the 
oxygen, so when he went down by rope 
his lantern was extinguished. His 
opinion was that the place had been 
a lime-sink and the lime had worn 
away through erosion, leaving an un- 
derground chamber as perfectly form- 
ed as the cupola of a knight's castle. 
* * * 

CAVE SPRING, MONTGOMERY 
M. FOLSOM ON.— "At last we as- 
cended a rising ground, from which we 
could see the tapering spires and arch- 
ing roofs of the most beautiful town 
in Georgia. There sat Cave Spring 
like a happy school girl, framed in a 
setting of green and gold, with the 
deep blue sky and the purple hills of 
the Coosa in the background; Little 
Cedar Creek bubbling melodiously at 
her feet; the vine-clad summits of the 
hills rising overhead; the streets wind- 
ing leisurely along through verdant 
bowers, under spreading branches and 
over grassy levels; each happy home 
nestled cozily among the yards and 
gardens, orchards and vineyards. It 
was a scene once beheld never to be 
forgotten." 

CAVE SPRING, HENRY W. GRA- 
DY ON.— Henry W. Grady, traveling 
with the Georgia Press Excursion be- 
tween Rome and Selma, Ala., wrote 
as follows for the Sept. 10, 1869, is- 
sue of the Rome Weekly Courier: "Our 
first stop was made at Cave Spring, 
and all hands made a flying visit to 
the cave, and to many of the party 
it was quite a show. From the cave, 
many visited the Asylum for the Deaf 
and Dumb, and all united in pronounc- 
ing Cave Spring one of the most beau- 
tiful spots in all the land, but were at 
a loss to understand why the railroad 
did not pass through the town. I will 
not repeat the sad story of old fogy- 
ism that was related to us as a rea- 



Encyclopedic Section 



365 



son. Suffice to say, propei'ty sudden- 
ly became valuable, right-of-way a ter- 
rible obstacle, and the boss of the road 
simply made a little curve, and went 
around our forest village." 

CAVE SPRING, COL. JNO. L. 
MARTIN ON.— Col. Jno. L. Martin 
wrote as follows of Cave Spring in 
the Anniston (Ala.) Hot Blast in 
1888: 

"There is no more beautiful inter- 
vallation in all the Blue Ridge chain 
of mountains than Vann's Valley, and 
its most charming scenery is in and 
about Cave Spring*. No one, unless 
he be a dullard, can look upon the out- 
stretching panorama of Vann's Valley 
without being lastingly impressed with 
its marvelous picture, in which there 
stand forth most striking beauties of 
wooded mountainside, groves of majes- 
tic trees, greensward on whose bosom 
rest in gentlest touch most inviting 
shades, and through which, like loved 
bands of silver, there merrily run bab- 
bling streams of pure water, fresh 
from the dark depths of the sternal 
hills. 

"Cave Spring and its surroundings 
is one of the most picturesque and 
pleasant spots in the woi'ld. It is a 
spot where nature has lavished her 
deftest charms with captivating wealth, 
and is, like Auburn of old, the fair- 
est village of all the plain. Its nat- 
ural attractiveness is almost peerless. 
Some day when the younger genera- 
tion takes charge, grand hotels, bath- 
ing houses, fountains and parks will 
draw to this spot each succeeding sum- 
mer thousands of guests, every one of 
whom will become a lover." (The col- 
onel evidently meant "nature lover." — 
Author.) 



CHEROKEE ARTILLERY (LA- 
TER CORPUT'S BATTERY).— The 

following were the original officers of 
this concern, organized early in 1861 : 

Captain— M. A. Stovall. 

First Lieut. — J. G. Yeiser. 

Second Lieut. — J. H. Lawrence. 

Third Lieut.— Max V. D. Corput. 

Fourth Lieut.— C. O. Stillwell. 

First Sergt.— T. D. Attaway. 

Second Sergt. — J. M. Bowen. 

Third Sergt.— G. N. Sandifer. 

Fourth Sergt. — A. S. Hamilton. 

Fifth Sergt.— Wm. Noble. 

Sixth Sergt.— J. B. Clark. 

First Corporal — T. F. Hooper. 

Second Corporal— D. G. Love. 

Third Corporal — Jno. S. Holland. 

Fourth Corporal — R. M. Farrar. 



Fifth Corporal — S. Magnus. 
Sixth Corporal— G. B. Butler. 
Surgeon — Dr. Robt. Battey. 

-1- ^ ^ 

CENTRAL GROVE DISTRICT.— 

This part of Floyd County was settled 
in 1854, Jimmie Duke and his family 
being the first settlers. Mr. Duke 
bought 160 acres of land at the inter- 
section of the O'Brien and Central 
Grove roads for a gun valued at $25. 
His son, Lumpkin Duke, was a prom- 
inent man in the neighboi'hood and 
raised a large family, the boys of 
which engaged in the saw mill busi- 
ness. Two of his sons, Lumpkin and 
Tom Duke, are now living in Rome 
and are still engaged in the same kind 
of work. 

Jim Duke's brother. Green R. Duke, 
settled on what is known as the Green 
Duke place in 1860. His son, Martin 
M. Duke, who is now living in this 
neighborhood, is the oldest living de- 
scendant of the original settlers. Mar- 
tin M. Duke gave the land on which 
the Central Grove School was built in 
1900. The institution was known as 
the Duke School House for many years. 
Mrs. Henry O. Littlejohn, one of his 
daughters, lives near the school. An- 
other early settler was Joel Stowe, who 
was a noted barbecuer. Assisted by 
William A. Littlejohn, he barbecued 
the meat for the joint encampment of 
the Confederate and Union veterans at 
Chickamauga 35 years ago. W. A. 
Littlejohn, his stepson, lives near Cen- 
tral Grove School. Jesse P. Ayers, 
who settled on what is known as the 
Math Beard place, was another one 
of the pioneers. He was the father 
of Mrs. Georgia Allen, Frank and Ab. 
Ayers, all still living in this commu- 
nity. Some of the present residents 
who are doing work of interest to the 
public are R. L. Brown, who taught 
when the school was located where 
Mountain Springs church now stands 
and is now county surveyor; W. Ed. 
Beard, who has been bailiff for a num- 
ber of years; W. P. Bradfield, who is 
one of the county commissioners and 
has been instrumental in giving this 
part of the county its share of good 
roads; Willis Griffin, a strong advo- 
cate of Tom Watson, who was reared 
in this settlement; Henry O. Littlejohn, 
who served the Berry School for the 
longest continuous period of any of its 
employees, in charge of much of the 
carpentry work and the superintend- 
ent who built all of the log houses; 
C. Ira Butler, who is prominent in 
church and Sunday School work, and 
a song leader; and M. A. Hughes, who 



366 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



found on his farm the Indian relics 
displayed at the North Georgia Fair 
in October, 1921; O. L. Titrud, who 
came from Minnesota in the fall of 
1907 to teach agriculture at the Berry 
Schools and held that position for eight 
years, helping to lay the foundation for 
the agricultural work of the school. He 
was the first president of the Floyd 
County Farm Bureau and is now a 
member of the Advisory Board for 
Glenwood District. He has developed 
a laying strain of Barred Rock chick- 
ens; is a breeder of Holstein cattle, 
and has developed a variety of white 
cob yellow dent corn. Mr. Titrud was 
one of the division presidents of the 
Georgia Sunday School Association for 
a number of years and was succeeded 
by Fair C. Moon. He is now secre- 
tary of the County Sunday School As- 
sociation, and has been superintendent 
of the Central Grove Sunday School 
ever since the church was organized. 
He is also lay leader of the Rome cir- 
cuit of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Central Grove School District has been 
prominent in the work fostered by the 
county agricultural and home demon- 
stration agents. The following people 
have been especially interested and 
helpful in the home demonstration 
work: Mrs. W. A. Littlejohn, Mrs. 
C. I. Butler, Mrs. H. O. Littlejohn and 
Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Titrud. Lillie Bell 
Butler received the first scholarship 
here to the Athens short course in can- 
ning work. Beulah Buchanan Titrud 
won a scholarship for poultry work. 
Lois Littlejohn won two scholarships 
for home demonstration work. Among 
the boys who received prizes were Al- 
bert Littlejohn, for Pig Club work; 
Jack Beard and Benson Butler, for 
Corn Club work, and Clyde Titrud for 
Calf Club work. Central Grove won 
second prize for community exhibits at 
the North Georgia Fair of 1921. There 
are two Methodist churches in this lo- 
cality. Mountain Springs church, which 
was moved from the Summerville road 
about 1900, and Central Grove, organ- 
ized June 28, 1914. 

* * * 

CHILDREN'S FREE CLINIC— 

Since Floyd County was the leader 
among Georgia provinces to adopt the 
Ellis Public Health law, unusual in- 
terest attaches to the early results. 
The law was adopted in 1915 on the 
approval of two successive grand 
juries, and the County Board of Health 
was then organized and Dr. M. M. 
McCord chosen county commissioner 
of health from a field of twelve appli- 
cants from over the state. The board 



was coniposed of Jno. C. King, chair- 
man, as county superintendent of 
schools; J. G. Pollock, by virtue of his 
office as chairman of the County 
Board of Roads and Revenues; and 
Dr. Wm. P. Harbin, elected by the 
grand jury. Active work of the health 
office began Jan. 1, 1916. Appreciat- 
ing the need of a thorough canvass of 
the county, Dr. McCord applied to the 
Treasury Department at Washington, 
D. C, for a corps of public health med- 
ical experts to prepare a survey. Op. 
position was met at first, but it was 
overcome, and from March to Novem- 
ber a staff working under the direc- 
tion of Maj. L. L. Lumsden, U. S. A., 
gathered data for a survey. 

Every home, school, church, factory, 
dairy, cafe, drug store, hotel, grocery 
store, meat market and slaughter pen 
was visited and an examination made 
looking to the prevention of commu- 
nicable disease. 

Dr. McCord was ex-officio medical 
inspector of the public schools, and he 
made frequent visits and delivered a 
series of lectures on sanitation and 
personal hygiene. Of 6,000 children 
examined, it was found that 40 per 
cent of them had serious physical de- 
fects, either curable or correctible 
through medical or surgical skill or 
dental attention. Card index records 
v/ere kept and reports made to parents. 
Every effort was made to the end that 
each defective child should report to 
dentist or physician. On checking the 
cards the second year, Dr. McCord 
found that while several hundred chil- 
dren had received attention, one-third 
of the defectives were unable to pay 
for professional services and had had 
nothing done. He therefore associat- 
ed with him one of the teachers in the 
public schools in a plan for a free 
clinic. Civic organizations and citi- 
zens contributed the necessary money 
and a competent nurse was put in 
charge of the Children's Free Clinic in 
Municipal Building quarters. The ex- 
periment in Floyd County proved a 
fine investment and received warm ap- 
proval all over the state. Dr. Mc- 
Cord resigned in 1919 and he was suc- 
ceeded by Dr. Eugene O. Chimene, who 
resigned in 1921 to go to Greenville, 
S. C. Dr. B. V. Elmore, an experienced 
health ofRctial of Blountstown, Fla.. 
was elected to the vacancy, and still 
fills it. Dr. Elmore has been relent- 
less in his war on germs, mosquitoes, 
flies and their ilk, and is doing his 
part to maintain the reputation of 
Rome and Floyd as the healthiest parts 
of an unusually healthy section. 



Encyclopedic Section 



367 




WHERE EVERY BOY LEARNS A TRADE. 

At top, the blacksmith shop of the Berry Schools, and a group of earnest workers. 
All metal part repairs for the farm are made here. At the bottom is the wood shop, over' 
the other. This is in charge of Mr. Nesbit, an experienced carpenter and wood worker, who 
teaches his boys to make hall trees, lamp stands, book cases, cabinets, and furniture of al^ 
kinds. This place is a stranger to loafers and shams. 



CITY CLERKS.— The first mention 
of City Clerks comes in a Rome Week- 
ly Courier of 1852. As deputy clerk 
Chas. H. Smith issued an official notice 
under date of July 15. It is safe to 
assume that Mr. Smith soon thereafter 
wrote and talked himself into a clerk- 
ship. D. Clinton Hargrove was clerk 
in 1860, Reuben S. Norton in 1865, and 
Henry A. Smith (mayor in 1870-1) 
ju3t after him. The others, according 



to the best recollections and records 
available, were Ed. F. Shropshire, 
1870-1; Henry C. Norton, 1873-83; 
Wm. Seay, 1883-7; Mitchell A. Nevin, 
1887-April, 1894; Halstead Smith, 
April, 1894-1906; J. R. Cantrell, 1906- 
12; Hugh McCrary, 1912-17; J. M. 
Cooley, April 1 to Nov. 1; Sim F. Ma- 
gruder, Nov. 1, 1919 (incumbent). 

J. H. McClung was City Treasurer 
in 1860 and his annual salary was $25. 



368 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



The City Clerk (Mr. Hargrove), drew 
$100, and the marshal, Samuel Stew- 
art, $650 for all his time. 

* * * 

COOSA. — A village on the right 
bank of the Coosa River, eleven miles 
west of Rome, at the southern foot of 
Turnip Mountain and one mile south- 
west of Judy Mountain; center of the 
North Carolina District, which, with 
the exception of Rome and Cave- 
Spring, pays more tax than any other 
district in the county. Nearby are the 
farms once or now owned by the 
Camps, Montgomerys, Quins, Turners, 
Deans, Sheltons, Catheys and McAr. 
vers, on which is raised some of the 
finest cotton in the South, and where 
great quantities of wheat were pro- 
duced in the old steamboat days. Some? 
people erroneously call the place Coo- 
saville. 

It was via Veal's Ferry at Coosa 
that the Confederate Army of Gen. 
Jno. B. Hood crossed the Coosa River 
after the fall of Atlanta in 1864, lead- 
ing Sherman's Army in a hot pursuit 
through Texas Valley and in the di- 
rection of Resaca and Dalton. 

Coosa was first known as Missionary 
Station. In January, 1821, Rev. and 
Mrs. Elijah Butler were sent to this 
spot by the American Baptist For- 
eign Mission Society of South Canaan, 
Conn., and they set up a mission house 
for the religious and educational in- 
struction of the Indians. After eight 
years of arduous toil Mrs. Butler died 
there at 31 years of age, and was 
buried in front of the present home of 
Cicero Evans. A large wild cherry 
tree has grown up directly over her 
grave. Dr. Butler's activities among 
the Indians led to a charge by the 
Georgia authorities that he was in- 
citing them to revolt, and he and Rev. 
Samuel A. Worcester, of Vermont, 
v/ho was stationed at the mission at 
New Echota, Gordon County, were 
sentenced to serve four years in the 
Georgia penitentiary, and served a 
year and four months. The United 
States Supreme Court had reversed 
the lower court, but Georgia disregard- 
ed the decision. The missionaries were 
released on their promise to leave the 
state. 

An old description of Coosa by an 
appreciative visitor of 1888 reads: 
"Coosa does not boast any brownstone 
fronts towering spires, but when it 
ccmes to rolling up a tremendous Dem- 
ocratic majority, good living, solid 
comfort, or getting up a free show, or 
anything from a North Georgia fair 
to an old-time barbecue, you can set 



her down as a file leader at the head 

of the column." 

* * * 

COURTS— The Inferior courts of 
before the Civil War gave way to the 
Superior and County (now City) 
courts. The first County Court of 
Floyd was organized in conformity 
with a general law passed Mar. 17, 
1866, by the Georgia Legislature.* 
Rome was in the Tallapoosa Circuit 
of the Superior Court from 1864 until 
1869, when the Rome Circuit, still ex- 
istent now, came into being.** Dennis 
Hills was the first clerk. 

From Judge Joel Branham's book- 
let, "The Old Court House in Rome," 
(ps. 6 and 7) the following material 
is taken: 

The Superior Court judges for the 
Tallapoosa Circuit were L. H. Feath- 
erston, 1864,-7; Jno. W. H. Under- 
wood, 1867-9; Jno. S. Bigby, 1869. 

The judges jof the Rome Circuit 
were Francis A. Kirby, 1869-70; Robt. 
D. Harvey, 1870-73; Jno. W. H. Un- 
derwood, 1873-82; Joel Branham, 
1882-8; Jno. W. Maddox, 1886-92; 
Wm. M. Henry, 1892-94; Waller T. 
Turnbull, 1894-96.*** 

The County Court judges were D. 
Mack Hood, 1866.70; Wm. Barclay 
Terhune, Mar. 24, 1873-1874; Richard 
R. Harris, July, 1874,-1879; Junius 
F. Hillyer, May 30, 1883-Sept. 27, 1883. 

In 1883 the County Court became 
the City Court by an act passed Sept. 
25 and 27,**** and the judges who 
served were Richard R. Harris, 1894- 
98; Jno. H. Reece, 1898-1903; Harper 
Hamilton, 1903-10; W. J. Nunnally, 
May to October, 1910; Jno. H. Reece, 
1910-15.***** 

Jesse Lamberth served as Ordinary 
of Floyd County from 1861 to 1868, 
when he was succeeded by Henry J. 
Johnson, who served 25 years, until 
1893.****** 

The Solicitor General of the Supe- 
rior Court from 1882-6 was J. I. 
Wright, and of the County Court from 
1866-70 Jas. P. Perkins; from 1873 
until Octber, 1874, Dunlap Scott, and 
from December, 1874, until 1879, Col. 
Hamilton Yancey. 

*Acts, 1865-6, p. 64. 

**Acts, 1869, p. 20. 

***Since 1896 and to the present time the 
judges have been Moses R. Wright (incum- 
bent) and Jno. W. Maddox. 

****Acts, 1882-3, ps. 534-5. 

*****W. J. Nunnally again became judge in 
1915 and held the office until Sept. 13, 1922, 
when he was succeeded by Jno. W. Bale. 

******Henry J. Johnson was the father of 
the present ordinary, Harry Johnson, who suc- 
ceeded Jno. P. Davis, Judge Davis having suc- 
ceeded the elder Johnson. 



Encyclopedic Section 



369 



The clerk of the Superior Court from 
1867-70 was Adolphus E. Ross.* 

Nathan Yarbrough was Sheriff in 
1866-7, and he was followed by Col. 
Jno. R. Towers. The justices of the 
peace in 1867 were Thos. J. Perry and 
Samuel Johnson. 

A list of the lawyers of the period 
covered by Judge Branham's account 
will be found elsewhere herein. 

Judge Jno. W. Maddox, former Su- 
perior Court justice, died at Rome 
Thursday, Sept. 28, 1922, aged 74, and 
was buried Friday in Myrtle Hill cem- 
etery, Rome. 

^ ^- ^ 

CREEKS OF FLOYD COUNTY.— 
The principal creeks of Floyd County: 

Armuchee, probably the largest;** 
made up of East Armuchee and West 
Armuchee both rising in Chattooga 
County; flows southeasterly and emp- 
ties into Oostanaula River at Pope's 
Ferry and the farm of Mrs. Bessie 
Battey Troutman. 

Big Cedar, the second largest; head- 
waters in Polk County; flows north- 
westerly and empties into Coosa River 
one mile east of the Alabama line. 

Big Dry; rises on the southern side 
of Lavender Mountain, flows south- 
easterly through the Berry School 
property and empties into the Oosta- 
naula about three miles north of Ronie. 

Little Dry; rises in West Rome, 
flows easterly through the Flat Woods 
and empties into the Oostanaula at the 
Linton A. Dean place, near the Sum- 
merville road, one mile north of Rome. 

Lavender; rises south of Rock 
Mountain, in Little Texas Valley, flows 
northeasterly through the valley and 
empties into Armuchee Creek a mile 
above Armuchee. 

Heath; rises southeast of Simms' 
Mountain, flows northeasterly through 
Big Texas Valley and empties into Ar- 
muchee creek 2 miles above Armuchee. 

Woodward; rises in Gordon and Bar- 
tow Counties, flows southwesterly and 
empties into the Oostanaula half a 
mile (by land) south of Pope's Ferry. 

Jimmy Long; rises near Hermitage, 
Ridge Valley, flows westerly and 
empties into the Oostanaula a mile 
north of Harper Station. 

Dykes'; named after Dr. G. J. Dykes, 
who came to Rome in 1836; rises on 
the southern side of Armstrong Moun- 
tain, flows south and empties into the 
Etowah River about a mile above 
Freeman's Ferry. It is fed by the 
large spring at Morrison's Camp 
Ground and other springs. 



Barnsley; rises south of Armstrong 
Mountain, flows south through the 
western edge of Bartow County and 
empties into the Etowah in Bartow, 
three miles east of Bass' Ferry. 

Spring; rises in Chulio district, runs 
northward to the Etowah between 
F'reeman's and Bass' Ferry. 

Spring; rises in Chulio district, runs 
northward to the Etowah between 
Freeman's and Bass' Ferries. 

Silver; rises in Polk, Cobnty six 
miiles northeast of Cedartown, flows 
northward into the Etowah River mid- 
way between the East Rome and Broad 
Street bridges, at Rome. 

Lake; rises four miles east of Ce- 
dartown in Polk County, flows gen- 
erally northwestward and empties into 
Big Cedar Creek near Chubbtown. 

Little Cedar; rises near Etna in 
Polk County, flows northeastward and 
empties into Big Cedar Creek near 
Vann's Valley Station. 

Spring; rises in Indian Moun- 
tain, Polk County, practically on the 
Alabama line, flows northward into 
Floyd, then westward into Alabama 
and empties into the Coosa River near 
Yancey's Bend. 

Mud; rises four miles west of Cave 
Spring, flows northwestward into Ala- 
bama and empties into the Coosa near 
Kirk's Grove, Ala. 

Webb; rises near Landers and the 
Southern railroad, Vann's Valley, flows 
northwardly through the valley and 
empties into the Coosa at the W. Green 
Foster-Van Dyke farm, four miles 
northeast of Livingston. One of the 
headwaters of Webb Creek is the Cress 
Spring on the farm of Wm. S. Gib- 
bons, Cave Spring road. 

Cabin; rises south of Simms' Moun- 
tain, western end of Lavender Moun- 
tain, flows southwardly and empties 
into the Coosa about a mile east of 
Coosa and Veal's Ferry. 

Beach; rises a mile northeast of 
Judy Mountain, flows south, then west, 
and empties into the Coosa at Turner's 
Bend. 

Burwell; rises on the old home place 
of Capt. Wm. Moore near the North 
Rome depot, Southern railway, flows 
west and empties into the Oostanaula 
quarter of a mile north of Rome. 

Horseleg; rises three miles north of 
Horseleg Mountain (Mt. Alto), flows 

*See Memorial of Feb. 2, 1891, in Minutes 
No. 25, p. 1. 

**Authority : County Engineer Kieflfer Lind- 
sey. 



370 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



eastward through Shorter College prop- 
erty and empties into the Coosa one 
mile west of Rome. 

Note: Exact accuracy is not claimed 
for the above descriptions. The map 
principally consulted was the "Rome 
Quadrangle" of the U. S. Geological 
Survey, which is very helpful. A more 
elaborate map, but of a different char- 
acter, is the soil map published by 
the Federal Department of Agricul- 
ture, Washington, many copies of 
which have been sent out by Congress- 
man Gordon Lee. 

DARKEYS OF ROME, OLD-TIME. 

— Among the "segashuating corporosi- 
ties" of the older colored folk of Rome 
may be mentioned the following, as 
mostly supplied by Richard Venable 
Mitchell : 

Lewis Barrett: "Veteran barber, 
while an old timer, he says he is never 
too tired to entertain his friends." 

Jack Battey: "The body-guard of 
Dr. Robt. Battey in the Civil War. 
Jack had charge of 'Fleeter,' Dr. Bat- 
tey's faithful mare, which safely swam 
with her master across the Potomac 
River at night in 1863 in the Gettys- 
burg campaign. 'Fleeter' was given 
shortly afterward by Dr. Battey to the 
Sproull boys on the Kingston road, and 
was put to plowing, which she had 
never done before. She was a small 
gray mare, almost white, and a fine 
pacer; she went through the Battles 
of First Manassas, the Wilderness, 
Gettysburg, Richmond and others, 
without a scratch, although a cannon 
ball once knocked dirt upon her and 
Jack and an iron gray pack horse 
which Jack rode. Jack died in 1912 
at Chattanooga. He had been employ, 
ed in a hotel restaurant by Sam P. 
Light. On one occasion he had a ter- 
rible fight with another cook over the 
question of who could make the best 
chicken chop suey. He was a con- 
temporary of two other servants of 
Dr. Battey: Jim Hagan, who drove 
the one-horse wagon, and 'Aunt Che- 
ney,' an old slave. 'Aunt Cheney's' 
only picture was taken by W. Kennedy 
Laurie Dickson, assistant to Thos. A. 
Edison, while he was sojourning in 
Rome in 1890 after a siege of work 
on the motion picture invention." 

Gus Carlton: "Retired blacksmith, 
with age about 95, and slightly bowed 
from bending over the hind hoof of 
many a 'jarhead.' Resides on Tower 
Hill and is now blind." 

Chubb Family: "These darkeys were 
farmers around Chubbtown, near Cave 



Spring and the Polk County line, whose 
industry and thrift enabled them to ac- 
cumulate considerable property, gins, 
mills, houses, etc. They are law-abid- 
ing, respected by the whites and gen- 
erally good citizens. Their master set 
them free before the Civil War." 

Allen Collier: "His occupation is 
that of a cook. He knows how to pre- 
pare something that will satisfy one's 
bread basket. His wife, Alice Collier, 
washed many a garment in her younger 
days, but as she was suffering from 
the white swelling, she retired about 
15 years ago and has always lived with 
her old man. She never knew she was 
an offspring of one of Col. Alfred 
Shorter's slaves. Allen does not belong 
to the aristocratic Shorter crowd, how- 
ever." 

Charlie Coppee: "Retired drayman. 
Some eight years ago Charlie quit and 
has since been doing pretty much as 
he pleases as a butler in a good family 
on West Eleventh Street, Fourth Ward. 
He is 80 years old. His team con- 
sisted of a small flat-top wagon drawn 
by a slow-moving 'hard-tail.' He leaped 
to this city in 1885 from Athens. When 
he talks to you he squinches out of one 
eye and smiles out of one side of his 
mouth. He can still do a plantation 
breakdown if you give him a young 
enough partner and a shot of mean 
licker. In size he is very low and 
stumpy, but can cover ground. His 
home is in the rear of the place where 
he works." 

Lou Cothran: "For 25 years cook 
and nurse for the Moultrie family and 
now nurse of the Ernest E. Lindsey 
children." 

Ellen Pentecost Daniel: "A slave of 
Col. Alfred Shorter. She died in Octo- 
ber, 1914, at the ripe old age of 73. 
One of the most appetizing cooks in 
her day. She was my nurse and I 
understand held the bottle for quite 
a number of Romans, all of whom re- 
member her affectionately. Poor old 
soul ; she never rusted, but wore her- 
self out." 

Steve Eberhart (or Perry) : "Pro- 
fession, whitewasher. Steve came to 
Rome about 20 years ago from Athens, 
where he was the slave in the war 
of Col. Abraham Eberhart. He is the 
mascot of the Confederate Veterans of 
Rome, and in his attempts to attend 
every reunion of the Boys in Gray 
collects a lot of money under various 
false pretenses, and gets away with it. 
Some of his whitewash might well be 
used on himself, for he is as black 
as African midnight and nearly as 



Encyclopedic Section 



371 





^1 




OLD-TIME DARKIES WITH THEIR 'HABITS ON." 

The South owes much to its ante-bellum population, and will always remember them with 
deep affection. In this group we get a glimpse of a number of well-known characters caught 
here and there. Included are the old sprinkler sprucing up the yard of the First Presbyterian 
church; Steve Eberhart in a "fowl escapade," "Aunt Martha" Stevenson, "Aunt Cheney," 
Augustus Sams, Bob Lake and others. 



372 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



small as a chinquepin, but he carries 
himself with an erectile strut that im- 
mediately becomes a dissembling sham- 
ble when he wants to pass around the 
hat. At reunion time he puts on his 
artillery uniform of red and gray, and 
lays a barrage of profanity that with- 
ers every new-fangled darkey that 
crosses his path. Under his arm is his 
pet rooster, borrowed from a conven- 
ient hen-house, and such feathers as 
are missing from the fowl's tail can 
be found in Steve's beaver hat. Steve 
is on the shady side of 80. His side- 
line is collecting clothes from the white 
folks so the women can wash 'em, and 
on his shiny dome he can balance a 
bag of clothes nearly as well as a wa- 
termelon. He is of the aristocracy, 
having been just after the war valet 
at Athens to Henry W. Grady and Ben 
Hill. He is a powerful orator, with 
'Fiddling Bob' Taylor's ability to cry 
on occasion, and if his education had 
not been cut short by Mr. Grady's 
graduation from the University, he 
might have been the Daniel Webster 
of his race. While he has never been 
ordained as a minister, he can preach 
with the best of them. He served with 
his 'marster' in the war on the west 
Coast of Florida, and there learned 
how to fish." 

Lena Hudson: "Age about 70; oc- 
cupation, sick nurse." 

Ned Huggins: "Retired Arm- 
strong Hotel barber and retired sex- 
ton of the First Presbyterian church. 
His good word was always 'Call 
again.' " 

Bob Lake: "Bob is only middle-aged 
but has old-fashioned ways. He still 
works when there is a chance to make 
an honest living. At Christmas time 
he helps the Rotary Club distribute 
baskets to the poor, and totes home a 
well-filled basket for himself. He is 
the handy man at Judge Harper Ham- 
ilton's on East Fourth Street, but for 
30 years has 'drayed' for the Simpson 
Grocery Company and is an expert at 
handling salt meat with a cotton hook." 

Henry Little: "Farmer; bachelor; 
his home is one quarter of a mile north 
of the city limits, near the old Ridge 
place, on the Oostanaula River road. 
His complexion is slate color and hair 
and mustache a dark gray; he is tall, 
comports himself like a soldier and 
has a pleasing address. Henry still 
wears his clod-hoppers at 73, and says 
he can see a boll weevil as far as any 
man, but is wise enough to try corn 
and wheat." 

Pomp Lovejoy: "Faithful standby 



janitor of the N., C. & St. L. passen- 
ger depot for 37 years. He swears he 
never used an oath or an alcoholic bev- 
erage. Is a native of Floyd Springs 
and resides in *Tim-buck-too,' where 
he has a fine home." 

Mack Madison : "An old-time farm- 
er who can always get together a 
mess of vittles like ham, cracklin' 
bread, pot licker and turnip greens, 
in spite of the boll weevil and potato 
bugs. He is a shy old rascal, and when 
he comes to town, which is not often, 
he keeps out of the way of the police. 
If you eye him too closely or try to ■ 
question him, he gets off like a rabbit 
through a brier patch. He has a sweet 
tooth, so keeps a bee gum, and is as 
industrious as anybody in the hive. 
Once he ignored a summons to court, 
and two officers brought him in. Asked 
by a friend why he finally went, he said 
his legs got in motion and his body 
had to go too." 

West McCoy : "Retired plasterer ; 
uncertain age. He winks out of one 
eye because he has lost the other. He 
sits around on garbage boxes and holds 
out his hand for a penny, saying, 'It 
takes only 100 to make a dollar.' " 

Pomp Moseley: "Lives with his wife, 
Lucy, 72, in South Rome. Always con- 
nected with the furniture business, and 
he hung many a shade and stretched 
many a carpet before the days of rugs 
and waxed floors. He carries his age 
of 76 as lightly as a man of 40, and 
withal is as quiet and polite as a 
basket of chips, being one of the Shor- 
ter slaves. He carries a yard stick 
for a cane, to advertise his business." 

Carrie Mullen: "Lives on Gibson 
Street and is 80 and highly respected." 

Flora Payne: "Cook for the Wade 
S. Cothran family. Long since gone 
to her reward." 

Harrison Payne: "Retired teamster; 
occasionally is seen at the cui-b mar- 
ket with his spring wagon full of veg- 
etables at reasonable prices. His nag 
is an old-fashioned high stepper, but 
now somewhat broken down." 

Hamp Pentecost: "The bodyguard 
of Col. Chas. M. Harper during the 
Civil War. He was one of the blue- 
blooded darkeys of Rome, having be- 
longed to Col. Shorter, and was faith- 
ful to the last. For a long time he 
was assistant boss o'f Ed. L. Bos- 
worth's dray line, and could always 
be depended upon." 

Taylor E. R. Persons: "Died at the 
age of 72. He was discovered in 1882 
by City Clerk M. A. Nevin, who re- 



Encyclopedic Section 



373 



quisitioned his services to fight cob- 
webs and dust at the old City Hall, 
and to plaster up rat holes. He was a 
stout darkey and was often called upon 
by the police to help put an unruly 
character into the 'jug.' He made such 
a favorable impression upon Rev. Jas. 
W. Lee that when Dr. Lee was trans- 
ferred in 1885 to the pastorate of the 
Trinity Methodist church in Atlanta 
he made a special trip to Rome and 
borrowed Taylor to fill a sexton's place. 
Taylor did not come back to Rome until 
Dr. Lee tried to take him to Missouri. 
On returning, he assumed his old posi- 
ion, and when the City Hall was moved 
to its present location, he went along, 
and served there until age caused him 
to be 'let out.' He took a vacation 
once in 1898, and remained away until 
after the Spanish-American War, 
where he acquired quite a military 
presence. It gave him great pleasure 
to crack his heels together and salute 
any of the white folks who asked him 
a favor; and he was well cared for in 
his old age. He was a pillar in the 
Upper Broad Street Colored Methodist 
Episcopal church." 

Jim Ponder: "Has been dead about 
20 years. Used to haul slops from the 
Battey Infirmary. He was a sort of 
doctor among his people; buried buz- 
zards in large frying pans, and when 
the grease ran out used it to cure 
rheumatism." 

Tol Reed: "Had a white beard and 
could cover lots of ground. His neph- 
ew was hanged near the old Rome rail- 
road above the Southern crossing about 
1900, and he was run out of Rome and 
is supposed to have died in Atlanta. 
He sometimes went by the name of 
Dr. Potter. He was a mortar mixer 
and boasted loudly that he helped build 
the Armstrong Hotel. His hobby was 
fine horseflesh, on which he was an au- 
thority." 

Alice Richardson: "Resident of Pen- 
nington Avenue." 

A7i7ia Richardson: "Once residing 
in West Rome, but moved away to 
a better opportunity in Atlanta." 

Palmer Rix: "Retired from farming 
to gardening; aged 76, and still active 
on his trade. He resides near the 
Oostanaula on West Second Street, to 
the height of where the stream when 
it is too full does not quite reach and 
disturb his comforts." 

Andy Robinson : "Aged 90 and re- 
sides at 605 W. Second Street. He re- 
members the founders of Rome and 
the Indian chiefs; says Col. Chas. H. 
Nelson gave passes to Ross and Ridge 



and moved 500 Indians from Cave 
Spring to Red River, Ark., in wagons." 

Aitgustus Sams: "Business is wood- 
chopper and age about 80. He chops 
wood all around the country, and for 
the want of a conveyance sometimes 
walks to Cedartown for a job, and then 
walks back. He will not quit chop- 
ping wood except to go 'possum hunt- 
ing or to eat a watermelon. He wears 
a black felt hat with a curve in it, 
only needs a turkey feather to make 
him look like a Dutch admiral ; and 
he carries his lunch in a crocus sack. 
He has a keen sense of humor, but oc- 
casionally when outraged rears back 
on his dignity like an angry porcu- 
pine." 

Mary Sheppard: "Aged 80; resides 
on Blossom Hill." 

"Mink" Sims: "A darkey of 25 
years ago who hunted and fished a 
great deal, but was never known to 
hit a lick of work. He used to sing 
a song that started 'Rabbit and the 
Hash,' and which brought in the pole- 
cat, the jaybird and the other birds 
and animals of the menagerie." 

"Tip" Smith: "Passed to the other 
world Jan. 25, 1911, at the age of 77. 
He was an old slave who had belonged 
to Maj. Chas. H. Smith ('Bill Arp'). 
After he got his freedom, he took up 
the trade of carpet and mattress 
stretcher and house cleaner, and made 
a very useful citizen. He hung shades, 
did wall-papering and generally helped 
many a housewife of Rome. At enter- 
tainments he was indispensable, wheth- 
er it was freezing the pineapple sher- 
bet or handing the guests their hats 
and coats; and many a grateful Roman 
said if he could have 'Tip' around at 
the final trumpet call, he would not 
bother to summon an undertaker. 'Tip' 
lived in peace and African plenitude 
on the gentle slopes of Blossom Hill." 

Martha Stevenso7i: "She is short 
and dark and wears a turban. For a 
long time she cooked for Mrs. Seaborn 
Wright, then served Mrs. Bessie B. 
Troutman at Pope's Ferry, then was 
cooking for Mrs. Robt. Battey when 
Mrs. Battey died and now is indispen- 
sable at Mrs. Evan P. Harvey's. She 
is nigh onto 75 and spry as a cricket, 
but occasionally complains of the 
misery in her side." 

Mark Taylor: "Veteran barber, 
long since dead. Ned Huggins start- 
ed with him as a bootblack, and he 
trained many others in the tonsorial 
art. Mark never used vulgarity or 
profanity, nor would he allow any 
roughhouse in his shop." 



374 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



"Shetn" Thomas: "Not particular- 
ly old, but exceedingly old-fashioned. 
Janitor at Darlington School. Though 
not a millionaire, he gave $25 to the 
Greater Darlington Endowment Fund 
in 1922. He is sure to pass through 
the pearly gates." 

"Uncle Towns:" Never seemed to 
have any other name, but worked many 
years around yard and flower garden 
of the I. D. Fords on Second Avenue. 
He wore a heavy gray beard, and his 
old back was bent from much cutting 
of grass and pruning of shrubs. He 
bore a closer resemblance to a certain 
large creature of the jungle than any- 
body in Rome. His fondness for lit- 
tle children was well known, but such 
as he didn't like he would scarce with 
a fiendish grin." 

Lewis Venable: "The male cook of 
Dr. and Mrs. Robt. Battey on First 
Avenue. Every time the Rome rail- 
road trains would pass, Lewis would 
climb to the barn roof, dressed in a 
Japanese gown, with a crimson sash 
around his waist and a feather-dec- 
orated silk hat on his head. Thus ar- 
rayed, he would dance to the delight 
of train crew and passengers. He has 
long ago gone to his Heavenly Master. 
He was hired by the Venable family 
of Atlanta before coming to Rome." 

Annie Walker: "About 80; lives on 
Reservoir Street." 

Caleb Walker: "Perhaps the oldest 
person in Rome; born in 1824, as well 
as he remembers, and is consequently 
98. He began to feel a bit old last 
year, and cut him a hickory stick in 
the neighborhood of his home at 114 
Chambers Street, Sixth Ward; but he 
can get about like a cricket when he 
sees greenback or coin for light car- 
pentry work. He has always been fair 
and square, and is thoroughly con- 
firmed in his ways of thrift and hon- 
esty. He claims to have been a soldier 
in 1864 and 1865, though in just what 
capacity he does not make clear." 

William Walker: "Not less than 
80, but gets about like a man of 45. 
He is a retired plasterer and his earth- 
ly home is in Hell's Hollow. He says 
he has mixed lots of Etowah River 
sand and slack lime for buildings in 
Rome, has always served the Lord and 
expects to make the acquaintance of 
St. Peter instead of the devil." 



DEBTS OF LONG AGO.— Members 
of the City Commission and others 
who speak in whispers of Rome's aw- 
ful $40,000 overdraft might do well 
to peek into the records for the year 



1875, when $450,000 hung above the 
heads of the city fathers like the quiv- 
ering Sword of Damocles. Included in 
this was $100,000 in Memphis Branch 
Railroad bonds; $100,000 in North and 
South Railroad bonds; $107,500 in wa- 
ter works bonds; $65,000 in currency 
bonds; $32,000 in floating debt bonds; 
and accrued interest making up the 
balance. In 1877 and 1878 this debt 
had been reduced to $337,100, and in 
1884 it stood at $312,000. The an- 
nual income from all sources in 1888 
was about $60,000 and expenses un- 
der prudent management about the 
same. 

Says an old clipping of 1888: "Since 
the new bonds were issued in 1877, 
never has the city been an hour in 
default in meeting her interest. Every 
obligation to creditors has been prompt- 
ly met, and so firm is the standing 
of the city in the financial world that 
not even her 5 per cent bonds can be 
purchased at less than par, and her 
other bonds command from 1.06 to 1.16. 

"A large part of our city debt arises 
from investments in railroads that 
were never built. The hearts of Rome's 
people always went out to those who 
proposed to develop her resources and 
asked her aid. To say that she was 
imposed upon is putting it lightly. But 
she has never faltered; she has cheer- 
fully undertaken to pay this $200,000 
for which she has never received one 
dollar's benefit, and now goes on to 
fight greater battles. Victory has 
crowned her on every field, and still 
beckons her on." 



DESOTO, SUBURB OF.— Named 
after Ferdinand DeSoto, Spanish cav- 
alier, who is supposed to have pitched 
camp on the spot in June, 1540, for 
about 30 days. Located west of Rome 
proper and across the Oostanaula 
River. The heart of it is known as 
the Fourth Ward, containing about 160 
acres of land, most or all of which 
was owned up to 1835 by John Ross, 
the Indian chief, then became the prop- 
erty of Jno. B. Winfrey. Mr. Win- 
frey sold 60 of the 160 acres to Dan'l. 
R. Mitchell and 60 to Col. Alfred 
Shorter. The part bought by Col. 
Shorter contained the John Ross home, 
which stood in the rear of the site of 
the J. M. Bradshaw home at 505 Fifth 
Avenue. To the Ross house in 1845 
Col. Shorter brought the J. M. M. Cald- 
wells, and they taught school there for 
some time prior to establishment of 
the Rome Female College on Eighth 
Avenue. 



Encyclopedic Section 



375 




asiW^RCSB,''*'^ -*' afs.5r5!E^!««S^^!«S!S(a9K 



PRACTICAL LESSONS IN DEMOCRACY. 

Here are views which will demonstrate that Berry School boys work hard and fruitfully. 
Miss Martha says the sons of the rich must eventually profit by the wholesomeness of some 
form of manual labor. At the top is the Mountain Farm school for small boys, who are 
seen in the oval; the lake, the cow barn, the well-drilled milkers and a Ford tractor in a 
furrowed field are also presented. 



376 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



DeSoto was once a separate town 
from Rome, and came into the city cor- 
poration under an act of the Legisla- 
ture of 1884-5 which abolished its char- 
ter. Most of the DeSotans fought in- 
clusion strenuously, and to win out, 
Rome was forced to grant liberal tax 
and improvement concessions. The con- 
tract in the bill was drawn by Attor- 
ney J. I. Wright, of the law firm of 
Alexander & Wright. It provided that 
no saloon license should ever be grant- 
ed in DeSoto. The population then was 
about 500, and now it is estimated at 
about five times that figure. The land 
is flat and low, and the citizens han- 
dle themselves very nimbly when the 
rivers overflow. 

DeSoto has furnished some of 
Rome's leading citizens. It was the 
birthplace of Milford W. Howard, of 
Los Angeles, Cal., formerly Congress- 
man from Fort Payne, Ala., who used 
to wield a powerful axe in the forests 
nearby that he might sell wood and 
complete his education. Its mayor for 
several terms was D. R. Mitchell, the 
grocer, who was a nephew of Col. 
Danl. R. Mitchell, one of the found- 
ers of Rome. J. H, Lanham was 
once the postmaster. 

DeSoto (or the Fourth Ward) con- 
tains Hamilton Athletic Field; the 
North Georgia Fair Grounds; the Trin- 
ity Methodist Church (founded by Rev. 
Sam P. Jones) ; the Jones residence; 
the Fifth Avenue Baptist and Sec- 
ond Christian churches; the Fourth 
Ward Public School, and the homes of 
J. A. Glover and Mrs. Hiram Hill, 
also a thriving business section on 
Fifth Avenue at the Oostanaula River 
bridge. The Stone Quarry hill, Sum- 
merville Road, was used by the Con- 
federates and was known as Fort At- 

taway. 

* * * 

ELKS' CLUB (B. P. O. E.)— Rome 
Lodge No. 694 was organized July 25, 
1901, and surrendered its charter June 
14, 1918. Its motto was "Fidelity, 
brotherly love, justice." At one time 
it boasted a membership of 250. At 
the time of ceasing operations, it had 
the following names on the "Red, 
White and Blue Roll:" 



A. A. Antognoli 
A. E. Anderson 
J. P. Broyles 
W. T. Brown 
Hiram M. Bobo 
Wesley O. Connor, 
J. S. Cleghorn 
J. Ed. Camp 
W. M. Carey 
Lloyd Damron 



Isaac May 

Geo. H. Magruder 

J. D. McCartney 

Robt. H. McGinnis 

R. V. Mitchell 

Wm. J. Nunnallv 

R. Sewell 

Ray G. Stewart 

Hart H. Smith 

Joe H. Sulzbacher 



Paul Duke 
Wm. H. Ennis 
Augustus A. Fite 

E. A. Green, P. E. : 
John M. Good 

F. L. Godwin 
Nathan Harris 
Horace C. Johnson 
J. N. King 
Clifton H. Lansdell 
Moultrie S. Lanier 



Joe Spiegelberg 
Wm. Siglin 
W. J. Shaw 
Roy R. W«st 
A. C. Williamson 
R. H. West 
Phil S. Wilby 
Moses Wright 
Ben Watts 
R. W. Watts 
Arthur West 



The death roll showed the following 
names: 1903— Maj. Wm. A. Patton, 
Sr., and Gordon Tatum; 1904— J. H. 
Sanders; 1905— J. W. Grant; 1906— 
Halsted Smith, Sr.; 1907— M. C. 
White, J. C. Lewis, Wm. J. West; 1909 
— C. N. Patterson; 1910— Mark G. 
McDonald, Robt. Yancey and J. H. 
Roberson; 1911— E. B. Marshall, J. L. 
Young, W. B. Everett, B. F. A. Saylor 
and C. A. Woods; 1912— M. B. Gerry, 
Wurts W. Bowie, A. S. Gresham, W. 
Chinnick, Gordon Wheeler; 1914 — Dr. 
Thos. R. Garlington; 1915 — J. Lindsay 
Johnson, Sr., Arthur R. Sullivan, Jr.; 
1916— Thos. Evins; 1917— N. J. Steele; 
1918— Geo. H. Magruder. 

FIRE COMPANIES IN 1888.— "The 
fire department of the city of Rome 
consists of three companies: Rainbow 
Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1, Moun- 
tain City Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 
2, and Citizens' Hook & Ladder Co. No. 
1. The membership of the whole is 
165 men — the most gallant and cour- 
ageous in the city. As an illustration 
of their promptness and discipline, an 
instance is characteristic of the depart- 
ment: An old fire trap in the rear 
of a saddle shop on Broad Street, con- 
taining about 2,500 bundles of fodder, 
caught fire, and whilst all the ends of 
the bundles were burned, not a whole 
bundle was destroyed. The work of 
extinguishment was done so quickly by 
one company that the other company, 
400 yards off, was cut out from fire 
plugs and could not throw any water 
upon the fire, much to their chagrin. 
Each of these rival companies accuses 
the other of keeping men at the reel 
houses, ready to turn out for a fire. 
Further proof of their gallantry and 
skill is seen in the fact that the ac- 
tual losses from fire in the city of 
Rome have not averaged $1,500 per 
year for the last ten years. This fact 
is the more remarkable because it is 
a volunteer department, the members 
themselves bearing a goodly share of 
the expenses of their organizations. 
Not a single Georgia pine building of 
one story has burned to the ground in 
15 years. In 1884 the fire loss was 



Encyclopedic Section 



377 



$2,580; in 1885, $167, and in 1886, 
$6,780. 

"Each of the companies has substan. 
tial trophies of the victories gained in 
speed contests abroad, and no city in 
the country can show as effective a 
fire service by any paid department." 
— Tribune of Rome, Anniversary and 
Trade Number, Oct. 2, 1888. 



FIRESIDE DEFENDERS.— This 
Civil War company was organized 
Aug. 4, 1861, at Spring (or Silver) 
Creek, near Lindale, by Robt. H. Jones, 
who later became a wagon and buggy 
manufacturer at Cartersville. There 
were 95 original members and 26 re- 
cruits; total, 121. Mrs. John Reese 
sent the boys away with a stirring- 
speech and the gift of a beautiful flag. 
She was well qualified for this duty, 
as may be judged by an incident of a 
few years before. Mrs. Reese was 
the wife of a well-known physician; as 
a girl she was Elizabeth Hills, grand- 
daughter of old Dennis Hills, a "down 
East Yankee" from Leominster, Mass. 
She was sent to school in New Eng- 
land at the age of fifteen. One day 
in chapel or class a teacher addressed 
the pupils on the subject, of slavery in 
the South. "The Souther^j oeople," de- 
clared the teacher, "drive xne poor ne- 
gro to the plow, and shut him up i~n 
a crib and feed him raw corn." 

Little Miss Elizabeth jumped to her 
feet, her face aflame with indignation, 
and cried, "That is a lie!" She was 
allowed to return home to continue her 
studies, and she became one of the 
most steadfast advocates of the South- 
ern cause. 

By way of putting fire into the Fire- 
side Defenders, Miss Elizabeth said: 

"Soldiers of the Fireside Defenders: 
On behalf of the ladies of Silver Creek 
and vicinity I am before you today to 
ask the acceptance of this flag. You 
are all aware that every nation on 
earth has its ensign. This, my brave 
friends, is the ensign of the Southern 
Confederate States of America. It is 
needless for me to retrospect the his- 
tory of this nation, to tell you why 
the flag of the Union no longer floats 
over the land of sunshine and flowers 
or why the crashing of musketry and 
the booming of cannon is heard in our 
border states. Suffice it to say that 
our cause is a just one, and on present- 
ing these colors to you, you have a 
testimony of the spirit which governs 
the women of the South. 

"Be assured we disdain as much as 
yourselves the idea of becoming slaves 



to the oppressors of our land, and 
should it become necessary there is not 
a free woman in the Southern Confed- 
eracy who would not dispute the 
ground inch by inch, and who would 
not die in the cause of libertv and 
justice. 

"To you as the first agents in the 
hands of an all-wise Father we consign 
these colors. Never, never, my friends, 
permit it to trail in the dust; never 
lower the flag in servile submission to 
the ruthless invaders of our homes, 
our liberties and our most sacred 
rights; never furl these ample folds, 
not until liberty shall be perched upon 
this banner. 

"There is a just God who presides 
over the destinies of nations. He it is 
who will give might to your arms in 
the deadly strife. The battle is not 
to the strong in numbers alone. It is 
to the just, to the right, to the brave. 
Oh, do not permit our enemies to forge 
chains to bind in degradation our pos- 
terity. With hearts within and God 
overhead, press onward higher and 
higher. Wave these colors, and that 
God in whom we trust may permit 
every soldier of the Fireside Defend- 
ers to return under the protection of 
this banner is our prayer to God. We 
shall rise incessantly in your behalf 
and we entreat you to yield your 
hearts and lives into His charge, and 
if it be your doom, as it has been for 
many near and dear to us, to meet 
death on the battlefield, in a nation's 
heart shall be written your epitaph, 
'History shall prolong, posterity shall 
bless the valiant arms and noble spirits 
who fought, bled and died to purchase 
for us liberty and freedom.' 

Oh, flag of the South, still thy way, 

Undimmed the ages untold, 
Over earth's proud nations the stars 
display 
Like morning's radiant changes un- 
fold; 
Oh, flag of Dixie's noble band, 
Oh, flag of the South, still peerless, 
shine, 
O'er earth, remotest lands expand. 
Till every heart and hand entwine! 

The Fireside Defenders went to 
camp twelve days after they were or- 
ganized. Their first stop " was Big 
Shanty, Cobb County, now known as 
Kennesaw. Thence they went into 
training at Columbus, and thence to 
the front in Virginia. They became 
Company G, 22d Georgia Regiment of 
Infantry, and Capt. Jones, their com- 
manding officer, was advanced to col- 
onel of the regiment. 



378 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



At the surrender April 9, 1865, at 
Appomattox, Va., the following mem- 
bers laid down their arnis : 

Capt. G. W. Thomas, Sergt. W. B. 
Judkins, and Privates J. W. Judkins, 
Jno. S. Black, Wm. Morris, Ephraim 
Morris, Jason MorrPs, Wm. J. and T. 
N. Vincent, H. N. and Alfonzo Queen, 
Jos. A. Sharp, Wm. M. Gossett, Wm. 
A. Witcher, E. E. Burkhalter, Wm. R. 
Mountcastle, J. M. Fuller, J. W. Miller, 
I. N. Teat, T. J. Gossett, W. J. Pope. 

Starting in 1895, the survivors held 
annual reunions at the Primitive Bap- 
tist Church (now the First Presbyte- 
rian) at Lindale. On this occasion 
they were addressed by Paul Reese, 
son of Dr. and Mrs. Reese. Capt. 
Harry P. Meikleham, superintendent 
of the Massachusetts Mills at Lindale, 
gave them a bit of ground 10 feet 
square, on which they erected a monu- 
ment which bears the names of the 
company's officers. Capt. Meikleham 
also stands for a yearly barbecue, but 
there are only three or four left to 
eat it now, and they include Jos. A. 
Sharp and Win. J. Vincent, of Rome. 

FLOYD.— (From the Rome News, 
Wednesday, April 6, 1921.)— Floyd 
County was named for Gen. Jno. Floyd 
because his Indian victories made it 
possible for white men to settle in com- 
parative safety in the region around 
Rome, according to Judge Junius F. 
Hillyer, who has furnished the follow- 
ing sketch on this intrepid leader, 
after an exhaustive search of books. 

"Gen. Floyd was born in South Caro- 
lina, came to Georgia early in life, and 
settled in Camden County, where he 
died June 27, 1829. His father was 
Capt. Chas. Floyd, a conspicuous sol- 
dier in the Revolutionary War, who 
wore on the front of his helmet a sil- 
ver crescent with the inscription, 'Lib- 
erty or Death.'* 

"Gen. Floyd was a member of the 
Georgia Legislature in 1803. Among 
his associates in that body were James 
Jackson, John Milledge and Josiah Tat- 
nall. Tatnall County, Jackson Coun. 
ty and Milledgeville in the state of 
Georgia bear respectively the names of 
these, his associates, and Floyd Coun- 
ty bears his name. 

"He was elected to Congress from 
Georgia in 1826, and served two years. 
He was appointed brigadier general of 
the Georgia Militia in 1803. His serv- 
ice with this command established his 
reputation for military skill and in- 
flexible patriotism. On one occasion 
the savages surprised a fort where 300 



men, women and children, except 17, 
v/ere cruelly put to death. Gen. Floyd 
was recognized as the proper man to 
suppress and avenge such wrongs. Ac- 
cordingly, Gov. Peter Early selected 
him to command the Georgia troops 
in an expedition against the Creeks 
and Choctaw Indians, who for some 
time had been troubling helpless fron- 
tier settlements of Georgia and Ala- 
bama. Co-operating with Gen. An- 
drew Jackson, he waged a destructive 
war against the savages, who were de- 
feated and permanently dispersed with 
great loss. The three famous battles 
of this campaign were fought at Au- 
tossee, Tallassee and Camp Defiance 
in Alabama. In one of these battles 
Gen. Floyd was severely wounded, but 
refused to retire from the field. His 
civic honors furnished proof of the 
high esteem in which he was held by 
his contemporaries. His success in the 
military service to which he was ap- 
pointed fully vindicated the judgment 
of Gov. Early in making the appoint- 
ment. The ability he displayed more 
than sustained his reputation and at 
the same time illustrated the energy 
and force of his character. 

"As a private citizen. Gen. Floyd is 
accredited to us by the historians as 
a man of lofty ideals and unspotted 
integrity, unscrupulous in moral dis- 
tinctions, honest with a warm and gen- 
erous nature. His military success no 
doubt contributed to the peaceful term- 
ination of Georgia's Indian problems. 
Soon after, in 1829, as stated. Gen. 
Floyd died; and then in 1833, the Geor- 
gia Legislature, as was fit, gave to 
Floyd County his name. It was emi- 
nently appropriate that the newly- 
made county, carved out of Georgia 
territory, should bear the name of 
Floyd, after her battle-scarred hero, 
whose recent victories had redeemed 
that territory from the Indian peril, 
thereby as if by magic transforming 
a semi-barbarous frontier into a veri- 
table Arcadia of civilization, and cap- 
italizing its dormant treasures into un- 
told millions of wealth for its deni- 
zens and the commonwealth at large. 

"The citizens of Floyd County are 
justly proud of their county because of 
its intrinsic merits; its incomparable 
situation and climate; its natural and 
acquired resources; and of its honor- 
able history. The county hopefully 
faces the dawn of a new era, in which 
it is to solve greater problems and win 

*Now in the possession of a grandson sev- 
eral times removed, Wm. G. McAdoo, of New 
York, formerly Secretai-y of the Treasury, and 
son-in-law of Woodrow Wilson. 



Encyclopedic Secti 



ON 



379 




A PEEK AT THE BERRY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. 

At top, mountain lassies at old-fashioned spinning wheels, and below, making rugs 
at the looms; boys building a house for the girls; the greenhouse; in oval, Miss Ida M. 
Tarbell and Miss Martha Berry, with students; at bottom, the rustic chapel, designed by a 
neighborhood character who thus expressed his interest in this seat of learning; the dining 
halls, which seat about 200. 



380 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



greater victories, in which its honored 
name is to put on new luster and to 
become more and more glorious." 

The Weekly Georgian, Savannah, 
printed the following squib under date 
of Saturday, July 6, 1839: "The late 
Gen. John Floyd. — The intelligence of 
the death of Gen. John Floyd has been 
received in this city. At one period 
of his life Gen. Floyd had the honor 
of representing his state m the Con. 
gress of the Union, and was always 
respected and esteemed in every sta- 
tion which his confiding fellow citizens 
invited him to occupy." 

Officers of the First Regiment of Sa- 
vannah, John Millen, chairman, and 
Jno. W. Anderson, secretary, passed 
resolutions of respect under date of 
July 3, 1839. 

Gen. Floyd served in the Twentieth 
Congress, 1827-9, with Tomlinson Fort, 
Chas. E. Haynes, Wiley Thompson, 
Richard Henry Wilds, Wilson Lump- 
kin and Geo. R. Gilmer, the last two 
of whom as Governors of Georgia 
fought hard for the removal of the 
Indians to the West. 

Lucian L. Knight, in Vol. II, Geor- 
gia's Landmarks, Memorials and Leg- 
ends (ps. 27-28) tells of a famous duel 
fought by Gen. Floyd with a Mr. Hop- 
kins in Camden County. Mr. Hopkins 
had been challenged, so it was his right 
under the existent code to name the 
weapons, and he stipulated that they 
should first shoot from a distance with 
shotguns, and if that did not bring a 
conclusion they would advance with 
pistols, and if that failed, they would 
fight with their Bowie knives. At the 
first or second stage Mr. Hopkins was 
so badly wounded that the duel was 
halted. Gen. Floyd's sons. Gen. Chas. 
L. Floyd and Captain Richard S. Floyd, 
also fought duels. 

FLOYD COUNTY LEGISLATORS. 
(From the State Department of His- 
tory, Atlanta.) 
Members of the State Senate: 1833- 
35, James Hemphill; 1836, William 
Smith; 1837, James Wells; 1838, Wil- 
liam Smith; 1839-40, Joseph Watters; 
1841-43, William Smith. 

From 1845 to 1853, there was a 
grouping of counties into districts (old 
system) , and Floyd was put in the 
Forty-Seventh District. There were 
four Senators during this period, two 
of whom were from Floyd: 1845-6, 
Thomas C. Hackett; 1851-2, Joseph 
Watters. 

From 1853 to 1861 there was a re- 



turn to the former basis of representa- 
tion, each county electing a Senator: 
1853-4, Jesse Lamberth; 1855-8, Ter- 
rence McGuire; 1859-60, Daniel S. 
Printup. 

Since 1861 Floyd has been in the 
Forty-Second District, and during this 
time she has furnished the following 
Senators: 1861-2, D. R. Mitchell; 
1865-6, C. H. Smith ("Bill Arp") ; 
1868-72, John T. Burns; 1877, James 
R. Gamble; 1880-1, R. T. Fouche; 
1886-7, L. A. Dean; 1888-9, James W. 
Harris; 1890-1, W. T. Irwin; 1898-9, 
R. T. Fouche; 1905-6, W. S. McHenrv; 
1911-12, W. H. Ennis; 1917-18, R. A. 
Denny; 1922-23, Jno. Camp Davis. 

Members of the House: 1833, John 
Ellis; 1835, John H. Lumpkin; 
1836, John Ellis; 1837-8, Jesse 
Lamberth; 1839-40, A. J. Liddell, 
Wesley Shropshire; 1841, Philip W. 
Hemphill, Alfred Brown; 1842, A. Ta- 
bor Hardin, John Townsend; 1843, Jer- 
emiah L. McArver, A. Tabor Hardin; 
1845, Nathan Yarbrough; 1847, Wm. 
T. Price; 1849-50, Isaac N. Culbertson; 
1851-2, Wm. T. Price; 1853-4, M. H. 
Haynie; 1855-6, W. B. Terhune, M. H. 
Haynie; 1857-8, J. W. H. Underwood 
(Speaker), W. R. Webster; 1859, Thos. 
W. Alexander, Z. B. Hargrove; 1861-2, 
Z. B. Hargrove, Geo. S. Black; 1863-4, 
Melville Dwinell, Kinchin Rambo; 1865, 
G. W. Thomas, W. A. Woods; 1868-72, 
Dr. M. R. Ballenger, Dunlap Scott; 
1873-4, Jno. R. Towers, Fielding Hight; 
1875-6, John W. Turner, D. B. Hamil- 
ton; 1877, Jno. R. Freeman, John H. 
Reece; 1878-9, A. J. King, John H. 
Reece; 1880-1, John W. Turner, Sea- 
born Wright; 1882-3, Seaborn Wright, 
W. G. Foster, Walker W. Brookes; 
1884-5, J. Lindsay Johnson, J. W. Tur- 
ner, J. M. Walker; 1886-7, J. M. Walk- 
er, C. N. Featherston, Richard A. 
Denny; 1888-9, J. W. Turner, J. W. 
Ewing, J. Lindsay Johnson; 1890-1, J. 
W. Turner, W. C.'Brvan, John J. Seay; 
1892-3, E. P. Price, W. C. Bryan, W. 
J. Neel; 1894-5, John H. Reece, Robt. 
T. Fouche, Moses Wright; 1896-7, Jas, 
B. Nevin, J. H. Reece, Wm. H. Ennis; 
1898-9, Richard A. Denny, J. Lindsay 
Johnson, W. C. Bryan; 1900-1, Jno. C. 
Foster, W. A. Knowles, Seaborn 
Wright; 1902-3, W. S. McHenry, W. A. 
Knowles, Wm. H. Ennis; 1905-6, G. B. 
Holder, Claude H. Porter, Seaborn 
Wright; 1907-8, Seaborn Wright, Lin- 
ton A. Dean, R. L. Chamblee; 1909-10, 
Claude H. Porter, G. B. Holder, Barry 
Wright; 1911-12, John C. Foster, G. 
D. Anderson, Walter Harris; 1913-14, 
John C. Foster, Barry Wright, W. J. 
Nunnally; 1915-16, G. D. Anderson, 



Encyclopedic Section 



381 



John W. Bale, A. W. Findley; 1917-18, 
John W. Bale, Seaborn Wright, James 
W. Russell; 1919-20, John W. Bale, 
Harper Hamilton, R. H. Copeland; 
1921-2, Harper Hamilton, Jno. Camp 
Davis, Jas. W. Salmon; 1923-4, Lee J. 
Langley, Jas. P. Jones, J. Scott Davis. 

FLOYD INFANTRY. — Organized 
at Rome in March, 1861, by Jno. Fred- 
erick Cooper, son of Hon. Mark An. 
thony Cooper, of Cass County, and 
father of J. Paul Cooper, of Rome, and 
Walter G. Cooper, of Atlanta. It 
started with 46 men; good-byes were 
said May 10, 1861, for the boys were 
going straight to Virginia. 

An item in The Courier said: "The 
Infantry were escorted to the station 
by the other companies then forming. 
The train moved off amid the cheers 
of the crowd and the thunders of ar- 
tillery." 

The original officers follow: Cap- 
tain, Jno. F. Cooper; first lieutenant, 
D. C. Hargrove; second, John H. 
Reece; third, R. W. Echols; first ser- 
geant, Harvey M. Langston; second, 
G. G. Martin; third, Henry Burns; 
fourth, L. P. Bryant; fifth, John Osley; 
first corporal, T. B. Moore; second, J. 
P. Duke; third, Harvey Shackelford; 
fourth, Henry Cohen. Before the 
company left, D. C. Hargrove joined 
the Light Guards, and was killed July 
21, 1861, at the First Battle of Ma. 
nassas. 

Equipment was poor, and only 46 
of the following 74 privates went out 
with the first contingent: Wm. T. 
Allen, J. D. Alton, Joel Bagwell, B. P. 
Barker, T. J. Barber, Frank Bean, R. 
O. Beavers, Jr., Wm. Bishop, Julius 
Borck, W. C. Brantley, J. J. Buchan- 
an, J. M. Burns, F. M. Burrow, J. L. 
Callahan, W; J. Chastain, M. E. Coop, 
er, Howell Davis, W. J. Drennon, J. H. 
Drummond, J. H. Dunn, J. H. Echols, 
T. C. Estes, L. H. Farmer, L. J. Far- 
mer, B. L. Ford, M. B. Formby, W. E. 
Fowler, A. J. Cordon, J. M. Cordon, 
J. M. Green, Geo. W. Griffith, W. A. 
Hammett, A. W. Harshaw, Wm. Hen- 
derson, W. Henderson, W. J. Hidle, W. 
R. Hidle, J. L. Holbrook, F. N. Hop- 
kins, J. D. Hubbard, Adolphus Jonas, 
C. D. Lumpkin, Edward Maness, J. F. 
Mandry, A. F. Manning, T. R. Martin, 
Wm. McGuire, T. M. McKinney, L. 



*Rome's Sunday School superintendents 
have met with sad fates in war. Geo. T. Sto- 
vall, of the First Methodist, was killed at First 
Manassas, and A. Walton Shanklln, Head of 
the same institution in 1917, was killed In 
France in 1918 as a soldier of the World Walr. 
apt. Melville winell, who preceded Mr. Sto- 
vall as superintendent, came out unscathed. 



Morrow, S. J. Nowlin, J. H. Overby, 
F. A. Owings, John Padget, J. L. Phil- 
lips, D. A. Pool, G. B. Quarles, A. J. 
Reed, John Reeves, C. B. Rogers, J. 
W. Selman, J. P. Smith, W. A. Smith, 
Geo. Somers, J. B. Stallings, J. H. 
Steadman, R. M. Stephens, H. A. 
Stone, Jack Tate, G. M. Tolbert, J. T. 
Wamack, R. I. H. Warren. A. White, 
F. R. Woodel, Thos. Wright. 

Among the Manassas casualties were 
W. T. Chastain, George Martin, A. W. 
Harshaw, F. M. Mandry, J. T. War- 
mack and J. H. Dunn, killed; Capt. 
Cooper, Oswell B. Eve and Thos. J. 
Hills, mortally wounded. Capt. Coop- 
er was shot in the knee or the leg, and 
refused to submit to amputation. Com- 
plications set in and he died several 
weeks later at Culpepper, Va. Mr. Hills 
died about two weeks after the battle. 
He had been superintendent of the 
Sunday School at Running Waters,* 
the John Ridge place north of Rome. 

FORREST MONUMENT.— Broad 
Street at Second Avenue; about 20 
feet high, with reduced figure of Gen. 
Forrest at top. Presented to Rome by 
the United Daughters of the Confed- 
eracy, assisted by other organizations, 
and unveiled Friday, Apr. 23, 1909, 
by Sarah Elizabeth Bass; presentation 
speech by Judge Jno. W. Maddox; ac- 
ceptance by Mayor Thos. W. Lips- 
comb; prayer by Rev. C. B. Hudgins, 
rector of St. Luke's Episcopal church, 
and Rev. Chas. C. Jarrell, pastor of 
the First Methodist church; present: 
Governor-elect Jos. M. Brown, Con- 
gressman Jas. A. Tawney (Minn.), 
Jno. A. Moon (Tenn.), Jno. L. Bur- 
nett (Ala.) and Gordon Lee (Ga.). 
The monument inscriptions feature the 
capture of Gen. Abel D. Streight's 
force Sunday, May 3, 1863, at Law- 
rence, Ala., by a handful of men under 
Gen. Forrest, and the march of the 
prisoners to Rome. 

* * * 

FORT JACKSON RESERVOIR.— 
When the old waterworks system built 
by the Nobles, consisting of the pump- 
ing station near Fourth Avenue and 
the N., C. & St. L. railroad and the 
tower on Neely School Hill, was aban. 
doned, the modern reservoir on Ft. 
Jackson and the pumping station a 
mile below on the Oostanaula River 
were constructed. This work was done 
in 1892 and 1893 while Sam S. King, 
Sr., was mayor, and Louis J. Wagner 
was City Engineer in charge. Wm. J. 
Griffin was chairman of the water- 
works committee, made up of Chas. W. 



382 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



Underwood and W. H. Steele in 1892 
and of J. F. McClure and Wm. A. 
("Blue Billy") Wright in 1893. The 
filter plant was opened for use Jan. 
27, 1900. The original cost was $20,- 
000. 

City Manager Sam S. King furnishes 
the following information : 

The Fort Jackson plant has been in- 
creased steadily until it is made up 
of seven filters; one 2,000,000-gallon 
settlement basin; one 1,000,000. gallon 
settlement basin; one 500,000-gallon 
clear water basin; one emergency 
stand pipe of 18,000 gallons (the city 
clock tower) ; two 2,000,000-gallon 
compressed steam pumps; one 4,500,- 
000-gallon electric drum centrifugal 
pump; 36 miles of cast-iron water 
mains; 269 hydrants for the fire de- 
partment's use; 3,200 water services 
(individual and company taps, etc.) ; 
also chlorine apparatus, alum tanks, 
pumps and other necessary apparatus. 

Sam M. Frye is the superintendent 
at Fort Jackson reservoir, and Jno. T. 
Sessler is the engineer in charge of 
the pumping station at the Oostanaula 
River. Both are constantly on their 
jobs to give Rome one of the best flows 
of pure water to be found anywhere. 
The Municipal swimming pool near 
the jail puts an extra tax upon the 
apparatus, but the officials say they 
can stand the racket. If it were not 
for the pool, perhaps, more water 
would be needed to bathe the children 
at home. 



FOSTER'S INFANTRY.— This Civil 
War organization was formed in Floyd 
County down the Coosa River by Col. 
W. Green Foster in 1861. The fol- 
lowing account is taken from a Rome 
Tribune account of about 1910: 

"A feature of the recent Memorial 
Day in Rome was the tattered old 
battle-flag carried by the thin gray 
line of veterans. The flag's dingy 
folds show a crimson stain, the blood 
of one of the color bearers, who fell, 
shot dead, across the flag. 

"The colors were carried through 
the war by Co. D of the 65th Geor- 
gia. This was the company and reg- 
iment of Col. W. G. Foster. That 
officer enlisted in 1861, and was 
made second lieutenant. Later he be- 
came captain. In 1862 there was a 
reorganization into six companies of 
infantry and six of cavalry, which 
were called Smith's Legion of the First 
Georgia, Partisan Rangers. 

"In 1863, after the campaign through 
Kentucky, there was again a reorgani- 
zation, and they were assigned to 



Walker's division of the 65th Georgia, 
and later still to Cheatham's division. 
Gist's brigade. The general was killed 
at Franklin, Tenn., and then Col. Fos- 
ter was put in command of the brigade 
and remained in this position until the 
surrender. He was in line for the rank 
of brigadier general, but never received 
his commission. 

"The hardest fighting of the regi- 
ment was at Franklin, Tenn., where 
the color bearers were killed. After 
the first fall, Col. Foster picked 
up the colors and was almost instant- 
ly shot through the arm, and the staff' 
of the flag was shot off. Private Da- 
vis then picked up the colors, and car- 
ried them along until the flag was stuck 
on the breastworks captured by the 
regiment. 

"At the surrender the color-bearer 
tore the colors from the staff, and 
stuffed them in his boot, thus keep- 
ing possession of them. They are still 
in the possession of the surviving mem. 
bers of the company, and are an object 
of reverence to all, and especially to 
those who know of their history. 

"The company and regiment saw 
much hard fighting in this vicinity. 
Its roster included many familiar 
names, some of whom are still living, 
and others whose memory is perpetu- 
ated by their descendants. The gen- 
eral engamenets of the regiment and 
the roll of Company D follows: 

Perryville, Ky., Big Creek Gap, 
Tenn., and Snake Creek Gap, Tenn., 
1862; Chickamauga, Ga., Missionary 
Ridge, Tenn., Ringgold, Ga., (Nov. 
27), 1863; Mill Creek Gap (May 9), 
Dug Creek Gap (May 8), Resaca, Ga. 
(May 15), Lay's Ferry (May 15), 
New Hope Church, Pickett's Mill 
(May 27), Allatoona, Ga. (Oct. 5), 
Kennesaw Mt. (June 27), capture of 
Degress' Battery (July 7), Franklin, 
Tenn. (Dec. 1), Nashville, Tenn. (Dec. 
15), 1864;' surrendered at Greensboro, 
N. C, 1865. 

Officers: Captain, W. Green Foster; 
first lieutenant, J. F. Morton; second 
lieutenant, F. T. Griffin; third lieu- 
tenant, A. C. Hawkins; orderly ser- 
geant, H. Hammond; second sergeant, 

C. V. pass; third sergeant, H. P. Cross- 
man; fourth sergeant, J. P. McDonald; 
corporals, H. V. Bruce, J. W. McDon- 
ald, Jos. Davis, J. L. Worthington. 

Privates: A. D. Anderson, D. D. 
Anderson, S. J. Anderson, L. H. Aus- 
tin, M. Alfred, J. W. H. Burnes, F. 
Brewer, D. M. Coleman, J. E. Cook, I. 
Chapman, F. A. Chapman, C. Cordle, 

D. P. Copeland, W. H. Collier, R. C. 



Encyclopedic Section 



383 



Cox, E. Garter, H. Carter, W. M. 
Crocker, E. M. Dyer, Jno. Davis, B. M. 
Davenport, Jos. Espy, J. H. English, 
Thomas Edge, W. M. Fincher, A. V. 
Ford, C. Green, R. S. Glasgow, V. A. 

C. Harbin, J. N. Hendricks, Eli Hub- 
bard, J. T. Holtzclaw, W. D. Hawkins, 
T. J. Harris, J. V. Huff, R. Jackson, 

D. J. Kenney, W. M. King, J. A. Lyons, 
J. D. Lynch, W. A. Martin, D. A.' Mil. 
ler, Eli Miller, A. P. Milam, T. Ma- 
roney, W. Nelson, P. M. Nelson, R. F. 
Patman, F. M. Penson, W. D. Penson, 
W. Phelps, W. C. D. Phelps, J. L. 
Reese, J. J. Reese, Isaac Ramsey, H. A. 
Roe, W. T. Selman, J. J. Smith, W. T. 
Strickland, Charles Snow, W. R. Ship- 
ley, R. Sherwood, Jno. Talley, T. J. 
Wortham, F. M. Watters, J. W. Wat- 
ters, S. B. Worthington, J. H. Worth- 
ington, C. Worthington, Robt. Worth- 
ington, John Worthington, Jack Worth- 
ington, Samuel Worthington, G. B. 
Whitehead, F. W. Young, T. V. Young, 
S. H. Zuber, J. B. Zuber, J. L. Gravit, 
Jim Webb. 

A ^' ;': 

HARBIN HOSPITAL.— This insti- 
tution, of which Rome is justly proud, 
was established in 1908 with twelve 
beds by Drs. Robt. Maxwell Harbin 
and William Pickens Harbin, brothers. 
In 1917 a new fireproof 40-bed, four- 
story structure was opened, and the 
original building was converted into a 
nurses' dormitory. This dormitory, by 
the way, was once occupied as a resi- 
dence by Henry W. Grady, who brought 
his bride there from Athens. It is lo- 
cated at the southeast corner of Third 
Avenue and East First Street, directly 
opposite the First Presbyterian church ; 
and beside it on Third Avenue is the 
hospital proper. 

In 1920 three additional stories and 
other enlargements were added to the 
main building, raising the bed capacity 
to 75, and making in all a seven-story 
building. The architects were R. S. 
Pringle and the late W. T. Downing, 
of Atlanta, with M. J. Sturm, hospital 
architect of Chicago, as consultant, and 
the concrete engineers were Spiker & 
Lose, of Atlanta. 

The building is a marvel of sturdi- 
ness, architectural beauty and com- 
pleteness, and is highly symbolic of the 
character of work performed by the 
staff. It contains every modern im- 
provement and convenience, such as 
vapor heating and electric light signal 
systems, silent calls, running hot and 
cold water in every room, linoleum on 
cement floors in corridors, nqiseless 
closing doors, three complete operating 
rooms, large sun parlors on three 



floors, private telephone exchange with 
telephones in private rooms, etc. The 
safety gate elevator runs from base- 
ment to roof garden. The kitchens are 
models of cleanliness and the cuisine is 
in charge of an expert. 

The structure represents practically 
all the savings from hospital income 
and professional fees during the life 
of the owners, with obligations to last 
five or ten years, and the idea of serv- 
ice to patients has been put ahead of 
the idea of material gain. Romans 
who understand the spirit of the insti- 
tation are as proud of it as of any. 
thing that Rome boasts. 

Disinterested opinions, however, are 
even more convincing. The 1922 re- 
port of the American College of Sur- 
geons on hospital standardization 
places the Harbin Hospital among 
three others in Georgia which stood the 
test conducted in 1921. The others 
were the Georgia Baptist and Grady 
hospitals in Atlanta and the hospital 
of the Medical Department of the Uni- 
versity of Georgia at Augusta. 

Harbin Hospital was given a rating 
of 100% at the first inspection, and Dr. 
Franklin D. Martin, director general 
of the American College of Surgeons, 
wrote as follows from Chicago under 
date of Dec. 27, 1921: 

"You are aware of the fact, no doubt, 
that your hospital appears on the 1921 
list of hospitals meeting the minimum 
standard of the College. This recog- 
nition by the College is, we feel, a 
well deserved one. Hospital stand- 
ardization, in essence, is the desire for 
welfare of the patient felt by the com- 
bined medical and hospital professions 
• — a desire put into action and made 
practicable. Your splendid work and 
the fruits of it, which are apparent in 
your community, must afford you more 
gratification than the stamp of our 
approval ever can. However, it gives 
us real pleasure to recognize and to 
commemorate the stand for better hos- 
pital service which you have made. 

"There are yet further advances to 
be made in the hospital, just as in med- 
icine itself. With the co-operation of 
the medical and hospital professions, 
however, these advances cannot fail to 
be realized." 

On the attending staff are Drs. R. 
M. and W. P. Harbin and W. H. Lewis, 
and on the associate staff Drs. Wm. J. 
Shaw (President), Ross P. Cox, Geo. 
B. Smith, J. Turner McCall, J. C. 
Watts, A. C. Shamblin and M. M. Mc- 
Cord. Dr. W. P. Harbin is also physi- 
cian to the Berry School. 



384 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 




AN INSTITUTION WITH A FINE RECORD. 

The Harbin Hospital, erected by Drs. Robt. M. and Wm. P. Harbin at Third Avenue and 
East First Street, is not only one of the handsomest structures in the city, but it has scored 
practically perfect in the rigid test conducted by the American College of Surgeons, and 
is one of four Georgia hospitals with the highest rating. 



Miss Blanche Rakestraw, to whom 
much of the credit for the success of 
the institution is due, is superin- 
tendent; Miss Agnes Gattis is super- 
intendent of nurses; Miss Velma 
Owens is night supervisor; Miss So- 
phie Pintchuck is technician of the 
clinical laboratory; Miss B. L. Rob- 
erts is technician of the X-ray labor- 
atory; W. C. Bell is secretary and 
treasurer; Miss Nell Sloan is book, 
keeper; Miss Christine Smith is his- 
torian; Mrs. C. Bryan is dietician, and 
Miss Bessie Carlson is reception room 
clerk. 

J. Paul Cooper, whose numerous 
gifts to public enterprises have placed 
Rome under lasting obligations, sev- 
eral years ago bought 100 mg. of ra- 
dium at a cost of about $11,000, which 
he placed at the disposal of the hos- 



pital, and which has greatly facilitat- 
ed the treatment of numerous com- 
plicated cases. 

* ■* * 

HIGHLAND RANGERS. — This 
Cave Spring company of 66 cavalry- 
men left for the Civil War front from 
Broad Street, Rome, on Saturday, Apr. 
5, 1862, according to the Tri-Weekly 
Courier of Apr. 8. The muster roll 
follows : 

Officers: M. H. Haynie, captain; B. 
C. Montgomery, first lieutenant; A. Y. 
Harper, second lieutenant; E. S. Grim- 
met, second lieutenant; E. Leslie, first 
sergeant; J. Simmons, second sergeant; 
S. Reynolds, third sergeant; M. Bobo, 
fourth sergeant; F. Milligan, fifth ser- 
geant; J. V. Bobo, first corporal; J. 
C. Herrage, second corporal ; D. M. 
Dempsey, third corporal; S. K. Hogue, 



Encyclopedic Section 



385 



fourth corporal; W. H. Herrage, en- 

sign. 

Privates: J. W. Abrams, R. W. Ba- 
ker, R. Barker, J. H. Dean, V. H. 
Dean, Y. P. Dean, B. W. Dempsey, A. 
Dollar, H. J. Dollar, W. Dollar, C. C. 
Ellis, D. E. Elmore, J. Elmore, J. Q. 
Ferguson, G. G. Gill, J. A. Graham, 
J. T. Greenwood, M. T. Greenwood, J. 
J. Hamilton, J. Hayes, H. Herrage, J. 
Higgenbottam, W. W. Hunt!, G. B. 
Johns, M. Knight, J. McKibbins, J. 
McKelvy, W. H. Montgomery, J. Oli- 
ver, Jno. T. Prior, T. M. Putnam, Wm. 
N. Pricket, B. H. Reynolds, D. Rey- 
nolds, J. M. Reynolds, H. Richardson, 
M. J. Richardson, B. R. Simmons, W. 
J. Simmons, E. W. Sanders, W. B. 
Sanders, M. H. Shoemake, Geo. T. 
Watts, W. C. West, J. H. Wharton, L. 
W. Wharton, J. B. White, J. W. Wil- 
kins, N. W. Williams, W. A. Williams, 
O. R. Witcher, T. Witcher. 

Another company of Highland Ran- 
gers, from Rome and vicinity, numer. 
ing 96 men, was listed in The Courier 
of Saturday, Apr. 12, 1862. It is likely 
they had been sent to Camp McDon- 
ald at Big Shanty (Kennesaw) a few 
days before, for they joined in the 
cross-country chase the same day after 
Andrews' wild raiders. The muster 
roll : 

Officers: J. L. Kerr, captain; J. M. 
Pepper, first lieutenant; R. S. Zuber, 
second lieutenant; S. M. May, ensign; 
L. R. Wragg, first sergeant; J. M. 
Webb, second sergeant; Davis Long, 
third sergeant; L. Weathers, fourth 
sergeant; J. R. Penny, first corporal; 
L. W. Webb, second corporal; J. W. 
Witzell, third corporal; W. G. Ney- 
man, fourth corporal. 

Privates: V. S. Allen, Z. Y. Allen, 
C. Anderson, J. F. Ashworth, Gilbert 
Atwood, J. H. Aycock, W. L. H. Bar- 
nett, J. Y. Briscoe, Y. R. Brown, J. J. 
Buchanan, T. S. Burney, A. L. Capps, 
S. B. Carley, W. D. Cheney, J. S. Clem- 
ents, M. L. Clontz, M. Cooley, Francis 
M. Coulter, C. S. Cox, John Cox, R. J. 
Cox, C. Cuzzart, J. P. Davidson, A. H. 
Davis, Jr., S. L. Davison, E. Denning- 
ton, S. Dennington, S. B. Ellis, A. G. 
Felmont, J. A. Franks, J. H. Graves, 
A. S. Griswell, M. P. Hall, H. C. Har- 
dy, A. B. Henson, A. Holcombe, W. J. 
Holmes, E. Huckeby, W. H. Johnson, 
W. H. King, J. W. Lawrence, Barnett 
Leak, Moses Lockelen, R. T. Logan, 
W. S. Lumpkin, W. A. Lyle, R. R. 
McGee, Z. McGuffee, A. W. Metcalf, 
C. S. Montgomery, B. C. Moore, 
Samuel Moore, L. Morris, Willis 
Morris L. Morrow, P. M. Y. 



Mydliin, M. L. Overby, J. W. 
Padgett, Willis Pannel, Robt. Phillips, 
W. H. Pruitt, L. Rabun, W. M. Rabun, 
Ransom Raunes, Jno. Reeves, J. M. 
Reynolds, E. M. Robinson, J. J. Rob- 
inson, H. R. Smith, T. Z. Smith, A. 
Sorrell, N. B. Terry, Jas. Tomlinson, 
S. Tomlinson, G. W. Warren, J. K. 
Warren, W. H. Watters, Alex West, 
J. Y. Wilson, D. H. Wimpee. G. W. 
Wimpee, M. A. Wimpee, T. N. Wimpee, 
E. K. Winnett. 

HILLS O' ROME, THE SUBLIM- 
ATED SEVEN.— Sir Walter Scott 
must have been standing on a hill ad- 
miring the place of his birth when he 
piped in the sixth canto of "The Lay 
of the Last Minstrel" the following: 

"Breathes there the man with soul so 

dead, 
Who never to himself hath said, 
'This is my own, my native land!' 
Whose heart hath ne'er within him 

burned 
As home his footsteps he hath turned 
From wandering on a foreign strand?" 

For to properly appreciate a place 
means not alone to grind faithfully 
through the years; not, in the case of 
Romans, to ply merely between home 
and busy Broad; but to climb the 
heights and there obtain a perspective 
which nature offers only to those who 
are willing to climb. Nature's master- 
piece is well calculated to beget a 
spirit of progress, pride and achieve- 
ment, yet how many have ever viewed 
it? Everybody in Rome has seen Mt. 
Alto, Lavender and New Shorter Hill 
from Rome. How many have seen the 
far more picturesque sight of Rome 
from Alto, Lavender or Shorter Hill? 
Poets, bestir yourselves! Belated 
climbers, forsake the low ground and 
mount the heights! 

Here are the seven hills, mostly 
within the city limits, concerning which 
Rome yields nothing of beauty to her 
worthy namesake on the historic Ti- 
ber: 

Tower Hill, supporting the majestic 
clock tower and the Neely grammar 
school. 

Old Shorter Hill, with its castle-like 
spires, once supporting Shorter Col- 
lege, whose buildings now fly the flag 
of the Rome High School. 

Lumpkin Hill (Eighth Avenue), 
which looks down on the old Seventh 
Avenue cemetery and Rome from close 
range. 

Blossom Hill, North Rome suburb, 
which swirling freshets ne'er disturb 



386 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



sonis in spring time furnish a sweet 
aroma for the breezes to waft over 
Rome. 

Fort Jackson, historic in its battle 
trenches, and from which North Rome 
resembles a pearl in a setting of plat- 
inum, and the Valley of the Oostanaula 
stretches away to the north like the 
velvety approach to the palace of a 
king. 

Mt. Aventine, the ridge of mysterious 
name which parallels the purling Eto- 
wah in South Rome. 

Myrtle Hill, where sleep the patron 
saints of Rome, who beckon in tender 
tones for all to come and rest when 
their earthly tasks are done. 

INDIAN CLANS.— There were orig- 
inally seven clans in the Cherokee In- 
dian nation: Wolf, Deer, Paint, Long- 
hair, Bird, Blind (or Long) Savan- 
nah and Holly. John Ross belonged 
to the Bird clan. Major Ridge to the 
Deer, Clement Neeley Vann and David 
Vann probably to the Wolf. The cus- 
toms relevant to the clan system fell 
into disuse shortly after 1800.* 

The seal of the Cherokee Nation was 
a double circle with a seven-pointed 
star (each point representing a clan) 
in the center; between star points and 
inner circle was a wreath ; in the space 
between circles were some Sequoyan 
characters, in the center of which were 
the letters "cwy." Prosperous members 
of the various clans today use this seal 
on their stationery, and surmount it 
with a wolf, bird or other object re- 
ferring to their particular clans. 
* * * 

INDIAN DISTRICTS.— The Com- 
mittee and Council of the Cherokee 
Nation in 1820 divided the remaining 
territory into eight districts, and Chas. 
R. Hicks, principal chief, approved 
them, according to The Laws of the 
Cherokee Nation, published by the 
Cherokee Advocate Office, Tahlequah, 
Indian Territory, 1852. The districts 
were Amoah, Aquohee, Challoogee, 
Chickamaugee, Coosewatee, Etowah, 
Hickory Log and Tahquohee. Chal- 
loogee, Chickamaugee, Coosewattee and 
Etowah included Floyd County, and 
several of them cornered at "Forks of 
Coosa." The descriptions are: 

1 — The First District shall be called 
by the name Chickamaugee, and be 
bounded as follows: Beginning at the 
mouth of Armuchee Creek, on Oosta- 
nallah River, thence north in a straight 
course to a spring branch between the 
island and Rackoon Village; thence a 
straight course over the Lookout Moun- 



tain, where the heads of Wills and 
Lookout Creeks oppose against each 
other on the Blue Ridge; then a 
straight course to the main source of 
Rackoon Creek, and down the same 
into the Tennessee River, and up said 
river to the mouth of Ooletiwah Creek, 
and up said creek to take the most 
southeastern fork; thence a southern 
course to the mouths of Sugar Creek, 
into the Connasauga River, and down 
the said river to its confluence with 
Oostennallah River, and down the 
same to the place of beginning. 

2— The Second District shall be 
called by the name Challoogee, and be 
bounded as follows : Beginning on the 
mouth of Rackoon Creek, in the Ten- 
nessee River, and down the said river 
to the boundary line, commonly called 
Coffee's line, and along said line where 
it strikes Wills Creek, and down the 
said creek to its confluence with the 
Coosa River; and thence embracing 
the boundary line between the Chero- 
kees and Creeks, run by Wm. Mcin- 
tosh and other Cherokee Commission- 
ers by the respective nations, running 
southeastwardly to its intersection with 
Chinibee's Trace, and along said trace 
leading eastwardly by Avery Vann's 
place, including his plantation, and 
thence on said trace to where it crosses 
the Etowah River, at the old ford 
above the fork, and down said river to 
its confluence with Oostennallah River, 
and up said river to the mouth of Ar- 
muchee Creek, and to be bounded by 
the First District. 

3— The Third District shall be 
called by the name Coosewattee, and 
bounded as follows: Beginning at the 
Widow Fool's Ferry, on Oostannallah 
River where the Alabama Road crosses 
it, along said wagon road eastwardly, 
leading toward Etowah Town to a 
large creek above Thomas Pettit's 
plantation, near to the Sixes, and said 
creek northeastward to its source; 
thence a straight course to the head of 
Talloney Creek, up which the Federal 
Road leads; thence a straight course 
to the Red Bank Creek, near Cartikee 
Village; thence a straight course to 
the head source of Potato Mine Creek; 
thence a straight course to the head 
of Clapboard Creek; thence a straight 
course to the most southern head 
source of Cannasawgee River, to strike 
opposite to the mouth of Sugar Creek 
into the Cannasawgee River, and to 
be bounded by the First and Second 
Districts. 



♦Authority : Dr. Emmet Starr, Oklahoma 
City, Okla., a member of the Wolf clan. 



Encyclopedic Section 



387 



TCNNESSEIE 



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4— The Fourth District shall be 
called by the name of Amoah, and be 
bounded as follows: Beginning at the 
head source of Cannasawgee River, 
where the Third District strikes the 
said source; thence eastwardly a 
straight course to Spring Town, above 
Hiwassee Old Town; thence to the 
boundary line run by Col. Houston, 
where it crosses Sloan Creek; thence 
westwardly along said line to the Hi- 
wassee River; thence down said river 



into the Tennessee River, and down 
the same to the mouth of Ooletiwah 
Creek, and to be bounded by the First 
and Third Districts. 

5— The Fifth District shall be 
called by the name of Hickory Log, 
and shall be bounded as follows: Be- 
ginning at the head of Potato Mine 
Creek, on the Blue Ridge, thence 
southeastwardly along the Blue Ridge 
to where Cheewostoyeh path crosses 
said ridge, and along said path to the 



388 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



head branch of Frog Town Creek, and 
down the same to its confluence with 
Tahsantee; thence down the Chestotee 
River, and into the Chattahoochee Riv- 
er, and down the same to the shallow 
wagon ford on said river, above the 
standing Peach Tree; thence westward 

along said wagon road leading to 

Town, to where it crosses Little River, 
a fork of the Etowah River, and down 
the same to its confluence with Etowah 
River, and down the same in a direct 
course to a large creek, and up said 
creek to where the road crosses it to 
the opposite side, and to be bounded 
by the Third District. 

6 — The Sixth District shall be called 
by the name Etowah, and be bounded 
as follows: Beginning on the Chat- 
tahoochee River, at the shallow wagon 
ford on said river, and down the same 
to the Buzzard Roost, where the Creek 
and Cherokee boundary line intersects 
the said river; thence along said boun- 
dary line westward to where it inter- 
sects Chinibee's Trace, and to be bound- 
ed by the Fifth and Third Districts, 
leaving Thos. Pettit's family in Eto- 
wah District. 

7— The Seventh District shall be 
known by the name of Tahquohee, and 
be bounded as follows: Beginning 




LEE JEFFERSON LANGLEY, lawyer and 
writer whom the voters of Floyd elected to 
the Legislature Sept. 13, 1922. 



where Col. Houston's boundary line 
crosses Slare's Creek, thence along said 
boundary line southeastwardly to the 
Unicoy Turnpike road, and along said 
road to where it crosses the Hiwassee 
River, in the Valley Towns; thence a 
straight course to the head source of 
Coosa Creek, on the Blue Ridge above 
Cheewostoyeh, and along said ridge 
eastwardly, where the Unicoy Turn- 
pike road crosses it, and thence a di- 
rect course to the head source of Per- 
simmon Creek; thence down the same 
to the confluence of Tahsantee, and 
with the Frog Town Creek; and to 
be bound by the Third, Fourth and 
Fifth Districts. 

8— The Eighth District shall be 
known by the name of Aquohee and be 
bounded as follows: Beginning where 
the Seventh District intersects the 
Blue Ridge, where the Unicoy Turn- 
pike road crosses the same, thence 
along said line to the confluence of 
Nanteyalee and Little Tennessee 
River; thence down the same to Tal- 
lassee Village; thence along said boun- 
dary line westwardly to where it in- 
tersects the Unicoy Turnpike road, 
and to be bounded by the Seventh Dis- 
trict. 

The districts were to hold their 
councils or courts as follows: 

The first Mondays in May and Sep- 
tember for Chickamaugee, Coosewattee, 
Hickory Log and Aquohee, and the sec- 
ond Mondays in May and September 
for Amoah, Etowah and Tahuohee. 
(Challogee was omitted). 

It would appear from a rough trac- 
ing of these boundaries that the fol- 
lowing places would be included as set 
forth : 

First District (Chickaniaugee) : Dal- 
ton, Villanow, Curryville, Sugar Val- 
ley, Floyd Springs, the Pocket, Chick- 
amauga, LaFayette, Rising Fawn, 
Chattanooga, Ooltewah, Tenn., and a 
few towns in upper DeKalb and east- 
ern Jackson County, Ala. 

Second District (Challoogee) : All of 
Floyd County west of a north-and- 
south line running through the forks 
of the rivers at Rome: South Rome, 
East Rome, West Rome, Lindale, Sil- 
ver Creek, Cave Spring, Mt. Berry, 
Armuchee, Rice's Spring, Coosa, Liv- 
ingston, etc., and Cedartown; all of 
Chattooga County and a narrow part 
of lower Walker County; all of Cher- 
okee, the central part of DeKalb and 
the upper parts of Cleburne and Cal- 
houn Counties, Ala. 

Third District (Coosewattee) : The 



Encyclopedic Section 



389 



main part of Rome between the rivers, 
and all the towns north of the Etowah 
River as far east as Cassville, includ. 
ing Adairsville, Barnsley Gardens, all 
of Gordon County and Murray and 
such of Cohutta Mountain as is in Gil- 
mer County. 

Fourth District (Amoah) : The 
smallest section of the eight, lying 
north of the First District, and includ- 
ing practically all of James and Brad- 
ley Counties, Tenn., and one-eighth of 
Polk in the western part. 

Fifth District (Hickory Log) : Car- 
tersville and the eastern third of Bar- 
tow County, three-fourths of the north- 
ern parts of Cherokee and Forsyth, 
and one-fourth of the northern part 
of Milton, all of Pickens and Dawson 
Counties, all except one-tenth, the 
northwestern corner of Gilmer; the 
southern part of Fannin, the southern 
tip of Union and the western half of 
Lumpkin, with Dahlonega. This dis- 
trict follows such part of the old treaty 
boundary, the Chattahoochee River, as 
lies north of the shallow ford on the 
river in the lower end of Forsyth Coun- 
ty northeastward to Dahlonega. 

Sixth District (Etowah) : All that 
section south of the Etowah and north- 
west of the Chattahoochee, including 
the southeastern section of Floyd Coun- 
ty, Kingston and the southwestern 
quarter of Bartow County, and the 
eastern half of Polk, the lower tip of 
Forsyth, nearly all of Milton, the lower 
fifth of Cherokee, parts of Chambers, 
Cleburne and Randolph Counties, Ala., 
and western parts of Heard and Troup 
(to West Point), and all of the coun- 
ties of Cobb, Paulding, Haralson, 
Douglas, and Carroll in Georgia. 

Seventh District (Tahquohee) : Most 
of Polk County, Tenn., the lower part 
of Cherokee and the southwestern part 
of Clay in North Carolina, the north- 
ern half of Fannin County, the east- 
ern half of Lumpkin, northern of Hall, 
western half of Towns and White, and 
nearly all of Union in Georgia. 

Eighth District (Aquohee) : The 
northwestern part of Habersham, 
eastern half of Towns, western half of 
Rabun, Western North Carolina west 
of the Little Tennessee River, includ- 
ing most of Macon, Clay and Chero- 
kee Counties in North Carolina. 

In general, the Cherokee territory at 
this time embraced all of the north- 
west portion of the state, known as 
Cherokee Georgia, bounded on the 
southeast by the Chattahoochee River 
and its tributaries in Northeast Geor- 
gia; the southwestern portion of North 



Carolina as far east as the Little Ten- 
nessee River; the Southeastern portion 
of Tennessee south of the Hiawassee 
River and east and south of the Ten- 
nessee, bordering on Fannin, Murray, 
Whitfield, Walker, Catoosa and Dade 
Counties in Georgia ; and westward in 
Alabama to the Tennessee River and 
Attalla and Gadsden on the Coosa, 
and thence following the Cherokee- 
Creek boundary line run by Wm. Mc- 
intosh and others, and then Chinibee's 
Trace and the Cherokee-Creek line to 
the Chattahoochee River near Colum- 
bus. 

* * =i: 

INDIANS, INDIVIDUAL.— Follow- 
ing is a list of Indians who composed 
part of the mammoth assemblage 
which congregated at Running Waters, 
near Rome, July 19, 20 and 21, 1835. 
By consulting the list of Indian dis- 
tricts and the towns in them, it is pos- 
sible to fix approximately the local 
range of many red-skins and identify 
the "Rome Indians," who lived in Chal- 
loogee, Chickamaugee, Coosewattee and 
Etow-ah districts. Little Meat is known 
to have lived at Cave Spring, Wood- 
ward and Ground Mole (or Ground 
Hog) at Pinson Station, Tah-chan-sie 




ROBT. H. CLAGETT, managing editor of The 
Rome News and a constructive force in the 
movement for a bigger Rome. 



390 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



in Floyd near Adairsville, and Wm. 


Spring Frog 


Listening 


J. Carter ("Urekus" or "Wild Cat") 


Axe 


Crow 


in Sugar Valley, 


Gordon County. 


Shoe 


Little Dog 


District 


of Amoah. 


Situaga 
Jno. Rogers 


Wm. Foreman 
Jug 


Wolf Murphy 


Knob 


Catcher 


Conazeen 


Lame Dave 


Beaver Toter 


Dragging Canal 


Snow Bird 


Sitting Down 


Shadow 


Waxie 


Eagle 


T. Foreman 


Crowing Chicken 


Old Rabbit 


Sofskie 


Thos. Bigboy 


Turnabout 


Bony 


Overtaker 


Dog 


Bullfrog 


Shot-bag 


Cloud 


Crowniocker 


Bridgemaker 


Chulihaw 


Turnover 


N. Sanders 


Shoe 


Swinged 


Sent-for 


Going Snake 


Tail Up 


Swimmer 


Duck 


Mink Watts 


Rock 


David England 


Snakie 


Quart Whisky 


Thick String 


Headout 


Big Head 


Tesatesky 


War 


Lizard 


Fodder 


Young Duck 


Bellows 


Grog 


Cup 


Man-spoiler 
Sleeping Deer 


M. Waters 
Squiri'el 


District of Challoogee. 


Mouse 


Horsefly 


Chas. H. Vann 


Jim Bear Skm 


In-the-water 


Crying Wolf 


Stephen Harris 


Raincrow 


P'our Killer 


Tobacco 


Parch Corn 


Milk 


Pheasant 


Path-killer 


Uma-tois-ka 


Robin Baggs 


Spade 


Housekeeper 


Pigeon Roost 


Snuga 


Outrunner 


Beat-about 


Oos-ca-wattie 


Jas. Chambers 


Didapper 


Jos. Foreman 


Arch Campbell 


Guess 


Bark 


S. Candy, Sr. 


Eating-up 


Log 


Chinubby 


Jas. Ross 


G. Baldridge 


Four-killer 


Scraper 


Cheater 


Fishtrap 


Geo. Sanders 


Capt. Watts 


Geo. Hicks 


Twister 


Laughatmush 


Geo. Fields 


Poor Bear 


Folly 


Torchtoter 


Sign 


Muskrat 


Manstanding 


Garfish 


Rib 


Waterbird 


Standing Inside 


Kooiskooi 


Dew 


Caesar 


Hitinhead 


Chickasaw 


Dew-in-water 


Toad 


Leaking 


Jumper 


Thief 


Hurricane 


Razor 


Geo. Campbell 


Wolf 


Crazy 


Tallow 


Runabout 


Young Pup 


Sapsucker 


Jno. Rogers 


Ground Hog 


Woman Killer 


Black Fox 


Big Feather 


Arch Simpson 


Rambling 


Clamacre 


Money Crier 


Chas. Justice 


Running Wolf 


Hawk 


Robin Brown 


Bat 


Shadow 


Treader 


Threadtoter 


Turtle Fields 


Turnover 


July 


Richard Guess 


Dirtseller 


Elijah 


Pigeon 


Going-to. sleep 


Raven 


Mouse 


Goose 


Jaybird 


D. Raincrow 


Deer-in-water 


Soldier 


Elijah Moore 


Bread Butter 


Smoke 


Chips 


Chewaga 


Owl 


Going-away 


Shell 


Geo. Chambers 


Hair Tied 


Flint 


Jay Hicks 


Bear Toat 


Beans Pouch 


Sparrow Hawk 


Jack Bushyhead 


Stay-all-night 


Thos. Watts 


Bigmusle 


Robbin 


Screech-owl 


District ( 


of Aquohee. 


Stephen Foreman 
Wm. Grimit 


Six-Killer 
Wind 


Sweet Water 


Geo. Blair 


Writer 


Something 


Jesse Grass 


Horse-fly 


Natburntup 


Mushroom 


Young Turkey 


Throw It Down 


Wagon 


Sequata 


Spike Buck 


Otterlifter 


Eataha 


Mose Lee 


Ned Christy 


Chunoaka 


Tramping 


Beavertail 


Lookout 


Jno. Christy 


Musk-melon 


B. B. Wisner 


Nicoochi 


Stooping About 


Cornsilk 


Lifter 


Bear-Sitting-Down 


Crawler 


Cabbage 


Bullbat 


Going-back 


Rising Tower 


Spring Frog 


Pat 


Lightning Bug 


Ridge 


Trunk 


Fox Frying 


Daylight 


Bear Meat 


James Gunter 


Pay-up 


Bear Drowned 


Young Chicken 


Catchem 


Jas. Lusley 


E. Buffington 


Mashabout 


Thief 


Saml. Gunter 



Encyclopedic Section 



391 



Dew 

Beat-about 
J, Spencer 
Jno. Blackbird 



A. Lowry 
Bald Head 
Bread 

Swallow 



Big Dollar 
Dick Benge 



Walegoolie 
Five Killer 



Rich. Taylor, Ja. 



Partridge 



District of 
Thos. Taylor 
Jno. Vann 
Young Glass 
Pathkiller 
Samuel Buck 
Tarapin Head 
T. Rallinggourd 
Thos. Manning 
Smoke 

James Lowry 
Johnson Murphy 
Doublehead 
Withcalooski 
Whirlwind 
Hawk 
Chinabi 
Manstriker 
Gander 
Shade 
Chuiska 
Scrapeskin 
Goodmoney 
Mole 

Red Bird 
Peter 

Sitting Bear 
Saquah 

Standing Crane 
Big Kittle 
Jas. Taylor 
Sleeping Rabbit 
Robt. Benge 
Speaker 
Dick Foreman 
Tanchichi 
Jas. Taylor 
Tracker 

Hunter Langley 
Black Fox 
Drowning Bear 
Olisitunki 
Corntassle 
Arch Lowry 
Rock 

Sparrowhawk 
Rustybelly 
Littlemeat 
Osulanah 
Alanitah 
Letusstop 
Horns 
Lion 

Blue Bird 
Sooksarah 
Messenger 
Chichi 
Pelican 
Nath. Hicks 
Dick Taylor 
Levi Timberlake 



Chichamuugee. 
Tom Fox 
Jas. Sanders 
Otter 
Runabout 
Landseller 
Leaf 
Stump 

Crying Wolf 
Spirit 

Chinaquayah 
Wash Lowry 
Chilhowie 
Going Snake 
Noonday 
Tyger 
Peacock 
Buzzard 
Otterlifter 
J. Ratlinggourd 
Three Killer 
Lewis Bark 
Little Barrow 
Turkeytoter 
Jas. Brown 
Jno. Baldridge 
Moses Campbell 
Ned Bark 
Singer 

Cold weather 
Cloud 
Swan 

Sitting Bear 
Robin 

Ta-chan-sie 
Canadawaski 
W>tt 
Osage 

Chas. Manning 
Chuit 
Ashhopper 
Fodder 
Grog 
Owl 
Key 

Scaffold 
Water Lizard 
W. Griffin 
Dreadfulwater 
Big Nose 
Wallace Vann 
Eight Killer 
N. McDaniel 
Stud Horse 
C. Mcintosh 
Peach 
Zallowska 
Spring Frog 
Jno. Benge 
Sukatowie 
Bushyhead 



District of 
Avery Vann 
Collin McDaniel 
Terrapin Striker 
Daylight 
John Wayne 
Mortar 
Baesling 
Ga-Ta-la-na 
Tailor 

Chu-no-lus-ka 
Fool 

Housekeeper 
Turkey 

Tom Gillespie 
Walter Ridge 
Isaac 

John Ridge 
Matthew Moore 
Harry Scott 
Bear Meat 
Edward Adair 



Coosewattee. 
Money Sealer 
Hang Foot 
Wm. Lowry 
Chow-send 
Doing-so 
Ta-es-kee 
Stand Watie 
Jim-Six-Killer 
Huckleberry 
Carnton Hicks 
Standing 
John Watie 
Wat Liver 
Two Heads 
By-him-self 
Ground Hog 
In-the-field 
Oo-tata-ti 
Six-Killer 
Turn Over 
Major Ridge 



District of Etowah (Hightoiver) . 



Leach 

Take After 

You-as-so-walta 

Armup 

Ice 



Goy-a-chesa 

Crawfish 

Shutter 

Moses 

Boiled-down 




GEO. M. BATTEY, JR., associate editor of 
Tlie Rome News and author of "A History 
of Rome & Floyd County." 



392 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



Peach Shooter 

Cow-e-chur-kah 

Pumpkinpie 

Pound-it-over 

Handshaker 

Let-it-fall 

Ground Hog 

John Wayne 

John Eliot 

Flax Bird 

Walte Gutte 

Seed 

Talassee 

Chippie 

Grapes 

Big Tongue 

Buffalo-fish 

Pouch Laugher 

Epaw-wessus 

Melter 

Catch-him 

Standing Wolf 

Red Bird 

Water Hunter 

Push-off 

Jack West 

Frozen Foot 

Eagle Setting 

Swinger 

Viper 

Thos. Petit 



Lets-hunt-em 

Bundle 

Little Deer 

White Path 

Bran 

Humming Bird 

Seen-them 

Walking Stick 

Bird Hunter 

Shell 

Big Burn 

Catcher 

Nelson West 

Fog 

Chu-no-ha-ha 

Bone-carrier 

Smallwood 

Guts 

Gusty 

Little Terrapin 

Woman Killer 

Knitts 

Kick-up 

Wah-hatchie 

Bushy 

Pipe 

Stee-kee 

Corn Silk 

Hairy-Breast 

Rib 

Dirt-Thrower 



Samuel Mayo 
District of Hickory Log. 



Buffalo Pouch 

Goodman 

C. S. Adair 

Takingout 

Teacher 

Take-out-beans 

Blanket 

Eye 

Chin 

B. F. Adair 

Walkingstick 

Dirtpot 

Sparrow Hawk 

G. M. Walters 

Crying Bear 

Swimmer 

Humming Bird 

Mixture 

Flying Fish 

John Proctor 

Spaniard 

Spy 

Fallingpot 
Climbing 
Jim Proctor 
Walter Daniel 
Goodgals 
Rattling Gourd 
Big Boy 
Pushim 

Mose Drowning 
Jas. 



Blackhorse 

Cotton 

Jack Winn 

Tobacco Purse 

Wm. Rogers 

Sampson 

Bird Cutter 

Tassle 

Raining 

Falling 

Dirty-belly 

N of ire 

Hawk 

Guess 

Capsou 

Prince 

Takeitout 

Santaga 

Geo. Still 

Eel 

Drawer 

Bean 

Luck 

E. Towns 

Naked 

Stop 

Beginning 

Mink 

Doghead 

Pincheater 

Trash Gatherer 

Daniel 



District 

Bunchlegs 

Hogfish 

Mistake 

Flaxbird 

Raincrow 

Hogshooter 

Biter 

Ear 

Little Bone 



of Tahqnohee. 
Whip 
Spirit 
Cat 
Getup 

John Rogers 
Kinkyhead 
Knockmi 
Buzzard 
Rising Fawn 



Miscellaneous. 

D. J. Hook, Turkey Town; J. Saun- 
ders, Talloney; A. Ratley, Teu River; 
Jno. Adair, Oothcalouga; Jos. Rogers, 
Sawana; Ezekiel Fields, Teu River; 
A. Adair, Oothcalouga; R. Rogers, Sa- 
wana; Jas. Vann, Talloha; Johnson 
Thompson, Pine Log; B. F. Thompson, 
Sala Coa; J. F. Adair, Two Run; 
Wastuwaha, Old Town; Jas. McNair, 
Connasauga ; D. Foreman, Candy 
Ci'eek; Stephen Ray, Candy Creek; 
J. Rogers, Chattahoochee; Jack Sour- 
mush, Two Run; J. L. McKay, Will's 
Valley; Elijah Hicks, New Echota; 
Black Fox, Oothcalouga; Henderson 
Harris, Forks of Coosa; D. McCoy, 
Red Clay; Willy Bigby, Candy's Creek; 
J. A.Thompson, Pine Log; Bird Har- 
ris, Sawana; Jno. Fields, Sr., Turnip 
Mountain ; John Williams, Rock 
Creek; Geo. Candy, Mouse Creek; G. 
W. Adair, Sala Coa; J. C. Towers, 
Oothcalouga; Jas. Vann, Connasauga; 
Jno. Blythe, Long Savannah; C. Mc- 
Nair, Connasauga; Yese-taes-a, Tur- 
nip Mountain. 



INDIAN TRAILS, ROADS AND 
STAGES.— Most of the Indian trails 
of Cherokee Georgia have been oblit- 
erated or swallowed up in the improved 
roadways of today. In the early part 
of the nineteenth century the so-called 
Federal Road was built from Tennes- 
see through sections of Georgia. This 
is mentioned as part of the route of 
Gen. Sherman's army on its march 
from Resaca to Bartow County in 1864, 
and now and then there are other ref- 
erences to it, notably by the Indians. 
Quite possibly it passed near Dalton 
and generally followed the route of the 
Western and Atlantic Railroad. 

Mrs. J. L. Walker, of Waycross, 
contributes the following on certain 
old trails and roads: 

"There is rich romance linking Geor- 
gia's old roads and trails with the dim 
past, for many of them ran by the cu- 
riously-gabled villages that dotted the 
countryside, and the huts of priests and 
the wigwams of the Indians were seen 
along the way. 



Encyclopedic Section 



393 



"The possessions of most of the early 
settlei"S consisted of a few acres of 
cleared ground, a log: hut and a wife 
and children. The lives of the pioneers 
were filled with thrilling experiences, 
and the wives were quite as brave. The 
existence of the women was anythmg 
but peaceful, for while the men worked 
in the fields they guarded every inch of 
the ground close around the home. 
Tragedies were common ; the trusty 
rifles were often taken down from 
above the door to bag a wild cat, an 
Indian or a bear. When the men went 
to town, the women and children usual- 
ly had tx) go too because of fear of wild 
beasts and Indians, and together they 
traveled the old trails. 

"In the lives of stage coach trav- 
elers, stopping places were quite im- 
portant. Taverns and post houses were 
a necessity, because horses had to be 
changed and travelers rested and fed. 

"The Blue Pond road in Floyd Coun- 
ty followed the Coosa River into Ala- 
bama and on to Sand Mountain. This 
was named after Blue Pond, in Ala- 
bama, and probably corresponds to the 
Alabama road of today. Earlier it was 
known as the Creek path, after the 
Creek Indians of Alabama and Geor- 
gia. 

"Oostanaula or Hightower Path ran 
eastward from Alabama along the 
northern boundary line between the 
Creeks and the Cherokees, as fixed by 
Gen. Coffee in 1830. It crossed Shallow 
Ford on a tributary of the Etowah in 
the upper northwest corner of Cobb 
County, near Acworth ; passed through 
Marietta, the northern ends of Fulton 
and DeKalb Counties ; through Dun- 
woody, Norcross, Cross Keys and into 
Gwinnett County and Bay Creek in 
Walton; through Logansville and 
crossed into Oconee County via High 
Shoals; through Watkinsville; and 
thence over the Oconee River into 
Clarke County and Athens. 

"Etowah Path led from the village 
of Two Runs, in the southern part of 
Gordon County, to Suwanee Old Town 
in Lumpkin County. 

"The chief north-south stage route 
wfs from Milledgeville, then the capi- 
tal of Georgia, to Nickajack, Tenn., 
near the Ga.-Ala.-Tenn. "corner," 
and a branch connected with Rome. At 
Eatonton there was another branch 
to Athens, via Madison. If the traveler 
wished to go by Athens on the way 
from Milledgeville to Nickajack lie 
must travel 255 miles, striking Vann's 
F'erry (on the Chattahoochee River in 
Hall County), Blackburn's (on Etowah 



River), Etowah and Coosawattee 
Town. Weekly stages were run from 
Milledgeville to Athens and reverse, 
and the fare was $6.25." 

Sherwood's Gazetteer (1829) tabu- 
lates the Milledgeville-Nickajack route 
as follows: 

Miles. 

Milledgeville to Eatonton 211/2 

Eatonton to Madison 22 

Madison to Athens 271/2 

Athens to Vann's Ferry 47 

Vann's Ferry to Blackburn's 

Ferry 20 

Blackburn's to Harnage Ford 

on Long Swamp Creek 15 

Harnage's to Coosawattee Town 28 
Coosawattee Town to Mrs. 

Scott's 34 

Mrs. Scott's to Daniel Ross' 18 

Daniel Ross' to Willson's at Nick- 
ajack 22 

Total 255 

The stage started from Milledge- 
ville on Tuesdays for Athens and re- 
turned on Saturdays. A few miles 
might be saved on the way to Nicka- 
jack by leaving Athens on the right 
and passing through Clarkesborough, 
Jackson County. The Gazetteer states 




WM. SINCLAIR ROWELL, referee in bank- 
ruptcy, editor of The Tribune-Herald and 
Kiwanis Club member. 



394 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 




FEDERAL AGENTS AND A "MOONSHINE" STILL, 1921. 



that Vann's Ferry, 11 miles west of 
Gainesville, Hall County, was on the 
Federal road. 

An old Rome newspaper stated that 

Mr. and Mrs. J. M. M. Caldwell put 

up at the McEntee House, Broad 

street, Rome, in February, 1845, hav- 

ing arrived by the Covington stage. 
* * * 

INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF 
GOOD TEMPLARS.— Shortly after 
the Civil War a number of lodges of 
this organization, founded by James 
G. Thrower, of Atlanta, were estab- 
lished at Rome, and included many of 
the Hill City's leading men who were 
opposed to liquor. Among the local 
units were Sacred Promise Lodge No. 
125, headed by C. G. Samuel; Forrest- 
ville Lodge No. 106, and Mothers' Hope 
Temple No. 14. Among the leaders 
were Judge Waller T. Turnbull, Rev. 
L. R. Gwaltney, Major Z. B. Hargrove, 
Judge J. W. H. Underwood, Judge Joel 
Branham, Dunlap Scott, Col. Thos. W. 
Alexander and Chas. H. Smith ("Bill 
Arp"). The Cold Water Temple w 
composed of young men, with W. R. 
Fenner as secretary. "Water only!" 
was its motto. The Grand Lodge of 
Georgia convention was held at Rome 
Oct. 9, 1872, and more than 200 lodges 
were represented. 

_ On June 6, 1860, a local organiza- 
tion known as the Sons of Temperance 
held a meeting at Rome. Chas. H. 
Smith was president, and the other of- 
ficers were J. H. McClung, G. B. T. 
Moore, R. Ferdinand Hutchings, R. W. 
Echols, W. Aj. Barron and T. W. 
Swank. 

In spite of the refusal of this noble 
handful to drink, Rome's barrooms con- 



tinued to multiply, until in 1900 there 
were thirteen on Broad Sti'eet, or an 
average of one for each block. Soon 
thereafter for a few years, due to the 
efforts of Seaborn Wright and others, 
the barrooms were voted out and a 
dispensary put in. "Package goods" 
were passed out from the east side of 
Broad Street midway between Third 
and Fourth Avenues. 

The following additional general in- 
formation is furnished by one of the 
prohibitionists: 

The prohibition bill was passed by 
the Georgia Senate July 14, 1907, by a 
vote of 34 to 7; in the House it pass 
July 31 by a vote of 139 to 39. Gov- 
Hoke Smith signed the bill on the 31st, 
declaring "This is the happiest day of 
my life!" 

* * ■* 

LAKES AND PONDS. — While 
thei'e are no lakes of size in Floyd 
County, there are a number of bodies 
of water that furnish sport in sum- 
mer for boaters, bathers and fisher- 
men, among which may be mentioned: 

DeSoto (Mobley Park) lake, which 
is to be enlarged for the boys of the 
Darlington school. 

Updegrove lake, Armuchee Creek, 
near the Dalton road. 

Wright & Powers' lake, Calhoun 
road, one mile north of the city limits 
of North Rome. 

Young's mill pond, Kingston road, 
eight miles northeast of Rome. 

Hackney's pond, half a mile north of 
Big Dry Creek, on the Summerville 
Road. 

"Woodstock" lake, two miles south- 



Encyclopedic Section 



395 




t 



TE^fiC 



3 



GEORGIA'S FIRST GOVERNOR AND A "POET LAUREATE." 

At left, James Edward Oglethorpe, leader who established the colony, and Sidney 
Lanier, whose verse won him world-wide fame. 



west of Cave Spring', on a place once 
owned by the parents of Col. Francis 
S. Bartow. 

"Talalah" lake, between "Wood- 
stock" and Cave Spring, the property 
of Robt. Swain Perry, of Philadelphia. 

Rotary lake, Horseleg Creek, Shor- 
ter College, the dam of which was do- 
nated by the Rotary Club of Rome. 

Berry School lake, on the Berry cam- 
pus. 

The Mountain Farm School lake, 
also on the Berry grounds at the foot 
of Lavender Mountain. 

Sullivan pond, on the John M. Gra- 
ham place, "Hillcrest," East Rome, 
near Silver Creek. 

Crystal Springs Mill pond, Armu- 
chee Creek. 

The Tarvin pond, at Carlier Springs, 
two miles east of Rome. 

Jas. P. Jones' lake, below Black's 
Bluff. 

There is a natural fish pond three 
miles north of the court house on the 
Kingston road, owned by Mitchell Mo- 
ran (col.), 65 years of age and a 
great-grandfather, and a resident of 
Floyd County for 37 years. The pond 
is fringed with trees and is an acre 
and a half large. It is fed by two 
springs at the north end; there is no 
visible outlet, and it is supposed the 
water goes underground to the Etowah 
River. The pond is stocked with small 
fish — mainly bass — and Mitchell 
charges folks a quarter to catch all 
they can. 



W. A. Smith has a pond at 1920 N. 
Broad Street. 

A number of others might be men- 
tioned which are not much more than 
puddles. A few which are well re- 
membered to skaters in winter and 
fishermen in summer have dried up, 
notably a large pond in East Rome 
near Silver Creek, between the Anchor 
Duck Mill and the Etowah River, and 
a pond in North Rome drained in 1864 
by the Northern army. 

Dr. Jno. F. Lawrence is planning a 
pond at "Glen Alto," his country de- 
velopment at Radio Springs, Coosa 
River road, and several others expect 
to dam up their streams so as to make 
places for year-round pleasure on an 
adequate scale. 



LANIER CIRCLE.— This literary 
and musical organization, like the 
Round Table Club of before the Civil 
War, was established on old Shorter 
College Hill. A newspaper clipping 
from The Rome Tribune of May 1, 
1895, gives the officers as follows: Dr. 
A. J. Battle, president of Shorter Col- 
lege, president; Miss Mabel Hillyer, 
vice-president; Miss Martha Berry, 
tieasurer, and Mrs. Christopher Row- 
ell, secretary. 

The Circle was named after Sidney 
Lanier, poetical song bird of the South, 
and Montgomery M. Folsom, the Rome 
poet, wrote a clever poem to Lanier 
and presented it to the club. Since 
Lanier had once said he considered 
music and warm fire, next to wife. 



396 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



childi-en, a house and friends, essen- 
tial to home life, music was introduced 
under the drection of Mrs. W. S. Mc- 
Henry, and the rest of each evening's 
program was devoted to literary pa- 
pers and discussions. Mrs. Jno. H. 
Reynolds and other leading Rome wom- 
en used to belong to the Circle, and 
many pleasant and profitable sessions 
were held, until interest that had been 
devoted to it gradually diffused and 
flowed — alas ! — into various enterprises 
less devoted to aestheticism. 
* * * 

LeHARDY springs.— Some con- 
fusion arises between this term and 
the term "Carlier Springs." The place 
three miles east of Rome commonly 
known as "Carlier Springs," was own- 
ed by Gen. L. J. B. LeHardy and his 
son Camille LeHardy, but Louis Henry 
Carlier kept it during the Civil War. 
J. Paul Cooper offers the following 
explanation : 

"Eugene LeHardy bought the planta- 
tion afterward owned by Dr. G. W. 
Holmes, consisting of three land lots, 
on part of which I now live. The spring 
itself was on another land lot, original- 
ly belonging^ to the plantation which 
the East Rome Town Company bought 
and developed. Before that purchase, 




EUGENE LeHARDY de BEAULIEU, of 
Rome's Belgian colony, who went to Europe 
to buy supplies for the Confederate Army. 



however, the owner of that plantation 
had exchanged a corner lot, amounting 
to five acres, containing the spring, 
giving it to LeHardy in return for 
about the same area lying in one of 
LeHardy's lots up toward Tubbs' 
Mountain. There is the small spring 
now owned by Dick Cothran. All this 
appears from the county records. 

"Colonel LeHardy had at that time, 
so far as I know, only a log cabin, built 
on the hill almost exactly where my 
house is located, and not where Martin 
Grahame afterward built. There was 
a tenant house between LeHardy's set- 
tlement and the spring, in my boy- 
hood days, though whether it existed 
there in LeHardy's time I do not know. 
It was occupied by Pete Cato, and near 
that spot Martin Grahame built his 
house. The old cabin had burned and 
the place gi-own up in young timber 
before I bought the land on which I 
live. The scars of the burning, how- 
ever, were on the trees which stood 
near my first residence, one of them 
having closed over and been occupied 
by a swarm of wild bees. I found near 
the place where the old cabin stood a 
sweet briar rose, evidently planted 
there by LeHardy. A small root of it 
is still growing on the place." 

Dr. Henry LeHardy, of Chattanoo- 
ga, writes: 

"As well as I remember, my father. 
Gen. L. J. B. LeHardy, owned two lots 
of land, on the Spring Creek road, 
about three miles east of Rome. The 
spring was a large one, 'lowing be- 
tween some big rocks, ana was sit- 
uated in a fine grove of tiees — oaks, 
hickories, sweet gums and cedars. Eu- 
gene LeHardy owned a farm some- 
where between Rome and my father's 
plantation. I never saw his farm and 
could not say what kind of a spring 
was there. My father's spring was 
known to us as LeHardy's and is the 
one that is often called the 'Carlier 
Spring.'" (See Carlier Springs). 
* * * 

LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS.— Col. 
loquial terms have been applied to a 
number of sections of Floyd County. 
Before the war there were regularly 
organized voting districts known as 
Wolf Skin and Dirt Town, which later 
bore more dignified titles. 

Booger Hollow is about two miles 
south of Lindale. 

Lick Skillet is a part of South Rome. 

Pop Skull is on the Alabama road, 
west of Oak Park and Fairbanks. 

Possum Trot is between the Berry 
School buildings and the foot of Lav- 



Encyclopedic Section 



397 



ender Mountain, on the Berry farm. 

Tim-buck-too is on the Calhoun road 
adjoining the city limits in North 
Rome. 

Blue Gizzard and Beef Tongue are 
neighborhoods in Texas Valley. 

Chubbtown is a settlement of pros- 
perous and respectable negroes four 
miles southeast of Cave Spring, at the 
Polk County line. 

Hell's Hollow (now sometimes called 
Reservoir Hollow) is a colored section 
200 yards north of Ninth Avenue, 
three blocks above the old Seventh Ave- 
nue cemetery. 

Beaver Slide is on the north bank of 
the Oostanaula River in the Fourth 
Ward, above the Fifth Avenue bridge; 
bounded on the west by Avenue A. 

Goat Hill got its name from a herd 
of goats and is situated in East Rome, 
near Carlier Springs. 

Blossom Hill is one of the principal 
colored residence sections of Rome. It 
is an eminence that affords a fine view 
of the surrounding country, and is in 
the path of real estate development to 
the north. It is several blocks north 
of Eighth Avenue. 

MAYORS OF ROME. 

Explanatory Note. — Rome was in- 
corporated Dec. 21, 1847, by act of the 
Georgia Legislature at Milledgeville, 
and it is certain that the city govern- 
ment was not set up much before 1849. 
Prior to this time — from and after 
1835, when the town was established — 
the "intendant" (superintendent) and 
the town marshal held undisputed 
sway. There is some question as to 
who certain of the mayors were before 
the Civil War, since various records 
were destroyed by fire and the names 
were never replaced. However, the fol- 
lowing roster, perfected by various 
"old settlers," is believed to be the 
nearest approach to a complete list in 
existence. According to Virgil A. 
Stewart, one of Rome's oldest citizens, 
the first mayor was Dr. J. D. Dicker- 
son, a druggist, who came from New 
Orleans, La., and who returned there 
later. Others have made the same 
statement, and their version is accept- 
ed in preference to that of an individ- 
ual who claims the distinction for Wm. 
Cook Gautier Johnstone (better known 
as Wm. Johnstone), a merchant and 
banker. Henry A. Gartrell was mayor 
in 1860. He ran against Geo. P. Bur- 
nett in 1859 and it is believed was 
elected. At 33 years of age Thos. W. 
Lipscomb became Rome's youngest 



mayor, in 1908. Ben C. Yancey was 
second youngest at 35 in 1912, and he 
is said to have been the only native- 
born mayor Rome has ever had. Sam 
and Jack King, however, were natives 
of Floyd County. The commission 
form of government was instituted in 
1915 and the late W. M. Gammon be- 
came the first head of the City Com- 
mission. During part of 1863 Capt. 
Jacob H. Hoss served as military "gov- 
ernor" for the Confederacy. 

Dr. J. D. Dickerson, 1849-50; Jas. P. 
Perkins, 1851; Nathan Yarbrough, 
1852; 1853 (?); Wm. C. G. Johnstone, 
1854(7); 1855(?); 1856(?); Robt. D. 
Harvey, 1857; J. M. Sumter, 1858 (?); 
Henry A. Gartrell, 1859 (?) ; Henry A. 
Gartrell, 1860; Dr. Thos. Jefferson 
Word, 1861-2; Dr. Jno. M. Gregory 
and Capt. Jacob H. Hoss, C. S. A., 
1863; Geo. P. Burnett, 1864; Jas. No- 
ble, Jr., 1865; Daniel S. Printup, 1866; 
Chas. H. Smith, 1867-8; Zachariah B. 
Hargrove, 1869; Henry A. Smith, 
1870-1; Hugh Dickson Cothran, Sr., 
1872; W. F. Ayer, 1873-4; Judge Jas. 
M. Spullock, 1875; Thos. W. Alexan- 
der, 1876-7; Mitchell A. Nevin, 1878- 
79-80; Samuel Morgan, 1881; Jas. G. 
Dailey, 1882; Daniel S. Printup, 1883; 
Jack King, 1884-5; Samuel M. Knox, 
1886-7; W. F. Ayer, 1888-89; Almeron 
W. Walton, 1890-1; Samuel S. King, 
1892-3; Jno. D. Moore, 1894-5; Samuel 
S, King, 1896-7; Jno. J. Seay, 1898-9; 
Thompson Hiles, 1900-1; J. Dave 
Hanks, 1902-3; Chas. H. Lavender, 
1904-5; Judge Jno. W. Maddox, 1906- 
7; Thos. W. Lipscomb, 1908-10; J. W. 
Hancock, 1911-12; Benj. C. Yancey, 
1912-13; J. Dave Hanks, 1914. 

The "First Commissoners." — W. 
M. Gammon, 1915; Chas. S. Pru- 
den, 1916; D. W. Simmons, 1917-18. 

Chairmen of Commissions — Jno. M. 
Vandiver, 1919; Isaac May, 1920; Er- 
nest E. Lindsey, 1921-2 (incumbent). 
* * * 

Mayors and Councihnen, 1866-1894. 
(From Tribune clipping of 1894.) — 
The first mayor after the war was 
James Noble, Jr., who served in that 
capacity in 1865. 

In 1866, Daniel S. Printup was 
mayor, and the following were his 
councilmen: Jesse Lamberth, T. J. 
Perry, Samuel Gibbons, J. H. Cooper, 
Sam Noble and John M, Quinn; H. A. 
Smith was clerk. 

In 1867-68, Chas. H. Smith (Bill 
Arp) was mayor and Messrs. Lam- 
berth, Perry, Jas. Noble, Sr., D. M. 
Hood, J. W. Hooper, Jr., and J. C. 
Pemberton were councilmen. 



398 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



Major Z. B. Hargrove was mayor in 
1869. In that year T. J. Perry, C. H. 
Smith, J. C. Rawlins, Jas. Noble, J. 
M. Gregory and J. J. Cohen were the 
councilmen. 

Henry A. Smith was mayor in 1870- 
1871, and Hugh Dickson Cothran, Sr., 
in 1872. 

In 1873, Major W. F. Ayer was 
mayor and G. W. Holmes, T. McGuire 
R. V. Mitchell, W. L. Whitely and A. 
T. Hardin were councilmen; Henry 
Norton was clerk. 

Major Ayer was also mayor in 1874 
and had with him the following coun- 
cilmen: T. McGuire, R. V. Mitchell, 
C. H. Smith, C. G. Samuel, J. E. Veal 
and R. J. Gwaltney; J. F. Shanklin 
was clerk. 

J. M. Spullock was mayor in 1875. 
Jesse Lamberth, J. G. Dailey, W. M. 
Shropshire, Geo. Bowen, J. 'l. Camp 
and Wm. West were councilmen. J. 
W. Meakin was elected councilman 
during this year to fill an unexpired 
term. 

In 1876 the council was composed of 
T. W. Alexander, mayor; R. S. Norton, 
J. G. Dailey, W^ii. West, J. C. Raw- 
lins, J. W. Bones and J. W. Meakin. 
J. F. Shanklin was clerk. This was 
the council that issued the bonds which 
are soon to be redeemed. 

In 1877, T. W. Alexander remained 
as mayor, with the same council excent 
that Messrs. Frank Woodruff and W. 
F. Ayer succeeded Messrs. Dailey and 
Meakin. 

City Clerk M. A. Nevin was elected 
mayor in 1878 with the following 
strong council: J. G. Dailey, C. T. 
Clements, Jas. Noble, Halstea'd Smith, 
John J. Seay and T. J. Williamson. 
W. W. Seay was the clerk. 

This council served until 1880, when 
Mayor Nevin was again re-elected with 
the following council: T. J. William- 
son, Jas. Noble, P. H. Hardin. E. H. 
West, Jack King and W. L. Whitely. 

In 1881 Major Sam Morgan was 
elected mayor and Messrs. Jas. Noble, 
E. H. West, T. J. Williamson, M. M. 
Pepper, W. M. Towers and J. W. Wil- 
liams were elected councilmen. This 
council elected Col. Nevin clerk, and he 
has served in that capacity down to the 
present day. 

J. G. Dailey was the mayor in 1882, 
and with Judge Dailey wei'e James 
Wyatt, R. A. Denny, R. T. Hargrove, 
Joe Printup, R. H. West and F. Wood- 
ruff as councilmen. 

Col. D. S. Printup was mayor in 
1883, and J. F. Shanklin, Jack King, 



R. A. Denny, R. T. Hargrove, Sam 
Knox and A. W. Walton were the 
councilmen. 

Jack King was mayor in 1884. Mr. 
King had as his council W. H. Ward- 
law, W. H. Adkins, M. C. Mathis, S. 
M. Knox, C. T. Clements and R. T. 
Hargrove. Mr. Hargrove resigned and 
W. T. McWilliams was elected to fill 
his unexpired term. 

In 1884 the charter was so changed 
that councilmen and mayors were to 
serve two years and could not succeed 
themselves. The following year Mayor 
King and Councilmen Adkins, Knox 
and McWilliams retained their posi- 
tions and Messrs. T. J. Williamson, W. 
M. Towers and H. S. Lansdell were 
elected to succeed Messrs. Wardlaw, 
Mathis and Clements. 

Sam. Knox was elected mayor in 
1886. J. C. Printup, S. S. King and 
J. T. Vandiver were elected council- 
men. Shortly before this election, the 
Fourth Ward was admitted into the 
city and at this time J. W. Mitchell 
and W. A. Wi'ight were elected to rep- 
resent her. 

The charter was again changed so 
councilmen were to be elected every 
year, one from each ward to serve 
two years, and in 1887 W. H. Adkins, 
A. W. Walton, W. T. Smith and J. I. 
Wright were elected to succeed Messrs. 
Williamson, Towers, Lansdell and 
Mitchell. 

The council of 1888 was composed 
of W. F. Ayer, mayor, and W. H. Ad- 
kins, W. W. Seay, A. W. Walton, H. S. 
Lansdell, W. T. Smith. Jack King, J. 
I. Wright and H. D. Hill. 

In 1889, Messrs. J. C. Printup, M. C. 
Mathis, John J. Seay and John D. 
Moore were elected to succeed Messrs. 
Adkins, Walton, Smith and Wright. 
This was Mayor-elect Moore's first 
service and his election was somewhat 
of a surprise, as he defeated J. W. 
Mitchell, who was at that time con- 
sidered one of the strongest men in the 
Fourth Ward. While serving in this 
council, Mr. Moore demonstrated his 
"backbone," if we may so express it, 
by standing single handed by the 
mayor in fining the violators of the 
prohibition law, where the entire coun- 
cil was against him. H. D. Hill had 
previous to this time resigned from 
the council and J. K. Williamson was 
elected to succeed him. 

The election of 1890 was very excit- 
ing, the candidates for mayor being 
Messrs. A. W. Walton and W.' W. Seay. 
The Fifth Ward had just been admit- 
ted and added enthusiasm to the race. 



Encyclopedic Section 



399 




AT SAM GRAHAM'S BARBECUE, 20 YEARS AGO. 

Among the "merrymakers" can be seen Oscar McWilliams, John Graham, Rob Rounsa- 
ville, Reuben Towers, Laurie Cothran, Mortimer Griffin, Ed. Maddox, Rob Yancey, Boiling 
Sullivan, Mel Gammon, Rob Graves, Walter Cothran, John C. Reese, Wm. A. Wright, Capt. 
Jno. J. Seay, Moses Wright, Dr. T. R. Garlington, Foster Graham, Wilson Hardy and 
Horace Johnson. 



Walton was elected with the entire 
ticket and the council this year stood: 

Mayor, A. W. Walton; councilmen, 
J. C. Printup, J. R. Cantrell, M. C. 
Mathis, S. M. Knox, John J. Seay, S. 
S. King, jQhn D. Moore, J. W. Mitchell. 
Messrs. M. M. Pepper and D. Turner 
were elected to represent the Fifth 
Ward. In 1891 C. W. Underwood, W. 
H. Steele, J. L. Camp, C. W. Morris 
and T. J. McCaffrey were the council- 
men elected. 

In 1893, Mayor King and his ticket 
were elected, defeating Mayor-elect 
Moore, but in 1894, it is Moore's in- 
ning. 

The councilmen since 1894 follow: 

1894— First Ward, A. B. McArver; 
Second, W. J. Neel; Third, H. G. Stof- 
fregen, Sr. ; Fourth, Walter Harris; 
Fifth, T. J. McCaffrey. 

1895— First Ward, Geo. F. Chidsey, 
Jr.; Second, Sam M. Lowry; Third, 
Joel Branham; Fourth, J. A. Glover; 
Fifth, Tom L. Cornelius. 

1896— First Ward, Dr. Lindsay 
Johnson; Second, Thompson Hiles; 
Third, J. A. Gammon; Fourth, Wm. 
J. Gordon; Fifth, J. D. Hanks. 

1897— First Ward, Frank J. Kane, 
Sr.; Second, W. T. Jones; Third, Rich- 
ard A. Denny; Fourth, Chas. W. Mor- 
ris; Fifth, J. Dallis Turner. 

1898— First Ward, A. B. McArver; 
Second, D. B. Hamilton, Jr.; Third, 
B. T. Haynes; Fourth, Walter Harris; 
Fifth, Tom J. Reese. 



1899— First Ward, C. E. McLin; 
Second, Albert G. Ewing, Jr.; Third, 
Hunter H. McClure; Fourth, Hiram 
D. Hill; Fifth, J. Robert Cantrell. 

1900— First Ward, Frank J. Kane; 
Second, Chas. S. Pruden and D. E. 
Lowry, Sr.; Third, Chas. B. Wilburn; 
P'ourth, Asbury Randle; Fifth, J. Dave 
Hanks. 

1901— First Ward, Wm. M. Towers, 
Sr. ; Second, Harper Hamilton; Third, 
Chas. H. Lavender; Fourth, Harry W. 
Williamson; Fifth, P. H. Vandiver. 

1902— First Ward, John M. Graham; 
Second, Chas. S. Pruden; Third, Jos. 
B. Owens; Fourth, Hugh McCrary; 
Fifth, J. G. Pollock. 

1903— First Ward, John C. Printup; 
Second, A. B. Arrington; Third, J. W. 
Hancock; Fourth, Chas. W. Morris; 
Fifth, Jas. B. King. 

1904— First Ward, Robt. W. Graves; 
Second, John M. Graham; Third, Har- 
ry C. Harrington; Fourth, Asbury 
Randle; Fifth, P. H. Vandiver. 

1905— First Ward, F. H. Moore; Sec- 
ond, A. B. Arrington; Third, J. W. 
Hancock; Fourth, Harry W. William- 
son; Fifth, J. G. Pollock. 

1906— First Ward, Frank J. Kane; 
Second, Jas. M. Lay; Third, Chas. H. 
Lavender, Fourth, Geo. A. H. Harris; 
Fifth, J. Dave Hanks. 

1907— First Ward, J. W. Russell; 
Second, Chas. B. Goetchius; Third, J. 
W. Hancock; Fourth, Harry W. Wil- 
liamson; Fifth, J. G. Pollock; Sixth, 



400 



A History of Rome and Floyd County. 



; Seventh, Peter D. Burks 

and W. M. Gammon. 

1908— First Ward, E. W. Best; Sec- 
ond, D. B. Hamilton, Jr.; Third, Isaac 
May; Fourth, Luke C. Mitchell, Jr.; 
Fifth, P. H. Vandiver; Sixth, Frank 
W. Copeland; Seventh, Thos. L. Lloyd. 

1909— First Ward, Wm. DeLay; Sec- 
ond, Wm. P. Harbin; Third, Frank 
M. Irwin; Fourth, Walter Harris; 
Fifth, Gary J. King; Sixth, Frank W. 
Gopeland; Seventh, Frank B. Freeman. 

1910— First Ward, Sam J. Powers; 
Second, Richard M. Johnston; Third, 
Isaac May; Fourth, J. K. Williamson. 

1911— First Ward, T. Berry Broach; 
Second, Luke G. McDonald; Third, 
Frank M. Irwin; Fourth, Dan O. By- 
ars; Fifth, P. H. Vandiver; Sixth, 
Frank W. Copeland; Seventh, Wm. L. 
Daniel. 

1912 — Aldermen: Frank S. Barron, 
E. W. Best and Rufus W. McClain. 

1913— First Ward, T. Berry Broach; 
Second, Philip J. Mullen; Third, L. F. 
McKoy; Fourth, J. W. Keown; Fifth, 
P. H. Vandiver; Sixth, Frank W. 
Copeland; Seventh, Wm. L. Daniel. 

1914 — Aldermen: Cornelius Terhune, 
Chas. T. Jervis and CO. Walden. 

1915 — Commission government insti- 
tuted. W. M. Gammon, first commis- 
sioner; Ernest E. Lindsey, second com- 
missioner; A. B. Arrington, Frank B. 
Holbrook, J.- P. Jones, commissioners. 

1916 — Chas. S. Pruden, chairman; 
1917-18, D. W. Simmons, chairman; 
1919, John M. Vandiver, Second 
Ward, chairman; L. F. McKoy, First 
Ward; Isaac May, Third Ward; C. F. 
Gaines, Fourth Ward; R. Earl Young, 
Fifth Ward; W. C. Atkinson, Sixth 
Ward; H. B. Cruise, Seventh Ward, 
commissioners; 1920, Isaac May, chair- 
man; L. F. McKoy, First Ward; Har- 
per Hamilton, Second Ward; Hugh 
Burnes, Fourth Ward; Ben Gann, 
Fifth Ward; W. C. Atkinson, Sixth 
Ward; Henry B. Cruise, Seventh Ward, 
commissioners. 1921-22, Ernest E. 
Lindsey, chairman; L. F. McKoy, First 
Ward; Isaac May, Third Ward; Hugh 
Burnes, Fourth Ward; Ben Gann, 
Fifth Ward; W. C. Atkinson, Sixth 
Ward; H. B. Cruise, Seventh Ward, 
commissioners. 

Soon after the death in 1922 of Com- 
missioner Burnes, W. H. Burnes, his 
father, was elected; and Geo. Berry 
Hawkins was elected to succeed Isaac 
May, resigned. 

* * * 

MILLER RIFLES.— The following 
sketch and roster were obtained 



through courtesy of Jno. W. Quarles, 
whose father, Frank W. Quarles, was 
an original member. This record was 
filed with the Floyd County ordinary 
in August, 1898, in compliance with a 
state law passed just prior to that 
time: 

The Miller Rifles left Rome about 
May 15, 1861. It was one of the ten 
companies forming the Eighth Georgia 
Volunteer regiment as organized in 
May at Richmond, Va. The company 
was named in honor of Dr. H. V. M. 
Miller, of Rome, one of the most dis- 
tinguished physicians in the south. 

Col. Francis S. Bartow was in com- 
mand and Lieut. Col. W. M. Gardner, 
of Rome; Maj. T. L. Cooper and Adj. 
J. L. Branch regimental officers. 

The regiment was ordered to Har- 
per's Ferry, Va., and joined the forces 
commanded by Gen. Joseph E. John- 
ston. It was one of the few regiments 
which bore the brunt of the fighting 
in the first battle of Manassas, July 
21, 1861, in which the loss in killed 
and wounded was fearful. 

The regiment served through the 
war in a brigade commanded first by 
Gen. Jones and later by Gen. George 
T. Anderson, better known as "Tige" 
Anderson. They formed a part of 
Longstreet's corps in the army of 
Northern Virginia, and participated in 
nearly every battle in which Gen. Lee's 
army was engaged, and surrendered 
with him and the army on April 9, 
1865, at Appomattox, Va. Of the six- 
teen officers when the company was 
organized, only three were living at 
the time the above record was filed: 
Col. John R. Towers, A. C. Morrison, 
first corporal, and F. L. Miller, mu- 
sician. 

The Miller Rifles was afterwards 
known as Company E, Eighth Georgia 
Regiment Volunteers. 

Original organization officers: 

Captain — John R. Towers, promoted 
to lieutenant colonel and then colonel. 

First Lieut.— Edward W. Hull (re- 
signed December, 1861). 

Second Lieut. — Dunlap Scott, pro- 
moted to first lieutenant and then cap- 
tain. 

Third Lieut. — A. R. Harper, pro- 
moted to major. First Georgia Cavalry, 
and then lieutenant colonel. 

First Sergt. — Oswell B. Eve, died of 
wounds received at First Battle of 
Manassas. 

Second Sergt. — J. M. Berry, dis- 
charged for wounds received at First 
Battle of Manassas. 



Encyclopedic Section 



401 



Third Sergt.— Curtis C. Campbell, 
died of disease, September, 1861. 

Fourth Sergt. — J. L. Skinner, by 
reason of substitution. 

First Corporal — Augustus C. Morri- 
son, now living. 

Second Corporal — Thos. J. Hills, 
died of wounds received at First Bat- 
tle of Manassas. 

Third Corporal — B. F. Price, died of 
disease in September, 1861. 

Fourth Corporal — Frank Lathrop, 
killed at First Battle of Manassas. 

Musician — J. H. Miller, died of dis- 
ease. 

Musician — F. L. Miller, living at 
time of filing this record. 

Surgeon — Dr. A. M. Boyd. 

Chaplain— Rev. V. A. Bell. 

Sec.-Treas. — Dr. J. F. Duane, killed 
at First Battle of Manassas. 

Privates — 
S. H. Adams 
W. J. Andrews 
Jas. W. Arp 
S. B. Asbury 
T. W. Asbury 
John Bailey 
Von A. Beil 
Edw. Bishop 
A. G. Bobo 
R. N. Bowden 
A. M. Boyd 
Wm. J. Cannon 
S. A. Chambers 
John H. Cooper 
W. T. Cornelius 
Jas. I. Davis 
John Davis 
E. R. Diamond 
W. B. Diamond 
E. Donnough 
E. M. Eason 
T. T. Eason 
W. T. Evans 
John C. Eve 
N. J. Fain 
L. L. Floyd 
W. L. Foster 
M. L. Funderburk 
H. T. Garrett 
Thos. J. Glenn 
E. P. Griffeth 
W. A. Hardin 
Chas. M. Harper 
D. C. Harper 
H. C. Harper 



R. J. F. Hill 
C. W. Hooper 
Gabriel Jones 
Wm. A. King 
W. H. May 
Joe McKenzie 
W. S. McNatt 
John Minton 
Jas. L. Mitchell 
Thos. Mobley 
J. M. Montgomery 
J. E. Moore 
Tyler Motes 
J. T. Oswalt 
Wm. Parks 
Geo. W. Payne 
R. D. Price 
J. L. Pyle 
F. W. Quarles 
F. M. Reynolds 
J. W. Roijertson 
John H. Silvey 
W. H. Skinner 
T. C. Sparks 
J. M. Taylor 
W. J. Taylor 
S. C. Trout 
Wm. P. Trout 
W. W. Ware 
A. J. Wilkins 
R. F. Wimpee 
S. B. Wimpee 
W. S. Wimpee 
M. M. Wright 
L. G. Yarbrough 



Recruits Received in 1861- 




WILLIAM JOSEPH ATTAWAY. Floyd County 
boy killed in the World War in France as a 
volunteer member of the U. S. Marines. 



B. P. Barker 
H. A. Brice 
R. P. Brice 
W. B. Dawson 
J. T. Ellis 



T. C. Estes 

E. P. Freeman 

Wm. M. Greer 

John Hill 

A. C. Huntington 



B. A. Johnston 
M. J. Johnston 
Wm. M. Mobley 
Alex Moore 
John Osley 
Hamp H. Penny 
J. M. Pledger 

Recruits Received in 1862 — 
Seaborn Bolt J. A. Estes 

E. W. Clyett J. A. Frix 

J. R. Eason W. W. Garrett 



Jordan Reece 
W. F. Rice 
J. M. Sparks 
W. M. Sparks 
Robert Wade 
B. F. Whitehead 
T. S. Williamson 



402 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



R. A. Graham J. E. Lee 

E. P. Hankins J. M. Martin 

J. A. Hardin B. F. May 

R. F. Harvey W. H. McCroskey 

W. H. Harvey F. F. Norton 

J. V. Henry Daniel Parks 

W. R. Henry James Perry 

David Hill A. J. Read 

J. M. Hill T. K. Reeves 

S. R. Jones B. F. Reynolds 

Wm. H. Jones Samuel Roberts 
Wm. Harris Jones Thos. J. Self 

M. S. Judkins D. R. Towers 

B. P. Lanham H. I. Ware 

S. J. Lanham L. W. White 

C. P. Whitehead 

The following sixteen laid down 
their arms at Appomattox: 

W. T. Cornelius W. H. McCroskey 

E. M. Eason Joe McKenzie 

J. T. Eason A. C. Morrison 

Thos. J. Glenn Geo. W. Payne 

Lt. C. M. Harper Hamph H. Penny 

H. C. Harper Col. J. R. Towers 

B. F. Johnson Wm. P. Trout 

M. S. Judkins A. J. Wilkins 

The record shows that of the 145 
men enlisted in the company from first 
to last, only 37 were livinpr at the time 
the record was filed. Fourteen were 
killed in battle, seven died of wounds 
and 29 died from disease during the 
war. Only sixteen were present at the 
surrender; 42 had died since the war. 
In tabulated form the record shows up 
as follows : 

Killed in battle 14 

Died of wounds 7 

Died of disease 29 

Surrendered at Appomattox 16 

Died since the war 42 

Surviving members 37 

Total number enlisted 145 

* * * 

MILLS. — Following is a partial list 
of grist mills in Floyd County, as fur- 
nished by R. V. Mitchell: 

Barrett's, at North Rome bridge, 
near Southern railway. 

Culpepper's, on John's creek, "The 
Pocket," northern end of the county. 

Rounsaville's, Chambers Station, 
east of Lindale. 

Shores', Summerville Road, Armu- 
chee Creek, on old Armuchee route. 

Dick Zuber's, Horton place, Floyd 
Springs road, Armuchee creek. 

Richardson's, Alabama road at junc- 
tion of the Central railway and Rome 
and Attalla branch of the Southern. 

John C. Foster's (formerly Thomas') 
Foster's Mill road, four miles north 



of Cave Spring, on Big Cedar Creek. 

Bryant's, Chulio Road at Smiley S. 
Johnson's place, six miles east of 
Rome, on Spring Creek. 

Tom C. Ayer's, Spring Creek, Chu- 
lio district. 

Nichols', Fifth Avenue bridge, 
Fourth Ward, once owned by Daniel 
R. Mitchell. 

Echols', at Crystal Springs, Sum- 
merville Road, Armuchee Creek. 

Young's, on the Kingston Road. 

One of the most picturesque in the 
county is on Silver Creek at Lindale. 
It was known in the old days as Hoss' 
mill ; it has a large metal wheel which 
turns no more; water was carried to 
it in a race from the high ground. 
It was destroyed by the Northern 
troops during the war, and rebuilt by 
the owner, Capt. Jacob H. Hoss. For 
a time it was known as Barnett's mill. 

Cohen's Mill (later Loeb's) stood on 
a high spot in South Rome near the 
mouth of Silver Creek. It burned 
down about 20 years ago and nothing 
remains but a pile of ruins. 

Jones' mill, Armuchee Creek, Dal- 
ton road, near Pope's Ferry, was torn 
away by the owner, Seaborn Wright. 



* * 



MISSIONS.— In various parts of 
Cherokee Georgia missions for teach- 
ing the Indians were established in 
1816 under a Congressional appropria- 
tion of $10,000 yearly, which was prob- 
ably increased. The nearest mission to 
the site of Rome was established in 
1821 on the Quin place at Coosa, and 
was known as Missionary Station. Mis- 
sionary Ridge, near Chattanooga, 
Tenn., is said to have taken its name 
from the Indian school there, known as 
Brainerd Mission. Another important 
mission was maintained at New 
Echota, Gordon County, capital of the 
Cherokee Nation, and still another at 
Spring Place, Murray County, both of 
which were taught by Rev. Samuel A. 
Worcester, of Vermont. Missionary 
Station was in charge of Rev. Elijah 
Butler and his wife, Mrs. Esther But- 
ler, who were sent out by the Ameri- 
can Baptist Committee on Foreign 
Missions, at S. Canaan, Conn. 

Still another mission has been locat- 
ed at Turkeytown, Etowah County, 
Alabama. 



* * * 



MITCHELL GUARDS.— This Civil 
War company was named after Daniel 
R. Mitchell, lawyer and one of the 
four founders of Rome. The Rome 



Encyclopedic Section 



403 



Courier of Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, 
]862, commented as follows: 

"On Monday, the 10th Inst., Capt. 
Z. B. Hargrove's company, the 'Mitch- 
ell Guards,' assembled in "the City Hall 
for the purpose of receiving a beauti- 
ful flag from the hands of Miss 
Florence T. Mitchell, before departing 
from their homes for the tended field, 
and perhaps the field of blood. This 
is a fine, full company of vigorous^ 
looking men, that will make their mark 
some day. This makes the twelfth 
company that are now in the field from 
this county. Capt. Kerr's company 
will leave in a few days; also Capt. 
Haney's. These two companies will 
make fourteen companies from Floyd, 
and about 150 recruits. The war spirit 
is up, and old Floyd is 'spreading her- 
self.' " 

The following was the address of 
Miss Mitchell on presenting the flag: 

"Capt. Hargrove and Gentlemen of 
the Mitchell Guards: My father, in 
honor of whom your company of citi- 
zen soldiers has been named, has del- 
egated me to present you this flag. 
He instructs me to tender to you his 
thanks, and assure you of his high re- 
gard for your partiality in the selec- 
tion of a name for your company. 

"My friends, your country is in- 
vaded by the foulest and most ruth- 
less enemy known in the history of the 
civilized world; their impudent preten- 
sions, their unspeakable barbarity, 
their vandal and revengeful spirit, in 
the accomplishment of their thieving 
and plundering objects have called you 
to the battlefield in defense of your 
country, your honor, your fathers, 
mothers, brothers and sisters, wives 
and children, your altars, and even 
your lives. 

"Upon that battlefield you will doubt- 
less carry this flag. When I look upon 
your bright volunteer faces, your stout 
hearts and strong arms, I feel that it 
is unnecessary to say that this flag 
will never be trailed in the dust before 
such a wicked, vandal foe while one 
of you is living. I read from every 
bright countenance now before me the 
united shout upon the bloody field, that 
may be just before you, 'Give me lib- 
erty or give me death!' Go, my friends, 
at the call of your country with hearts 
and arms nerved at the justice of our 
cause, and may the God of Battles go 
with you." 

On the receipt of the flag. Captain 
Hargrove replied: 

"Miss Florence Mitchell: In the 
name and behalf of the company which 



I have the honor to command, I ac- 
cept at your fair hands this beauti- 
ful banner; I accept it, not only as a 
token of your regard for our com- 
pany, but also the love and devotion 
which you have for the holy cause 
which we have espoused. In accepting 
this banner, permit me to say that 
not only I, but each and every member 
cf our company, will ever love and 
cherish it, and with our lives will ever 
defend its sacred folds. In the course 
of events this flag may be borne on 
a field of blood and carnage. If this 
should be the case, and troubles thrown 
about us from which there is no escape, 
we will remember this scene and this 
day, and ere its sacred folds are pol- 
luted by the foul touch of our enemy 
it shall be bathed in the bravest and 
best blood of our company. I love this 
banner because you have presented it 
to us. I love it for its beauty — I love 
it in remembrance of the glorious deeds 
and victories won under it at Oak Hill, 
Belmont, Leesburg, Bethel and Manas- 
sas Plains. 

"But, more than all, I love it be- 
cause it is the ensign of a nation strug- 
gling to perpetuate the liberties be- 
queathed to us by our fathers. Pei- 
mit me again to thank you and to say 




ALMERON WALTON SHANKLIN, superin- 
tendent of the First Methodist Sunday School, 
who was killed in France in 1918. 



404 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



that so long as there is one of us able 
to wield a sword or spring a trigger 
it shall never 'trail in the dust.' 

"Permit me to say to you, my brave 
companions in arms, notwithstanding 
the dark clouds of gloom which seem 
to hang around us, though we may in 
the providence of God have to pass 
t?irough dark and bitter waters, ere we 
achieve our liberty, we are as sure 
of ultimate success as the justice of 
our cause, and with God as arbiter of 
nations — if we but do our duty. A 
cause like ours can never be surrend- 
ered! No, never! We are fighting 
for all that is worth living for — our 
country, our liberty, our altars, and 
our honor. We will all stand or fall 
together. A people united and deter- 
mined to be free, as we are, can never 
be conquered. 

"Our reverses at Roanoke and Don- 
elson have kindled the fires of liberty 
afresh from the Potomac to the Rio 
Grande, which is burning with a blaze 
of glory from center to circumference. 
The tocsin of war is now sounding 
throughout the length and breadth of 
our land, and thousands of the chival- 
rous sons of the Sunny South are 
flocking to their country's standard 
and swearing eternal allegiance to the 
Stars and Bars. In this terrible strug- 
gle many of the bravest and best of 
us may die, but this is necessary that 
liberty may live. In this we say, the 
will of God be done. To you, my brave 
companions in arms, let me say when 
the hour of trial comes (as come it 
will) remember Leonidas and his 300 
Spartans. 

"And now to you, Lieut. Hanson, I 
commit this flag. It is unnecessary for 
me to say to you, guard and defend 
it as you would your honor. Resolve 
to fall a freeman rather than live a 
slave." 

On receiving the flag, Lieut. Han- 
son replied: "I receive it to defend 
it, and the cause it represents; rather 
will I die than either shall be dishonor- 
ed in my hands." 

Muster Roll of the Mitchell Guards. 

Officers — 

Z. B. Hargrove, captain. 

L. T. Mitchell, First Lieut. 

A. C. Camp, Second Lieut. 

W. B. Hanson, Third Lieut. 

A. M. Carter, Orderly Sergt. 
W. J. Shockley, Second Sergt. 
T. J. Hanson, Third Sergt. 

L. M. Cobb, Fourth Sergt. 

B. J. McGinnis, Fifth Sergt. 
J. Tropp, First Corporal. 

R. M. White, Second Corporal. 



C. B. Adkins, Third Corporal. 
W. T. Burns, Fourth Corporal. 
J. Haley, Fifth Corporal, 

Privates — 



W. S. Alcorn 
J. F. Allen 
T. T. Arnold 
L. Ashealds 
T. P. Ayres 
J. W. Bagwell 
P. H. Baker 
I. T. Bell 
J. Boswell 
W. J. Bradshaw 
W. J. Camp 
W. M. Campbell 
W. C. Carr 
J. N. Coker 
R. A. Cowan 

A. Cordle 

J. H. Crocker 

B. Davis 

S. H. Devore 
T. J. Dodd 
A. J. Doig 
W. P. Doig 
W. W. Duke 
E. Estes 
M. Farmer 
J. H. Fuller 
J. P. Fuller 
G. W. Green 
E. J. Hanson 
J. D. House 
W. Howe 
J. Hubert 
J. T. Hughes 
J. P. Isbell 
W. B. Johnston 
W. C. Kerce 



S. H. Kyle 

E. H. Lumpkin 

J. W. Miller 

C. C. Morrison 
J. B. Morrison 
W. S. Morrison 
J. H. McArver 
J. M. McKane 
T. J. McLain 

D. N. Nichols 
N. T. Nichols 
W. Nichols 

R. W. Nix 
T. H. Norman 
T. Norman 
H. B. Oswalt 
J. T. Oswalt 
S. C. Oswalt 
R. Patlow 
R. Peppers 
T. P. Plumer 
T. M. Pruit 

E. P. Scott 
H. F. Sharpe 
J. N. Smith 

J. F. Spragins 
W. T. Spragins 
W. S. Thomas 
R. Wadle 
C. N. Waters 
Daniel Waters 
J. E. Weathers 
J. C. Willis 
J. W. Woods 
L. D. Wooten 
W. P. Young 



MOUNTAINS OF FLOYD COUN- 
TY. — According to the "Rome Quad- 
rangle" map of the United States Geo- 
logical Survey, the highest point in 
Floyd County is the triangulation sta- 
tion on Lavender Mountain, a mile 
and a half southwest of Redmond Gap 
— 1,695 feet above sea level. The sec- 
ond highest is the southern tip of 
John's Mountain, in the extreme north- 
ern part of the county, between Crys- 
tal Springs and Floyd Springs — 1,549 
feet. The third is Mt. Alto (Horse- 
leg Mountain), four miles southwest 
of Rome— 1,529 feet. Others follow: 

Rock Mountain, separating Little 
Texas and Big Texas valleys, and 
northwest of Lavender; 1,000 feet. 

Armstrong Mountain, Ridge Valley, 
between Pinson and Hermitage; 1,000 
feet. 

Simms Mountain, bordering Big 
Texas Valley on the northwest and 
constituting the main part of the boun- 



Encyclopedic Sectio 



N 



405 



dary line between Floyd and Chat- 
tooga Counties; 1,000 feet. 

Turnip Mountain, an offshoot of the 
Lavender range, southwest of it and 
north of and overlooking the Coosa 
River at Camp's Bend; 1,000 feet. 

Tubbs Mountain, East Rome, which 
is owned by Mrs. Waller T. Turnbull 
and contains her home; 937 feet. 

Judy Mountain, two miles west of 
Turnip, and Turkey Mountain, two 
miles southeast of Floyd Springs, a 
mile and a half west of the Gordon 
County line, and belted on its eastern 
and southern sides by the Oostanaula 
River, are not labeled as to height. 

The ridges inclosing Vann's and 
Ridge Valleys are from 600 to 1,000 
feet in altitude, and a spur midway 
between Silver Creek and Chulio is 
1,138 feet. The shaggy manes of sev- 
eral brown promontories shake be- 
nignly over Everett Springs from a 
height of 1,000 feet. 

;•: rj: ^ 

MUNICIPAL BUILDING (CITY 
HALL). — Location: West side of 
Broad Street, on northwest corner of 
Broad and Sixth Avenue, next to Car- 
negie Library. Work was begun Apr. 
3, 1915, under the administration of 
Mayor J. D. Hanks, was continued un- 
der the administration of W. M. Gam- 
mon (first commissioner) and was fin- 
ished under the administration of First 
Commissioner Chas. S. Pruden in 1916. 

The Councilmen in office when the 
ground was broken were T. B. Broach, 
P. J. Mullen, L. F. McKoy, J. W. 
Keown, P. H. Vandiver, W. L. Daniel 
and F. W. Copeland. T. Edward Graf- 
ton was superintendent of public 
works, Sam S. King assistant, and 
Hugh McCrary secretary of the com- 
mission. Max Meyerhardt was city 
attorney. The aldermen were Corne- 
lius Terhune, Chas. T. Jervis and C. O. 
Walden. 

The architect was A. Ten Eyck 
Brown, of Atlanta. The J. F. DuPree 
Sons Co. were the general contrac- 
tors. The Walker Electric & Plumb- 
ing Co. furnished the heating and 
plunibing apparatus, and the Rome 
Supply Co. did the electrical work. 

The election for $100,000 of bonds 
was carried Dec. 28, 1914. The bonds 
were sold and the contract signed Mar. 
31, 1915. An issue of $40,000 addi- 
tional was authorized in 1916. 

An unusual circumstance spurred 
far-seeing Romans to action in the 
purchase of the block of real estate on 
which the structure stands. Upper 
Broad Street and the surrounding 



neighborhood had always been used 
more or less by the negroes for their 
shops and to some extent for their 
homes and houses of worship. This 
section lay in the path of Rome's nat- 
ural commercial expansion. Word was 
passed in 1907 that the colored people 
had raised a fund to buy the lot, and 
were planning to erect a Masonic lodge 
building. A Roman, who didn't have 
an umbrella, pulled on his galoshes 
and paddled around in the rain long 
enough to buy an option. Had he 
waited a day longer, the other trade 
would have been completed, and the 
Municipal Building and Carnegie Li- 
brary would today be occupying dif- 
ferent and probably less desirable sites. 

^ ;}s :j« 

NEVIN'S OPERA HOUSE.— Open- 
ed Oct. 1, 1880; destroyed by fire Dec. 
31, 19J9. Was located between Wool- 
worth store and Rome Supply Co. on 
Broad Street. Erected by Mitchell A. 
Nevin and Thos. H. Jonas at a cost 
of $21,000 and was managed by Mr. 
Nevin and Israel S. Jonas in the early 
days, and by Jas. B. Nevin later. Early 
booking was done by Frank P. O'Brien, 
of Birmingham and New York. Had 
seating capacity of 1,000. Most of the 
theatrical performances now showing 
in Rome use the City Auditorium. 

^ ^ ^ 

RHODEF SHOLEM CONGREGA- 
TION ("Followers of Peace").— 
Founded in 1871 by David Jacob Mey- 
erhardt, father of Judge Max Meyer- 
hardt, who officiated until his death in 
1890. Jacob Kuttner then officiated 
until his death in 1905, at which time 
Isaac May assumed charge, and is the 
incumbent. The vice-president is Judge 
Max Meyerhardt and the secretary and 
treasurer Joe Esserman. M. Miller is 
the rabbi, and the trustees are Harry 
Lesser, Pressley Esserman and Jake 
Mendelson. Rabbi David Esserman 
served ft^om 1898 until 1916, when ill 
health forced him to resign. He died 
in 1917. 

The congregation still worships in a 
rented hall in the Masonic Temple, but 
a building has been created which will 
be used later to ei-ect a handsome house 
of worship. The Sunday School, 
taught by Judge Max Meyerhardt, has 
a membership of nearly 60. 

rj; * :|: 

RIVERS OF FLOYD COUNTY.— 
The rivers which drain Floyd County 
flow in a generally southwestward di- 
rection; the Oostanaula and the Eto- 
wah unite at Rome to form the Coosa, 
which threads its way in a serpentine 



406 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



course through eastern Alabama until 
it joins the Tallapoosa near Wetump- 
ka and Montgomery and then glides 
.into the Alabama River and finally 
loses itself in the Gulf of Mexico. The 
Etowah is not navigable. The Oosta- 
naula admits small steamers as far 
upas Carter's Quarters, Murray Coun- 
ty, 105 miles, w^hile the Coosa can be 
plied 250 miles, nearly to the junc- 
tion with the Tallapoosa. Greensport 
is the extremity and Gadsden a popu- 
lar inUnd port. The navigable ex- 
tent of the two rivers is therefore 355 
miles. 

A keg placed in the Etowah at its 
source, if unobstructed, would reach 
Rome in about three days, as it would 
if set free in the Oostanaula, the flow 
being a rapid at the start, and rush- 
ing on at the rate of about seven miles 
an hour 100 miles up and calming 
down to two or three miles at Rome. 
Should a giant stand at the head wa- 
ters of the Oostanaula, break a stone 
and drop half into the water, particles 
of it would be washed eventually into 
the Gulf of Mexico via Rome and Mo- 
bile Bay; if he should place the other 
ha-f of the rock in his sling and hurl 
it a quarter of a mile to another rush- 
ing stream, particles would be carried 
into the Toccoa River, then the Ocoee, 
then Hiwassee, then the Tennessee 
(past Chattanooga and Muscle Shoals) 
and finally into the Gulf at New Or- 
leans by the majestic Mississippi. The 
sandy particles would find their way 
to Mobile Bay via Rome if cast into 
the Etowah, but if they should be slung 
into the gurgling Tesnatee, a tributary 
of the Chattahoochee, they would pass 
Atlanta and Columbus and ble dis- 
charged into the Gulf via the Appa- 
lachicola River and Appalachicola Bay. 

Should a mischievous and adventur- 
ous hob-goblin mount the keg as it 
skimmed along the Etowah, he would 
not only see the muskrats, the fish, the 
eels and mussels at play, and the squir- 
rels cracking nuts on the banks, but 
he would hear the farmers singing 
through the bottom land cornfields and 
the moonshiners droning over their 
mash. If he could stretch his neck a 
bit — so it would put his head above 
the tallest sycamore trees fringing the 
biank — he could gaze on Dahlonega, 
Lumpkin County; Dawsonville, Daw- 
son County; Hightower, Forsyth Coun- 
ty; Canton, Cherokee County; Car- 
tersville and Kingston, Bartow Coun- 
ty; and finally the arching spires of 
Rome. 

Should the hob-goblin forsake the 
muddy river for the clear Oostanaula 



he would take his start in the classic 
Cohutta Mountains in Fannin County, 
pass through a part of Polk and Brad- 
ley Counties, Tenn., then come back 
to Georgia, go within hailing distance 
of Dalton, Whitfield County, straddle 
the county line between Whitfield and 
Murray, pass Resaca and Calhoun in 
Gordon County, and amble on down to 
Rome; or if he took the Coosawattee 
branch of the Oostanaula he would 
start his impish journey on Cherrylog 
Creek, near Blue Ridge, Fannin Coun- 
ty, bow his way into the Ellijay River, 
doff his purple velvet cap at Ellijay, 
Gilmer County, yell at Sam Carter at 
Carter's Quarters, Murray County, and 
enter the purling Oostanaula at Re- 
saca, in Gordon. 

After sailing along more slowly to 
Rome and the Mayo Bar Lock, eight 
miles below, the "little gamin would 
shoot the rapids beyond the lock and 
dam, and by the time he reached the 
mouth of Big Cedar Creek, near the 
Alabama line, he would be apt to hop 
off the keg, skip along the creek until 
he reached Cave Spring, and there ex- 
plore the wonderful cave and play with 
the school children to his heart's con- 
tent. 

ROMANS IN CONGRESS.— The 
nresent senior Senator from Georgia, 
Wm. J. Harris, of Cedartown, was 
once a resident of Rome, and Milford 
W. Howard, who went to Congress in 
the nineties from Ft. Payne, Ala., was 
born in the DeSoto district, now the 
Fourth Ward. Mr. Howard wrote a 
book entitled "If Christ Came to 
Congress." This was such a scath- 
ing arraignment that when Mr. How- 
ard arrived to resume his duties, his 
scat was contested by Speaker Thos. 
B. Reed and others. 

In 1868 Dr. H. V. M. Miller was 
elected to the United States Senate 
from Atlanta, defeating Jos. E. Brown. 
He had removed from Rome the year 
before. He was not seated until a few 
days before his term expired. 

The following Ronxans have been 
elected to Congress from Rome: 

Before the War. 

JNO. H. LUMPKIN; 28th Congress, 
1843-5; Georgia contemporaries: Ed- 
ward J. Black, Absalom H. Chappell, 
Duncan L. Clinch, Howell Cobb, Hugh 
A. Haralson, John Millen, Alexander 
H. Stephens, Wm. H. Stiles. Twenty- 
ninth Congress, 1845-7; contempora- 
ries: Howell Cobb, Hugh A. Haralson, 
Seaborn Jones, Thos. Butler King, 



Encyclopedic Section 



407 




BEFORE "KING WEEVIL" HAD USURPED THE THRONE. 

The picture shows a "cotton patch" transplanted in Broad Street; year, 1916. Miss 
Frances Wright (Mrs. Julius Clyde Price) telling a crowd of Dixie and Forrest Highway 
tourists the advantages of good roads and diversified agriculture. James M. Cox, of Ohio, 
candidate for President in 1920, is in the automobile in the left foreground. 



Washin^on Poe, Alexander H. Steph- 
ens, Robt. Toombs, Geo. W. Towns. 
Thirtieth Congress, 1847-9; contempo- 
raries: Howell Cobb, Hugh A. Haral- 
son, Alfred Iverson, John W. Jones, 
Thos. Butler King, Alexjander H. 
Stephens, Robt. Toombs. Thirty-fourth 
Congress, 1855-7; contemporaries: 
Howell Cobb, Martin J. Crawford, Na- 
thaniel G. Foster, Jas. L. Seward, Al- 
exander H. Stephens, Robt. P. Trippe, 
Hiram Warner. 

THOS. C. HACKETT;* Thirty- 
first Congress, 1849-51 ; contempora- 
ries: Howell Cobb (elected speaker 
Dec. 21, 1849), Hugh A. Haralson, 
Jos. W. Jackson, Thos. Butler King, 
Allen F. Owen, Alexander H. Steph- 
ens, Robt. Toombs, Marshall J. Well- 
born. 

AUGUSTUS R. WRIGHT; 35th 
Congress, 1857-9; contemporaries: 
Martin J. Crawford, Lucius J. Gartrell, 
Joshua Hill, James Jackson, James L. 
Seward, Alexander H. Stephens, Robt. 
P. Trippe, Hiram Warner. 

JOHN W. H. UNDERWOOD; 36th 
Congress, 1859-61; contemporaries: 
Martin J. Crawford, Lucius J. Gartrell, 
Thos. Hardeman, Jr., Joshua Hill, Jas. 
Jackson, John J. Jones, Peter E. Love. 
(On Jan. 23, 1861, the Georgia dele- 
gation retired from Congress, and 

*Died Oct. 8, 1851, at Marietta, Ga. 



Joshua Hill was the only one who went 
through the formality of a resigna- 
tion). 

After the War. 

JUDSON C. CLEMENTS; 51st 
Congress, 1889-91; contemporaries: 
Geo. T. Barnes, Jas. H. Blount, Allen 
D. Candler, Henry H. Carlton, Chas. 
F. Crisp, Thos. W. Grimes, Rufus E. 
Lester, Jno. D. Stewart, Henry G. 
Turner. (Judge Clements removed to 
Rome in 1887 from LaFayette, Walker 
County, having been just returned to 
Congress from that point. At the next 
election he was living at Rome, but 
after his service in the 51st he declined 
re-election. While living in Walker he 
had served in the 47th through the 
49th, 1881-7. In the 50th, 1887-9, 
he served with the same colleagues as 
in the 51st, except that Thos. M. Nor- 
wood was serving in the 50th, and was 
succeeded by Rufus E. Lester in the 
51st). 

JOHN W. MADDOX; 53rd Con- 
gress, 1893-5; contemporaries: J. C. 
C. Black, Thos. B. Cabaniss, Chas. F. 
Crisp, Thos. G. Lawson, Rufus E. Les- 
ter, Leonidas F. Livingston, Chas. L. 
Moses, Benj. E. Russell, F. Carter 
Tate, Henry G. Turner. Fifty-fourth 
Congress, 1895-7; contemporaries: C. 
L. Bartlett, Chas. F. Crisp, the father; 
Chas. R. Crisp, the son; Thos. G. Law- 
son, Rufus E. Lester, Leonidas F. Liv- 



408 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



ingston, Chas. L. Moses, F. Carter 
Tate, Henry G. Turner. Fifty-fifth 
Congress, 1897-9 ; contemporaries : 
Wm. C. Adamson, Chas. L. Bartlett, 
Wm. G. Brantley, Wm. H. Fleming, 
Jas. M. Griggs, Wm. M. Howard, Rufus 

E. Lester, Elijah B. Lewis, Leonidas 

F. Livingston, F. Carter Tate. Fifty- 
sixth Congress, 1899-1901; contempo- 
raries: Same as in 55th. Fifty-sev- 
enth Congress, 1901-3; contemporaries: 
Same as in 55th and 56th. Fifty- 
eighth Congi-ess, 1903-5; contempora- 
ries: Same as in 55th, 56th and 57th 
except that Thos. W. Hardwick took 
the place of Wm. H. Fleming. 

* * * 

ROME FEMALE COLLEGE.— 
Founded about 1853 by Col. Simpson 
Fouche, as the Cherokee Female Insti- 
tute. Col. Fouche conducted it until 
Jan. 1, 1857, when he was succeeded 
by Dr. and Mrs. Jno. M. M. Caldwell, 
who had previously operated a school 
for day students in their home, the 
old John Ross house, in the Fourth 
Ward. It was situated on the north 
side of Eighth Avenue where the Bur- 
ney and Willingham homes are now 
located. After Mrs. Caldwell's death 
June 8, 1886, at the school. Dr. Cald- 
well continued the institution, but it 
finally passed into the hands of Dr. 
J. B. S. Holmes, who converted it into 
a private sanitarium, which burned 
down in the early nineties. 

As claimed by the Caldwells and ac- 
cording to fact, the college was an 
outgrowth of the Institute, for in the 
larger institution boarding pupils were 
accepted, and they came from many 
states. It began its career under the 
auspices of the Presbyterian Synod of 
Georgia, but in 1860, along with simi- 
lar institutions, passed into the owner- 
ship of Dr. Caldwell. A new charter 
was granted in July, 1877. The Synod 
again tried to obtain control in 1885. 

The twenty-fifth anniversary was 
celebrated in 1882. On Sunday, June 
4, the Rev. John Jones, president of 
the first board of trustees, delivered 
the baccalaureate address, and on 
commencement day, June 8, Dr. Cald- 
well spoke, and the Alumnae Society 
held a reunion at the college. 

On Feb. 15, 1886, the art and music 
departments, dining room and kitchen 
were destroyed by fire, with a loss of 
a valuable collection of art treasures, 
the accumulation of 25 years. The 
building loss was soon restored. 

The booklet of 1886 lists the follow- 
ing faculty: Dr. Caldwell, president 
and professor of Evidences of Chris- 



tianity; Samuel Craighead Caldwell* 
vice-president and professor of meta- 
physics, natural science and higher 
mathematics; Mrs. S. C. Caldwell, lady 
principal and in charge of dormitories; 
Miss Ella Young, Latin and Belles- 
Letters; Miss S. P. Barker, elocution, 
reading and English Composition; 
Prof. A. Buttel, principal of music de- 
partment; Madame A. Buttel, French 
and German; Miss Ella Bailey, art; 
S. C. Caldwell, secretary and treas- 
urer. Among other teachers of va- 
rious periods might be mentioned Mrs. 
Arthur W. Tedcastle, of Boston. The 
school maintained a primary depart- 
ment as well as the advanced grades. 

sj= * ^ 

ROME LIGHT GUARDS.— This 
Civil War company was formed as 
soon as the war clouds began to gather 
definitely — in 1858 — by Edward Jones 
Magruder, a graduate of the Virginia 
Miltary Institute at Lexington, Va., 
and who in later years taught a mil- 
itary school at Rome. The following 
muster roll was taken from The Rome 
Tri-Weekly Courier of Tuesday morn- 
ing, May 28, 1861. A few recruits 
have been added to The Courier list: 

Officers — 

Captain — Edward J. Magruder, 
First Lieut.— Sidney H. Hall. 
Second Lieut.— Melville Dwinell. 
Third Lieut. — Geo. R. Lumpkin. 
First Sergt.— Jas. T. Moore. 
Second Sergt. — Rufus F. Hutchings. 
Third Sergt.— W. S. Hutchings. 
Fourth Sergt. — Isaac Donkle. 
First Corp. — Wm. S. Skidmore. 
Second Corp.— M. B. Holland 
Third Corp.— Leonidas T. Mitchell. 
Fourth Corp. — Jno. J. Black. 
Bugler. — Geo. G. Merck. 
Surgeon. — Dr. Jno. M. Gregory. 

Drummers — 

Jimmy A. Smith, Johnson Willbanks, 
C. M. Fouche, Henry S. Lansdell. 

Privates — 

Jas. H. Anderson S. S. Clayton 

Geo. S. Aycock Philip Cohen 

Wm. Aycock Hugh D. Cothran 

Geo. Barnsley R. D. DeJournett 

L. Barnsley Geo. G. Demming 

W. J. Barrett F. M. Ezzell 

Wm. A. Barron Geo. W. Fleetwood 

A. J. Bearden Robt. T. Fouche 

Jno. N. Bearden B. J. Franks 

Jno. F. Beasley John S. Gibbons 

R. W. Boggs Wm. F. Glenn 

Wm. S. Booten Lewis Graves 

Will Burnett Larkin Green 

Jas. B. Clark I,indsey Hall 



*A graduate in 1868 of Princeton Univeraity, 
Princeton, N. J. ; a. m. in 1871. 



Encyclopedic Section 



409 



Scott Hardin 
Z. B. Hargrove 
D. C. Hargrove 
T. C. Howard 
G. W. Hutchings 
J. M. Jack 
A. R. Johnson 

C. L. Johnson 
Josiah Johnston 
Silas R. Jones 
M. Kauffman 
Geo. W. King 
W. S. Lansdell 
Wm. F. Leigh 
Wm. Lother 

W. H. H. Martin 
Hugh McCullough 
Thos McGrath 
Wm. McKay 
M. D. McOsker 

D. H. Miller 

Wm. L. 



Chas. B. Norton 
Geo. C. Norton 
W. F. Omberg 
W. M. Payne 
J. R. Penny 
A. F. Pemberton 
M. A. Ross 
C. W. Rush 
M. L. Sanders 
Geo. K. Sanford 
J. T. Shackelford 
J. F. Shelton 
Chas. H. Smith 
Henry A. Smith 
Virgil A. Stewart 
F. M. Stovall 
Geo. T. Stovall 
J. A. Stevenson, Jr. 
J. J. Stinson 
T. W. Swank 
R. P. Watters 
Morefield 



H. S. Lansdell furnished The Trib- 
une of Rome of May 26, 1895, with 
the following list of 39 Light Guard 
members then living: 

J. H. Anderson W. S. Lansdell 



Geo. Barnsley 
W. J. Barrett 
A. J. Bearden 
J. J. Black 
R. W. Boggs 



M. D. McOsker 
Geo. G. Merck 
Geo. Milam 
D. H. Miller 
L. T. Mitchell 



R. D. DeJournett J. T. Moore 



F. M. Ezzell 
R. T. Fouche 
J. A. Franks 
W. F. Glenn 
A. F. Gregory 
Z. B. Hargrove 
A. R. Johnson 
C. L. Johnson 
Joe Johnson 
J. D. Jones 
S. R. Jones 
M. Kauffman 



Geo. C. Norton 
W. F. Omberg 
W. M. Payne 
Jno. Pinson 
C. A. Rush 
J. F. Shelton 
W. J. Shockley 
J. A. Smith 
H. A. Smith 
J. A. Stephenson 
V. A. Stewart 
T. W. Swank 



H. S. Lansdell 

Of the survivors in 1865, the fol- 
lowing stacked arms with Lee at Ap- 
pomattox, having remained with the 
Guards to the end: 



W. A. Barron 
R. W. Boggs 
W. A. Choice 
J. A. Franks 
G. W. Hutchings 
R. F. Hutchings 



C. L. Johnson 
H. S. Lansdell 
W. S. Lansdell 

D. H. Miller 
J. F. Shelton 
H. A. Smith 



A. R. Johnson 

The Reserve Recruiting Corps was 
composed of A. E. Ross, secretary and 
treasurer; W. H. Collier, Jno. R. Paye, 
H. C. Miner and J. L. Pinson. 
* * * 

ROME'S MILITARY RULERS.— 
Four principal chieftains of the Union 
Army presided over Rome's destinies 



at various periods during 1864. Brig. 
Gen. Jefferson Columbus Davis was 
commanding the right wing of Sher- 
man's army when it entered Rome for 
the first time May 18. He personally 
supervised battery work from the new 
Shorter College hill in West Rome, and 
drove the Confederates off Ft. Stovall 
(Myrtle Hill cemetery), for which 
"gallant and meritorious conduct" he 
was cited in general orders. A story 
is told that he tried the ruse of taking 
a woman — Mrs. Lizzie Roach Hughes — 
to the top of Shorter hill, saying to 
her that they would go up and see 
whether any Confederates were left in 
Rome, but in reality, it was claimed, 
thinking the "Rebs" wouldn't fire with 
a woman present. As soon as the Con- 
federates made out the general and 
Mrs. Roach through their glasses, they 
sent a shell screeching overhead. 

Gen. Davis was a native of Indiana, 
born in 1828, and came out of the Mex- 
ican War as a lieutenant, having dis- 
tinguished himself at Buena Vista. He 
was a member of the garrison which 
burned Ft. Moultrie before the fall of 




JUDGE M. B. GERRY, once of Macon, and 
seven years a resident of Rome, a leading 
lawyer and jurist. 



410 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Ft. Sumter in 1861, and his record 
throughout the war was one of con- 
spicuous gallantry. He was mustered 
out as a major general. On Sept. 29, 
1862, he had the misfortune to engage 
in an altercation over military matters 
with Gen. Wm. Nelson at the Gait 
House, Louisville, Ky., and shot Gen. 
Nelson dead with a pistol. He was ar- 
rested, but restored to duty and was 
never tried. He died at Chicago in 
1879. 

After five days in Rome, Gen. Davis 
hurried on in the pursuit of Gen. Jos. 
E. Johnston's army, and fought May 
26 at New Hope church, near Dallas. 
He left Brig. Gen. Wm. Vandever in 
command. Gen. Vandever set up head- 
quarters in the James M. Spullock 
home, 911 Broad Street. Gen. Van- 
dever was a native of Baltimore, and 
was 47 years old when he was at Rome. 
He had lived a while in Illinois, and 
when the war broke out was serving 
in Congress from the Dubuque dis- 
trict of Iowa. He resigned his seat in 
Congress and entered the war. His 
men traveled 45 miles March 5, 1862, 
and turned the tide at Pea Ridge, Ark., 
the next day, and on a number of oc- 
casions later he was cited, and was 
discharged with the rank of brevet 
major general. After the war he re- 
moved to California, where he was 
again elected to Congress, and he died 
in 1893 at Buena Ventura at 77 years 
of age. 




WARREN G. HARDING, president of the 
IJKited States, as he addressed a crowd from 
rear of train in East Rome, Jan. 21, 1921. 



Gen. Vandever also soon hurried on 
with his command and left Rome to 
Brig. Gen. Jno. Murry Corse, who 
moved headquarters to the Hood-Cum- 
ming-Feathersto'n-Rixie place at 709 
Broad, and soon thereafter to the home 
of Maj. Chas. H. Smith at 312 Fourth 
Avenue, where the home of Mrs. Chas. 
A. Hight is now located. For four and 
a half months Gen. Corse ruled over 
Rome; he was not as popular with the 
citizens as Gen. Davis or Gen. Van- 
dever, due, perhaps, to the fact that 
the heavy work of the occupation fell 
to his lot. Atlanta had been taken 
Sept. 2, 1864, and Sherman was chas- 
ing Hood northward along the W. & A. 
railroad. Gen. Corse had been ordered 
to withdraw his garrison of 1,054 men 
from Rome and to reinforce Col. Tour- 
telotte at Allatoona Pass, Bartow 
County. Corse arrived Oct. 5 and he 
and Tourtelotte were beset by a su- 
perior force under Maj. Gen. S. G. 
French. Before the onslaught Gen. 
French demanded surrender, but Corse 
returned a defiant answer. While lying 
seriously wounded. Corse directed his 
part of the fight, and finally received 
a signal message over the heads of 
the Confederates from Gen. Vandever, 
"Sherman says 'Hold on; I am com- 
ing.' " Corse continued the fight, and 
was saved when Sherman came up 
from Kennesaw Mountain; and the 
Confederates, now outnumbered, with- 
drew. 

Gen. Corse was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania but went into the Federal army 
from Iowa. He was born about 1832, 
and started his military career at West 
Point. He was cited for his conduct 
at Allatoona Pass and was breveted 
major general before he was mustered 
out. He died Apr. 27, 1893. It was 
Gen. Corse and his men, acting under 
direct orders of Gen. Sherman, who 
destroyed Kingston by fire as the Un- 
ion columns swung into line on the 
March to the Sea. 

Gen. Wm. T. Sherman came into the 
picture after the other three. He had 
his headquarters at the Smith home on 
two occasions. His diary mentions 
that he went from Kingston to Rome 
Nov. 12, 1864, and on the 14th was 
before Resaca, 30 miles away, so he 
may have spent the night in Rome and 
left the next morning, the 13th. The 
diary of R. S. Norton, father of Mrs. 
Wm. M. Towers, states that Sherman 
and his staff entered Rome the night 
of Oct. 29, 1864; on this occasion he 
is supposed to have remained two and 
a half days. He went back to King- 
ston. 



Encyclopedic Section 



411 




bnX n 



412 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Sherman left Rome in charge of Gen. 
Davis. This marked the beginning of 
the evacuation of Rome, and it started 
at 5 a. m. Nov. 10, according to the 
Norton diary, with a bonfire made out 
of Rome business and manufacturing 
establishments. It was Gen. Davis' 
duty to carry out Sherman's orders 
to burn certain valuable structures; 
however, it is understood that Gen. 
Jno. M. Corse, serving under Gen. Da- 
vis, actually applied the torch. 

A fifth Federal commander ap- 
peared on the scene after the war. He 
was Capt. Chas. A. de la Mesa, of Co. 
I, 39th New York Infantry during the 
hostilities. On June 20, 1865, Capt. 
de la Mesa opened the Freedmen's Bu- 
reau on Broad Street and took charge 
as reconstruction commander, with 
several companies of troops.* His po- 
sition was difficult with so many post- 
war antagonisms, and he participated 
in a number of narrow escapes from 
the infuriated citizenry. He served 
two or three years. After his death, 
thought to have taken place in Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., his widow, Francis A. M. 
de la Mesa, married Chas. H. Terry, 
late assistant surgeon of the 13th New 
York cavalry. She died Mar. 9, 1920. 
The de la Mesas lived at the bureau. 




MISS MARTHA BERRY (left) and MISS 
ELIZABETH LANIER (Mrs. Robt. Boiling, 
of Philadelphia), at the Berry home, "Oak 
Hill." 



next door to the old Buena Vista Ho- 
tel. 

When Gen. Davis came back to Rome 
after the fall of Atlanta,** he called 
on Mrs. Robt. Battey on First Avenue, 
dismissing his orderly at the front 
door. Also paying a call were Mr. and 
Mrs. Addison Maupin, Virginia peo- 
ple and neighbors. Mr. Maupin kept 
a drug store at Rome with J. H. Now- 
lin, under the firm name of Nowlin & 
Maupin. He had a herd of cows and 
had been selling milk to the soldiers, 
and had had trouble protecting the 
herd from thieves. 

The following conversation ensued: 
Gen. Davis: "Mrs. Battey, I want 

to ask if you can tell me how far it is 

to Atlanta." 

Mrs. Battey: "You ought to know, 
General; you have just come from 
there." 

"How far is it to Jacksonville, Ala.?" 

"About as far as it is to Atlanta, I 
suppose." 

"Where is your husband?" 

"I don't know, exactly, maybe in 
Mississippi. Why do you ask me these 
questions?" 

"Because I thought I could send your 
husband back to you." 

Mr. Maupin requested Gen. Davis 
to help him protect his cows. 

"General," he said, "Are you aware 
that boys over in DeSoto are shooting 
rifles into Rome?" 

Mrs. Battey replied sharply, "Mr. 
Maupin, you know that is not true. 
The boys of Rome have nothing to 
shoot with." 

Gen. Davis said: "Our soldiers will 
take care of themselves." Then he 
politely bowed his way out. 

Present also and a witness to this 
conversation was Wm. H. Smith, a 
cousin of Wm. Smith and Mrs. Battey, 
who from July, 1868, until November, 
1870, served as reconstruction governor 
of Alabama. Wm. H. Smith was a 
Union man and came to Rome in the 
wake of Sherman's army. He spent 
three months in the Battey home. 

Mrs. Battey was an invalid at this 
time, with several small children to 
care for, and Gen. Davis gave her a 
guard of two soldiers to keep marau- 
ders from tearing away her fences and 
stealing her things. She soon repaid 
him for his kindness. Overhearing a 

*This is evidently an error, since The Rome 
Weekly Courier reported Capt. Kyes in charge 
Aug. 31, 1865. 
**The morning of Sept. 2, 1864. 



Encyclopedic Section 



413 



plot among some of his own soldiers 
to kill him (whether as an echo from 
the Nelson affair is not known), she 
sent for him and warned him. It seems 
that Gen. Davis was expected to pass 
a certain spot near the Burwell Creek 
bridge on the Oostanaula River road, 
and here the assassins were due to 
have been waiting. 

Gen. Davis sent a patrol squad and 
they brought back a number of suits of 
Confederate clothing, found hidden in 
a hollow log. From the evidence it 
appeared that the plotters had ex^ 
pected to kill Gen. Davis and throw 
his body into the river, then to don 
the gray uniforms and take to the 
woods. In some manner word got to 
them that Gen. Davis was aware of 
their game, and they failed to gather 
at the meeting place, and probably fin- 
ished the war under his command. Gen. 
Davis told his riends his escape was 
exceedingly narrow. 

It may be appropriate to append here 
a short sketch of Col. Abel D. Streight, 
who, though not a "military ruler of 
Rome," knew the place through his 
visit May 3, 1863 as the "guest" of 
Gen. Forrest:* 

Abel D. Streight was born June 17, 
1828, in Steuben Co., N. Y. He learned 
the carpenter's trade, and at the age of 
19 took a contract for a large mill, 
which he successfully completed. He 
purchased a sawmill and engaged in 
the lumber business at Wheeler, N. Y., 
until 1858, when he moved to Cincin- 
nati. The following year he removed 
to Indianapolis and engaged in pub- 
lishing. He published a pamphlet, 
urging the preservation of the Union 
at all hazards. In Sept., 1861, he joined 
the army as Colonel of the 51st In- 
diana Volunteer Infantry. In April, 
1863, Streight was sent by Rosecrans 
with a force of men to cut the rail- 
roads in western Georgia, over which 
supplies were being sent to Bragg's 
army. The force divided and Streight 
was overtaken and forced to surren- 
der to a force under General Fondest. 
He was imprisoned in Libby prison for 
eight months, when he escaped. He 
was recaptured and put in irons in a 
dungeon. On Feb. 8, 1864, he escaped 
with 108 others through a tunnel under 
the prison wall. After a few weeks 
in Indianapolis he went to the front 
again. 

Gen. Streight died May 27, 1892, and 
his widow, Mrs. Lovina Streight, died 
June 5, 1910. 

♦Summarized from J. P. Dunn's "Indiana 
and Indianans," v. 2, ps. 571-2. 



ROUND TABLE CLUB.— A litera- 
ry organization founded Dec. 21, 1860 
on "The Hill" (probably the home of 
Col. Nicholas J. Bayard), with Henry 
A. Gartrell president and George 
Trippe Stovall secretary, and the fol- 
lowing other members: Misses Flor- 
ida Bayard, Mary Billups, Ellen and 
Martha Cooley, Mary Cothran, Eddie 
Magruder, Sallie Park, Laura and 
Mary Smith, Annie Jeffers and Ellen 
Stovall, and Messrs. I. H. Branham, 
Melville Dwinell, Geo. C. and Chas. B. 
Norton, Wm. L. Skidmore, Henry A. 
Smith and W. H. Jeffers. 
* * * 

SARDIS VOLUNTEERS. — This 
Civil War company was formed at Sar- 
dis Presbyterian church, Coosa, May 
9, 1861, and was mustered into the 
service at Lynchburg, Va., June 11, 
1861, by Major Clag. The following 
muster roll was completed Dec. 25, 
1894, by Curtis Green, of Oglesby, 
Tex., a member who still survives; and 
Mas authenticated by a survivor: 

Officers — 

Captain — John R. Hart. 

First Lieut.— Alfred F. Bate. 

Second Lieut. — Wm. W. Tutt. 

Third Lieut.— J. D. Bouchillon. 

First Sergt. — John R. Lay. 




IVY LEDBETTER LEE, former Roman, now 
New Yorker, publicity director of the Stand- 
ard Oil Co. and the Georgia Ry. & Power Co. 



414 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Second Sergt.— G. W. Mathis. 
Third Sergt.— C. C. Williamson. 
Fourth Sergt. — Wm. D. Moore. 
First Corp. — Jno. P. Fleming. 
Second Corp. — Isaac P. Smith. 
Third Corp.— J. H. Williamson. 
Fourth Corp. — Robt. N. Hays. 
Musicians — David W. Guthrie, Jno. 
L. Guthrie. 

Privates — 
Leonard N. Austin 
Jasper Barkley 
John W. Berryhill 
Martin Bolt 
James E. Buford 
John W. Buford 
Robert Burnes 
Henry H. Burns 
Richard Carey 
Frank Carder 
William A. Carder 
Louis Carpenter 
Asbury Chapman 
James A. Coffer 
James M. Collins 
Martin V. Collins 
Wm. G. Collins 
Jos. A. D. Comer 
A. S. Cone 
Geo. B. Crawford 
Hugh S. Davidson 
John Davis 



William Davis 
William D'Boice 
John H. Doogan 
Joseph A. Duke 
William C. Duke 
Henry Dutton 
Henry W. Fisher 
Thomas Ford 
James A. Frazier 
Robert N. Frazier 
Trustman Frazier 
William N. Frazier 
Curtis Green 
Lee Green 
William H. Griffin 
Johnson S. Griswel 
G. A. Hall 
Tom M. Hall 
Waddy J. Hall 
William J. Hall 
Harrison Hamilton 
William Hardin 




William H. H. HayWilliam B. Nelms 
James D. Holcomb David C. Neyman 
William Holder Joseph K. Neyman 
P. J. Huckaby Samuel North 

William M. Husky G. W. Pilgi-im 
Wm. L M. James Isaac Pilgrim 
Wm. H. Johnson V/m. M. Pilgi-im 
Wm. R. Johnson William Pledger 
George King J. A. Powell 

Jo Lay Draton L. Rains 

German M. Lester Garrett Robinson 
Thomas F. Love Thos. S. Robinson 
John T. Lowry Andrew J. Rose 
William Lumpkin David A. Self 
Jo Mathis Archa Shirey 

J. S. McCollaugh Enoch P. Shirey 
Abe McGee Henry B. Smith 

Robert McKenzie John F. Smith 
James C. Millican John A. Smith 
Thomas Millican James Studard 
George Minix Henry Walker 

Nathan S. Moore Joseph W. West 
James R. MurdockWm. H. Williams 
David Neely John R. Wood 

Wm. H. H. Wright 

Recruits — 
Richard Bailey 
James Barkley 
G. R. A. Brison 
Benj. F. Bryan 
A. J. Collins 
J. J. Comer 
James Davis 
N. B. Ford 
Adolphus Furr 
Walter Furr 
Barney Hall 
John Hall 
Quince Harbour 
Henry Huffman 
Vestal Johnson 
K. W. Kincade 
Z. T. Lawrence 
Frank Luster 



THOS. W. LIPSCOMB, leading member of the 
Rome bar, who was probably the youngest 
mayor Rome ever had. 



Sam Martin 
John Medlock 
Newton Murdock 
Jake Neyman 
William Owens 
Newton Pelt 
Garrison Perry 
John Robinson 
James Sheridan 
Green Smith 
A. M. Vann 
Dave Vann 
D. D. Vann 
W. K. Vann 
D. A. Williamson 
Isaac Williamson 
John L. Williamson 
Robert Wood 
Thomas Wood 

Dr. J. W. Farell, assistant surgeon. 

Transferred from Infantry to Cav- 
alry Battalion, Smith's Legion, Barti- 
zan Rangers, 1862, under command of 
Col. J. I. Smith and Adjutant Edward 
R. Hardin: Jno. R. Hart, Lieut.-Col.; 
B. F. Brown, Major; B. F. Chastain, 
Adjutant; A. F. Bale, Capt. Co. C. 

Sixth Ga. Cavalry, organized in 1863; 
John R. Hart, Col. ; Cicero Fain, Lieut.- 
Col.; Alfred F. Bale, Major; J. W. 
Farell, assistant surgeon; John R. Lay, 
Capt. Co. G; First Lieut., W. I. M. 
James, Second Lieut. G. W. Mathis, 
Third Lieut. Wm. J. Hall., when war 

closed. 

* * * 

SINGERS AND MUSICIANS OF 
ROME. — The following incomplete list 
is furnished by one of them: 



Encyclopedic Section 



415 



First Baptist Church: Miss Beulah 
Cunyus, Miss Elizabeth Betts (Mrs. 
Robt. Wyatt), Henry Arnold, Mrs. 
Taul B. White, Miss Helen Knox Spain, 
J. Glover McGhee, Miss Frances 
Brown, Miss Sarah Glover, Wm. Mc- 
Williams. 

First Presbyterian: Mrs. Frederic 
E. Vaissiere and Edward R. Leyburn, 
Jr. (organist) ; Miss Inez Ebling, Thos. 
E. Clemmons, Tom Rawls, Miss Mir- 
iam Reynolds (organist and soloist). 

First Methodist: Chas. J. Warner, 
Mrs. Paul Nixon (Edith Allen), Mrs. 
Leon Covington, Pierce McGhee, Mrs. 
Wm. 0. Tarpley (organist), Walter 
and Battey Coker, Miss Helen Rhodes, 
Miss Mary Julia Woodruff. 

St. Peter's Episcopal: Mrs. Geo. P. 
Weathers, Mrs. Jno. M. Proctor, Mrs. 
Geo. T. Watts, Miss Mary Veal, Mrs. 
Howard Hull (organist) , Mrs. Felton 
Jones. 

First Christian: T. L. Bagley, Mr. 
and Mrs. J. W. Barton, Mrs. Thos. E. 
Edwards, Mrs. B. F. Archer, Chas. 
Schnedl, Mrs. Jno. H. Wood, Mrs. J. C. 
Thedford, Mrs. Jno. Howell, Mrs. Roy 
Burkhalter and G. F. Winfrey. 

Christian Science: Mrs. Henry 
Stewart (soloist), D. W. Milliken (or- 
ganist). 

Among the "informals" who sing a 
good deal, but usually outside of the 
churches, might be mentioned Joe Pat- 
ton, Fred and Cyril Hull, Felton Mitch- 
ell and Arthur West. Mr. West is 
also an accomplished 'cellist. 

Rome is essentially a musical town, 
and talent is being developed that will 
no doubt some day be heard wherever 
music is in demand. The Music Lovers' 
Clubs, under the capable direction of 
Mrs. Frederic E. Vaissiere, Mrs. Wm. 
P. Harbin, Miss Lula Warner and oth- 
ers, have greatly stimulated the in- 
terest in things musical;, and Mrs. 
Vaissiere's capabilities have been twice 
recognized through her elevation to 
the presidency of the State Federated 
Musical Clubs, a position she now 
holds. 

In the spring of 1922 the First Meth- 
odist church, Rev. Wallace Rogers, 
pastor, started Sunday evening orches- 
tral concerts under the direction of 
Miss Helen Rhodes. 

Community singing in the parks, 
led by Miss Helen Knox Spain, has 
caused Romans to lift up their voices 
in soulful rhapsodies. 

An interesting group of players is 
the "Nixon Trio." Paul Nixon, the 
'cellist, is the composer of a beautiful 



and popular song entitled "Your Pic- 
ture," dedicated to Miss Edith Allen, 
now his wife. His mother, Mrs. E. S. 
Nixon, is the pianist of the three, and 
his sister, Mrs. Lucia Nixon McKay, 
plays the violin, and also teaches it 
capably. Mrs. Paul Nixon teaches 
piano. The Nixons came ftom Nash- 
ville, Tenn. Paul belongs in a musical 
center like New York and will no doubt 
be called there, so his friends declare. 

A younger group are "The Three 
Musical Harbins." William and Lester, 
sons of Dr. and Mrs. Wm. P. Harbin, 
who play the violin and the 'cello, 
respectively, and Rosa Harbin, daugh- 
ter of Dr. and Mrs. Robt. M. Harbin, 
who is quite an accomplished young 
pianist. 

Other players, most of whom have 
been teaching some time, include Misses 
Debby Moses and Clara Shahan, piano; 
Margaret Wilkerson (pupil of Geo. 
Friar Lindner), violin and piano; Mrs. 
H. B. Goff, violin, and Miss Amelia 
Berry, piano. 

* * * 

SPRINGS IN FLOYD COUNTY.— 
(Partial list) — There are four things 
that are primarily necessary to life 
and comfort. The first is air, the sec- 
ond water, the third food and the 
fourth clothing. It is easy to under- 
stand, therefore, that the Indian tribes 
laid great store by bubbling springs 




E. PIERCE M'GHEE. 



416 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



of water when they settled in North- 
west Georgia. When the Ridges drove 
their stakes in the fertile soil of Ridge 
Valley, where the Rush place is sit- 
uated, a spring boiled forth its refresh- 
ing product nearby; and when Major 
Ridge removed to the Oostanaula Riv. 
er, nearer Rome, he still had the use 
of Reece's Spring, near the city pump- 
ing station, and his son, John, re- 
moved to three miles north of Rome, 
where the spring was called "Tantata- 
nara" (Running Waters). Likewise, 
the Belgian Colony, more than 50 years 
later, chose some of the best oases in 
the countryside. Today picnic parties 
claim them, and as long as they flow 
clear, cold and pure they will attract 
man, bird and beast. Here are some 
of the better known springs: 

Booz's, at Boozville. 

Barnett's, at Lindale. 

Howel Spring, one mile from north- 
ern city limits on Kingston Road. 

Morrison's Camp Ground Spring, 
eight miles north, on Kingston Road, is 
the chief headwater of Dykes' Creek. 
It flows 10,000,000 gallons daily, the 
largest in the county, and is said to 
be as high as the top of the old water 
tower at Rome. 

Carlier Springs (perhaps ten, close 




DR. LOUIS MATHIEU EDGUARD BERCK- 

MANS, native Belprian and accomplished vio- 
linist, who lived on Mt. Alto. 



together), on the Carlier Springs Road, 
two miles east of Rome. 

LeHardy Spring, on the J. Paul 
Cooper place in East Rome. 

Lovers' Leap Spring, on the N., C. 
& St. L. railroad and Etowah River 
near the Southern railway bridge and 
a rocky bluff, one mile east of Rome. 

Silver Creek Springs, part of head 
water of Silver Creek, seven miles 
southeast of Rome on the Atlanta Di- 
vision of the Southern railway. (Wood- 
row Wilson once took his first wife to 
this spot on a picnic). 

Shorter Spring, Alabama Road, op- 
posite the Shorter place and on land 
owned by Shorter College. 

Lytle Spring (formerly the Jonas 
King Spring) , near the Anchor Duck 
Mill on East Main Street, South Rome, 
opposite the W. W. Woodruff home. 
(This spring, once in Lytle Park, was 
covered over and piped down to Silver 
Creek to make way for the mill's resi- 
dence development) . 

Floyd Springs, some twelve miles 
north of Rome and west of Turkey 
Mountain. 

Crystal Springs, twelve miles north- 
west of Rome on the Summerville 
Road. 

Sand Springs, midway between Rome 
and the northeastern end of Lavender 
Mountain. 

Rice's Spring, on the Alabama Road 
about five miles west of Rome. 

DeSoto Park Spring (formerly Mob- 
ley) , Cave Spring Road two miles south 
of Rome. 

Harbour's Spring (radio active) , 
six miles north of Rome near the Oosta- 
naula River. 

Burwell Spring, which rises in North 
Rome and forms Burwell Creek, which 
empties into the Oostanaula a quarter 
of a mile above the court house. 

"Glen Alto," Dr. Jno. F. Lawrence's 
radio-active mineral spring, on a gen- 
tle slope near the southwestern ex- 
tremity of Mt. Alto, a mile west of the 
Coosa River Road. This site lends 
itself naturally to an extensive devel- 
opment, a start toward which has been 
made in the erection of a number of 
cottages for the use of summer so- 
journers. 

Cave Spring, located at the town of 
that name sixteen miles southwest of 
Rome, and which flows into Little Ce- 
dar Creek and then into Big Cedar 
Creek and then into the Coosa River 
near the Alabama line. This spring 
is the second largest in the county 



Encyclopedic Section 



417 





CLYDE MOORE SHROPSHIRE, native Ro- 
man, once Speaker of the Tennessee House, 
candidate for governor of Tennessee. 



WILLIAM SMITH, pioneer who led the Jack- 
son County delegation in their pilgrimage 
to the Cherokee Nation. 



and one of the most beautiful any- 
where. It is smaller than the City 
Park Spring at Huntsville, Ala., but 
in its natural effects surpasses it. The 
flow from this spring is 3,444,846 gal- 
lons every 24 hours, or 143,535 gal- 
lons per hour. The fall is considera- 
ble and a ram lifts enough water 100 
feet to a concrete reservoir on the 
overhanging cliff to supply Cave 
Spring with water at practically no 
cost. 

Vann's Valley is also well supplied 
with springs. One is Cress Spring, 
on Wm. S. Gibbons' place on the Cave 
Spring Road. This takes its name 
from the water cress that carpets the 
marsh where the spring has its source. 
The flow has been confined in a race 
and a wheel installed by an enterpris- 
ing farmer who has developed about 
one horsepower, enough to furnish 
electric power for all the needs of his 
nearby dwelling. Yancey's and Jones' 
Springs are also in the valley. 

Spout Spring, located between Fos- 
ter's Mill and Cave Spring, was once 
owned by Prof. Wesley O. Connor. 
This is a stream as big as a man's 
arm which leaps out of a rock and 
falls several feet and disappears into 



the ground. It is about a mile from 
Foster's Mill. 

At Black's Bluff, three miles down 
the Coosa River south of Rome, is a 
spring that issues from rock, snakes 
its way under the road and appears 
again as a spring within 40 feet of 
the river. A spring at the southern 
end of the bluff is a favorite site for 
barbecues. 

The headwater spring of Spring 
Creek is eight miles east of Rome on 
the Chulio Road. 

The headwater spring of Little Dry 
Creek is located at the foot of Laven- 
der Mountain on its southwestern side. 

Everett Spring is in the extreme 
northern end of Floyd County, in a 
highly artistic setting of gray moun- 
tains and little valleys. 

Wet weather springs can be found 

on both sides of Mt. Alto, half way to 

the valleys. 

* * * 

TOWER CLOCK.— Located on Tow- 
er Hill, southeast corner of Filth Ave- 
nue and East Second Street, on city 
property which also includes the Neely 
Grammar School. Mrs. Naomi P. Bale 
("Grandma Georgy") was authority 



418 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



for the following statements, made in 
1921: 

"The water tower was built by John 
W. Noble for the city at a cost of 
$107,000. The clock was made by the 
Howard Clock Co., of Boston, Mass., 
and with the bell cost $1,200. J. E. 
Veal placed the clock on the tower in 
1871 and was timekeeper for five 
years; T. S. Wood kept time five years; 
M. D. McOsker, ten years; Clip Wil- 
liamson, twelve years; R. V. Allen is 
now responsible for correct time." 

For many years the tower served the 
city with water pumped from the sta- 
tion on the Etowah River at Fourth 
Avenue, but the water now comes from 
the Ft. Jackson station, and the tower 
is no longer used. The tower is nearly 
100 feet high and affords a command- 
ing view of the surrounding country. 
It is the first thing people see from 
all directions on approaching Rome. 
Several couples, seeking romance, have 
been married near its top. 

In April, 1922, E. R. Fishburne, the 
jeweler and watch repairer, was named 
timekeeper to succeed R. V. Allen. 
* * * 

VALLEYS OF FLOYD COUNTY. 
— Kieffer Lindsey, County Engineer, 
furnishes the following information: 



Big Texas, runs northeast and south- 
west ten miles, from Fouche to Crys- 
tal Springs,^ with Simms' Mountain 
marking its upper border and Rock 
Mountain its lower, separating it from 
Little Texas Valley. It is bisected by 
Heath Creek. 

Little Texas, runs generally par- 
allel to Big Texas, but at its south- 
western end bends northward around 
Rock Mountain to Fouche, and etends 
to Armuchee, twelve miles. It is bi- 
sected by Lavender Creek. Lavender 
Mountain to the southeast separates it 
from the Flat Woods. 

Ridge, named after Major Ridge, the 
Indian chief, extends twelve miles, 
from Rome northeast to Plainville, 
Gordon County. Armstrong Mountain 
forms one of its outer edges. It is 
bisected by the Southern railway. 

Vann's, named after David Vann, 
the Indian sub-chief, extends south- 
westward from Six Mile Station to 
Cave Spring, ten miles. It is bisect- 
ed by the Southern railway and at 
its Cave Spring end is broken by Lit- 
tle Cedar Creek. 

The valleys of the Coosa, Etowah 
and Oostanaula follow the courses of 
those streams, but are usually not 
shown on the maps. 





WILSON MOORE HARDY, former newspaper 
man, now banker, who has contributed much 
to the upbuilding of the Hill City. 



JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES, editor and orator, 
who established The Tribune of Rome in 
1887 and was head of it three years. 



Encyclopedic Section 



419 



YOUNG MEN'S LIBRARY ASSO- 
CIATION.— The Carnegie Library of 
Rome is an outgrowth of an associa- 
tion formed Feb. 10, 1879, in the law 
office of Wright & Featherston, with the 
following Romans present: Rev. Clem- 
ent A. Evans, Rev. G. A. Nunnally, 
Jno. J. Black, Robt. T. Hargi-ove, t. 
L. Robinson, Dr. J. B. S. Holmes, E. 
A. Williams, Max Meyerhardt, R. A. 
Denny, R. T. Baker, Dr. E. P. Love- 
lace, J. G. Yeiser, Hugh B. Parks, 
Junius F. Hillyer, Jno. R. Towers, Jr., 
Park Harper, Walker W. Brookes, 
Freeman Shropshire, C. L. Omberg, 
Sam C. Caldwell, H. S. Garlington, C. 
N. Featherston, C. A. Thornwell and 
Dr. R. I. Hampton. More than $100 
was subscribed by those present to 
start the movement. 

Mr. Caldwell was elected president, 
Mr. Hillyer vice-president, Mr. Meyer- 
hardt secretary, and Mr. Denny treas- 
urer. R. T. Baker was elected libra- 
rian. Mr. Caldwell served two years; 
E. A. Williams was president from 
May to October, 1880, when he died; 
Mr. Hillyer filled the unexpired term 
and was re-elected; Mr. Black, A. R. 
Sullivan and J. A. Rounsaville held 
the position one year; and J. F. Shank- 
lin was serving his second year in 
1888. 

The original directors were Rev. G. 
A. Nunnally, M. A. Nevin, E. A. Wil- 
liams, J. R. Towers, Jr., J. G. Yeiser, 
Jno. J. Black and Dr. J. B. S. Holmes; 
and the directors in 1888 were J. F. 
Hillyer, R. A. Denny, Max Meyerhardt, 



R. H. West, Mulford M. Pepper, M. A. 
Nevin, Morton R. Emmons, W. H. 
Adkins, C. A. Thornwell, J. A. Roun- 
saville and Jno. J. Black. 

An account of 1888 says: "The 
courage of the projectors who dared 
to inaugurate this movement is already 
vindicated, and is a strong evidence 
that the interests of the young men of 
this community are not altogether ma- 
terial. The organization grew until 
there were 350 members and 14,000 
books and pamphlets." 

Here is mentioned the first "wom- 
an's auxiliary:" 

"The most powerful auxiliary that 
has contributed to the success of the 
iissociation has been the everWready 
hand of woman. Up to 1886 it has 
been the policy of the board to employ 
only male librarians, but that policy 
was then changed, and Miss Hallie Al- 
exander was elected librarian. The 
change was a happy one. She soon 
increased the circulation of books and 
the usefulness of the library by dem- 
onstrating that a librarian is not a 
mere 'keeper of books,' but is largely 
instrumental in stimulating and direct- 
ing the mental activities of a commu- 
nity. Miss Alexander resigned Sept. 
1, 1887, and was succeeded by Miss 
Nellie Ayer, whose administration was 
rewarded by the same success. Miss 
Ayer died in August, 1888; she left 
upon the community the impress of a 
life devoted to duty. Miss Lilla Mor- 
rel, a young lady of splendid attain- 
ments, succeeded her." 




420 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




"DUCKS" MAKE MERRY IN WATER CARNIVAL. 

The photographs show groups of Boy Scouts in their contests on Labor Day, September 5, 
1921. These sports are held annually at the junction of the rivers, and are witnessed by thous- 
ands of people, principally from Myrtle Park, at the northern foot of Myrtle Hill cemetery. 
Near the top is the Boy Scout barge "Sequoyah" and elsewhere groups of the Eagle and Haw- 
thorne troops of Girl Scouts. 



Miscellaneous 



SCOUTS EXPLORE DEEP CAVE— 
Excitement a-plenty attended the all- 
day hike of Boy Scouts yesterday to the 
neighborhood of Black's Bluff and "the 
place whore the Jaybird Jarred the 
Mountain." "The White Team" fought 
the "Red Team" for possession of the 
hilltop, conquered them and put them on 
the ladder's lower rung for the day. Cy- 
ril Hull, ambitious and daring young 
son of Howard Hull, of Shorter College, 
explored a wild and wooly cave, and 
James Glover, an incorrigible scout, col- 
lapsed after taking a strenuous part in 
the battle, the tug-of-war and two foot 
races. 

W. M. Barnett, H. F. Joyner, and G. 
E. Bennett, the three flying parsons, 
were pretty well fagged out from the 
heart-breaking dose of hiking given 
them by the boys. 

Eighty-two scouts lined up behind 
the colors at 9 o'clock at Broad and 
Third avenue. As soon as one of the 
scouts had run around the corner with 
a kodak they stepped off in column of 
fours across the South Rome bridge, 
leaving a lot of office boys and messen- 
ger boys with heavy hearts behind. 

One little lad with a leg shorter than 
the other carried a cocoanut to feast 
upon. Others were laden with all kinds 
of grub and plastered with all varieties 
of cooking utensils as well as scout par- 
aphernalia. First hike that all the 
scouts of Rome had been invited to take 
together, and everybody was proud. 

Two miles from the Bluff sealed or- 
ders were opened and the troopsmen 
told where lay the objective point. The 
bunch were divided, pathfinders and 
signalmen were sent ahead to recon- 
noiter, and the scouts followed trails 
that existed and made trails that did 
not. By their more favorable detour 
the Whites beat the Reds to the hill 
peak and thus became the defenders 
when their wild Indian rivals hove into 
sight. The game was to hold a sham- 
battle and score on points. Arm bands 
snatched off counted so many dead 
scouts. A scout taken along with his 
arm band and brought into camp was 
a prisoner. The Whites won with a 
margin of seven scout prisoners and 
deceased, when — 

"Object ahead, sir!" (from a look- 
out). 

"Can you make it out?" (from Scout 
Executive Bennett.) 



"Object is a cave, sir." 

Discipline suffered as the 82 scouts 
and three officials gathered around a 
depression in the earth pretty well cov- 
ered with brush. Below the face of the 
bluff the Coosa wound in a silver thread 
toward the Alabama line. 

"Who'll volunteer to explore?" 

"DeSoto's my name!" exclaimed 
Scout Cyril Hull in true cavalier style. 

The rope had been bought of the 
Nixon Hardware Co. at the outset and 
it looked to be 100 feet long; a conser- 
vative estimate put it at 75. In a jiffy 
the rope had been secured about Cyril's 
waist just below his palpitating heart, 
and after the opposite end had been 
tied to a tree and a dozen scouts, re-in- 
forced by 70 more, had seized the rope, 
Cyril was shoved into the aperture. 
They fed him rope until none was left. 
"Gimme more rope," signaled the scout 
in the scouts' own peculiar way. 

"You're at the end of it," signaled 
back the boys out in the day-light. Cy- 
ril cut into the side of the cave with his 
hatchet, shot a flood of light down- 
ward with his flash-light, and kicked 
against the sides as he dangled, when 
suddenly, without warning, somebody 
shouted from quarter of a mile below, 

"Get out of that cave!" 

The boys had begun to pull Cyril out 
already and just as his posteriority ap- 
peared at the opening, followed by his 
hair and hatchet, a farmer rushed up 
waving his arms. 

"Snakes down thar, and blind fish," 
he said. 

The boys threw the brush back and 
beat it to the camp, since it was time 
for chow. They prepared a fine dinner, 
stayed until after dark and lit up the 
campfires, on which they cooked sup- 
per, consisting of hot dogs and toasted 
marshmallows. The boy with one leg 
shorter than it really ought to be did 
not eat anything hot; he was too busy 
gnawing away at his cold cocoanut. 

About 6:30 o'clock the scouts stum- 
bled down the mountain side and came 
home, voting the day the best ever 
spent, and wanting very much to go 
again without waiting a life-time. 
James Glover had entirely recovered 
from his collapse and finished strong. — 
Dec. 12, 1920. 



422 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




ACTIVITIES AMONG THE BOY AND GIRL SCOUTS OF ROME. 

A well-kept Boy Scout tent; Frank Holbrook's Steamer "Annie H."; Scout leaders and 
Rome troops ready for a hike; Scouts competing at Hamilton Field; Eagle Troop of Girl 
Scouts on steps of Carnegie Library. The same natural beauties and advantages that at- 
tracted the Indians of "Cherokee Georgia" now make scouting a fruitful pastime. 



Miscellaneous — Scout Section 



423 



SCOUT WORK BOOMING— In mak- 
ing my 1920 and first report to the 
Cherokee Council I heg to submit the 
following: Upon our arrival Sept. 15, 
to take charge of the work of the Boy 
Scouts in Floyd county under the Cher- 
okee Council, we found four regularly 
organized troops with 85 registered 
scouts. Troop No. 4, which had previ- 
)usly been registered, had disbanded 
iuring the summer because the scout- 
master moved from the city. This troup, 
however, had only six registered scouts. 

Seven new troops have been organiz- 
ed, and seven scoutmasters and four 
assistant scoutmasters have been com- 
missioned as leaders of these new 
troops. The total number of additional 
scouts that have been registered, includ- 
ing leaders, is 161. Only four scouts 
have dropped out of scouting since Sept. 
15, which leaves a total of 250 regis- 
tered leaders and scouts now under the 
council. 

The following are the troops regis- 
tered in Floyd county: 

Old Troops: Lindale, No. 1, Rev. G. 
W. Ridley, scoutmaster; Rome, No. 1, 
Rev. W. M. Barnett, scoutmaster, W. 
F. Hosteller, assistant; No. 2, Ed L. 
King, scoutmaster, H. L. Lanham, as- 
sistant; No. 3, W. J. Marshall, scout- 
master, Marion Cole, assistant. 

New Troops: Rome, No. 4, Dr. Carl 
Betts, scoutmaster, Percy Landers, as- 
sistant; No. 5, Gordon Ezzell, scout- 
master; No. 6, Rev. H. F. Joyner, scout- 
master; No. 7, R. B. Combs, scoutmas- 
ter, J. C. Henson, assistant; No. 8, Wm. 
J. Carey, scoutmaster; No. 9, A. L. 
Stein, scoutmaster, Philip Friedman, 
assistant; No. 10, A. C. Taylor, scout- 
master, C. A. Townes, assistant. 

The council is very fortunate in be- 
ing able to secure the splendid men who 
are now the leaders of these troops. 
There is being conducted a Scout Lead- 
ers' Training Course at scout head- 
quarters every Monday night for the 
benefit of the troop leaders and others 
who desire to know the scout program. 

A total of 184 scouts registered and 
were on duty during the Noith Georgia 
Fair which was held at the fair gfrounds 
Oct. 11-16; 40 first aid cases were taken 
care of by the scouts; 20 lost children 
were found. The scouts acted as mes- 
sengers, assisted the police to handle 
the crowds at the races and at the fire- 
works at night, acted as ushers at the 
grandstand, and helped to inflate the 
balloon each day for the ascension. At 
the request of the government officials 
at Washington a squad of scouts were 



on duty at the United States Agricul- 
tural Building every day. During the 
six days' work the scouts did hundreds 
of good turns and in every task as- 
signed to them they lived up to the 
scout motto: "Be Prepared." 

Fifteen scouts were on duty one day 
putting up Red Cross posters; 80 scouts 
reported on Armistice Day to take part 
in the exercises conducted by the Amer- 
ican Legion; 20 scouts distributed liter- 
ature advertising the sale of the Red 
Cross Christmas stamps; 18 scouts as- 
sisted at the Christmas tree given for 
the poor children at the Auditorium on 
Christmas Eve. A number of scouts 
worked several days gathering bundles 
of clothing for the poor, to be dis- 
tributed by the Red Cross. 

The scouts under the Cherokee 
Council have never failed to respond to 
the call for service, and always stand 
ready to be of assistance to the city or 
community. 

On Dec. 11, 85 scouts under the lead- 
ership of Commissioner W. M. Barnett, 
Scoutmaster Rev. H. F. Joyner, and the 
Scout Executive, went on an all day 
hike to Black's Bluff and spent the day 
in scouting. This council is highly 
favored with being in the midst of such 
a wonderful country for scouting. With 
headquarters at Rome — Rome the beau- 
tiful — beautiful for situation, with her 
glorious sunsets, her majestic rivers 
winding their way through her borders 
as they hasten on their journey toward 
the sea, her surrounding green clad hills 
and mountains with their hundreds of 
sparkling brooks and gushing springs 
— all seem to have been designed by the 
Great Master Builder of the universe as 
an ideal place for our boys to go out 
and come in touch with the great out-of- 
doors and learn lessons that they cannot 
obtain from books. The scouts under 
this council are taking advantage of 
these opportunities and every troop has 
taken an average of one hike each 
month, either all night, all day or af- 
ternoon, in open air scouting. — Jan. 9, 
1921. 



HOW TO BE MEN— One of the most 
powerful talks ever heard in Rome on 
Ijoy culture was delivered Tuesday night 
to an audience of 500 at the Auditorium 
by Prof. W. A. Sutton, principal of the 
Tech High School and Atlanta Scout 
Commissioner, and Prof. Sutton imme- 
diately received an invitation from G. 
E. Bennett, local scout executive, the 
Rev. H. F. Saumenig, who introduced 
him, and Robt. W. Graves, who also 
sat on the stage, to come back again in 
the near future. 



424 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




WATER SPORTS ON LABOR DAY, SEPT. 5, 1921 

At top is Rex Culpepper's "Nell" passing under Second Avenue bridge, and bottom, Fred 
Hoffman's "A. M. L." winning race. In lower center, Ed. King's Boy Scout barge "Sequoyah" 
making knots. Lower center, right, the Daniel boat underway. Scouts and others are else- 
where seen in characteristic attitudes. 



Miscellaneous — Scout Section 



425 



Prof. Sutton's talk followed one he 
had made a few hours before at a lunch- 
eon tendered him by the Rome Kiwanis 
Club at the Hotel Forrest, in which his 
points were very much the same. He 
gave seven stages in the making of a 
man, saying that some boys pass 
through all and make great men, but 
that some people who pass for men 
never pass through any. 

To the fathers he said they should 
know their Boy Scout sons, go on hikes 
with them and advise them throughout. 
"Two things are necessary to getting 
along with boys," he declared. "One is 
honesty and sincerity and the other is 
a sense of humor." 

Mr. Sutton told the boys to keep 
their bodies clean, to have reverence and 
respect for their elders, to be industri- 
ous, to be mentally alert, to be helpful 
to other people, to do their best at every 
try, to love their Creator, and never to 
give up. 

"When a good thought comes into 
your head, write it down, boys. Some 
people who don't know any better will 
say you are crazy. Pay no attention to 
them. Make something out of yourself 
if you die in the attempt. An English 
boy named Thomas Watt watched his 
mother's tea-kettle boiling. The top 
danced around when the steam lifted it. 
He poured a little cold water in, and 
the dancing stopped. Then he wrote in 
his note book, 'There is something in 
hot water that is not in cold.* Later he 
made the steam engine. 

"Thomas A. Edison was a profiteer 
in the Civil war. He bought newspa- 
pers telling of the Battle of Gettysburg 
for ten cents and sold them for $5. 
From the boat that took him across the 
bay with his papers he would yell to 
the waiting people, 'I'm coming!' and 
his voice came back to him in an echo. 
He wrote in his badly-worn note book, 
'There is something in the curvature of 
the earth that causes the human voice 
to rebound.' Years later he perfected 
the phonograph. 

"When the Wright boys of Toledo 
saw a buzzard fly through the sky, they 
asked why human beings with more in- 
telligence than buzzards could not do 
the same. 'Let's fly' suggested Wilbur. 
'All right.' agreed Orville. Their father 
mortgaged his farm so the boys could 
build a model. People of narrow vis- 
ion said all of them were crazy. The 
boys wrote the government at Wash- 
ington that they would like to give their 
device to their country, and the govern- 
ment wrote back that it didn't have 
time to bother with any more foolish 



schemes. The letters are on file in 
Washington today. 

"A man propounded the theory that 
the bite of the mosquito stegomyia fas- 
ciata caused yellow fever. He went to 
Cuba, let this type of mosquito bite him, 
and died, but his death caused millions 
to be saved. Needn't be afraid to die, 
boys, if you can give something like that 
to the world. Dare to do, boys. Don't 
be balked by petty objections from peo- 
ple too small to appreciate big things. 
Money does not make manhood. If a 
boy is good-looking and his father has 
money, he's got a poor chance to suc- 
ceed." 

Mr. Sutton declared he enjoyed see- 
ing a little boy draw his biceps up into 
a hard knot and feel it to see if his 
muscles were growing. "That boy 
wants to develop and make himself into 
a man," asserted the speaker. "I believe 
in occasional fist fights to develop boys, 
but not as an every-day diversion. Where 
boys hold grudges against each other 
the best way for them to forget it is to 
pummel each other and shake hands. 
If you develop the physical you may 
never have to use it, but you are always 
prepared for a bully or one who wants 
to take advantage of you. If you are a 
good Scout you will never need to smoke 
cigarettes or drink whiskey or otherwise 
tear down your health. Keep yourself 
clean. Be a man." 

The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were 
entertained in this f asion for more than 
an hour, and their enjoyment was at- 
tested by the heartiness in their hand- 
claps, for they cheered Prof. Sutton a 
full minute when he concluded. Prof. 
Sutton complimented the youthful mu- 
sicians in the orchestra and said Rome 
is an ideal location for scouting. 

The Pine Tree Patrol of Scouts went 
through a drill in the scout creed, con- 
sisting of a repetition of scout lines 
and the lighting of candles on a pre- 
paredness design by each scout on the 
stage.— Feb. 9, 1921. 

TWO "WILD CATS" TAMED— 
Scout Executive G. E. Bennett told to- 
day of how he and a small group of 
Boy Scouts, including a visitor from 
Washington. D. C, Friday captured two 
gray cats which had been penned up in 
a house on West Fifth street. Fourth 
Ward, without food or water during the 
freshet. 

"The house dweller had gone into 
town with his wife and eight-days-old 
baby and left the cats penned up," 
stated Mr. Bennett. "Man, they were 
wild. We had to catch them and they 
fought hard for nearly half an hour, 



426 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 







INDIAN CANOES GIVE WAY TO CHUGGING MOTOR BOATS. 

A wag once remarked that if Atlanta had the Coosa at Five Points she would anchor a 
battleship there in a fortnight. Romans prefer smaller craft. 1 — School girls ready for a motor 
boat ride. 2 and 7 — Girl Scouts. 3, 4, 5 and 6 — Boy Scout, "flagship" of "Snake-Doctor Fleet." 
8 — Holmes Smith's boat. 9 and 10 — Annie H. 11 — Steamer Cherokee of Rome. 



Miscellaneous — Scout Section 



427 



dashing desperately up the sides of the 
house, jumping and running into bureau 
drawers. Two fingers of a glove I was 
wearing were torn off and a rent made 
in the palm of the other." 

After the cats had been caught they 
were taken to high land and left with 
a neighbor of the owner, who fed them 
and gave them drink. — Felo. 14, 1921. 



TWENTY-FOUR ENJOY TRIP— 
Fifteen Boy and Girl Scouts and nine 
others went on a trip up the Oostanaula 
river on Capt. Frank Holbrook's 
"steamer" Annie H, and returned at 
7:50 o'clock last night. They all had a 
good time and no mishaps. 

The boat left the Second avenue 
bridge at 3:30 p. m., half an hour after 
the sailing time, and arived at Whit- 
more's Bluff at 5:30 p. m. As the even- 
ing shadows were near, only half an 
hour was spent ashore, and this was 
taken up exploring the rocky bluff and 
eating picnic lunch. At 6 o'clock the 
little steamer shoved off for town un- 
der a canopy of stars and beams from 
a half moon that shone brightly on the 
water. Singing and guitar music kept 
the crowd lively going back. 

On the way up, a motor boat man in 
the "Emmagene H." ran ahead of the 
steamer and shot several dive-dappers 
and ducks which he took ashore about 
five miles up and gave to some men 
camping on the bank. At the bluff the 
Scouts were greeted by more little boy 
"Brownies" who were camping out at 
that point. 

The hosts of the trip were James 
Maddox, E. L. Wright, head-master of 
Darlington, and Geo. M. Battey, Jr. 

The burden-bearing Boy Scouts were 
Robert Shahan, who makes fire by fric- 
tion; Joe Fickling, Alfred Spears, James 
Barton and Robert Norton. These boys 
made themselves useful about the boat 
in accordance with ship rules; carried 
the "plunder" on and off the boat and 
in many ways proved indispensable. 

Mrs. James Maddox assisted Miss 
Adelene Bowie with the Girl Scouts, 
who included Dorothy and May Morton, 
Martha Porter, Sinclair Norton, Martha 
Ledbetter, Dot Harrison. Kathrine Al- 
len Thelma Davis, Joy Shackelton and 
Florence Morgan. Other guests were 
Misses Allene Burney, Marshall Nor- 
ton, Lucie Daniel and Ethnel Morton, 
making a total of 24 on board. 

Eleven Girl Scouts got left because 
three of them had to go home for lunch- 
es and the rest waited at Curry-Arring- 
ton's corner. — Apr. 15, 1921. 



SECOND RIVER TRIP TAKEN— 
The second party of a series to points 
around Rome will shove off Thursday 
afternoon at 3 o'clock from the Fourth 
Ward side of the Second avenue (Land 
Company) bridge over the Oostanaula 
river, on the Good Ship Annie H., Frank 
Holbrook, skipper. 

As on Thursday, April 14, the desti- 
nation will be Whitmore's Bluff, about 
nine miles up, and a group of Girl and 
Boy Scouts who did not get to go the 
first time will be taken. The girls are 
mostly Mrs. Holmes Cheney's and Miss 
Amelia Berry's Eagle Troop, and Miss 
Adelene Bowie's Hawthorne Troop, and 
the burden-bearing Boy Scouts will be 
chosen from several troops. 

Names of the chaperones, the senti- 
nels and a few others will be announced 
later. 

Whitmore's Bluff is a beautiful prom- 
ontory which projects a shaggy chin 
over the winding Oostanaula. Its face 
is gray with a mass of native boulders 
which contain shelves and landing 
places. The top affords a fine view of 
the surrounding terrain. 

At the base of the rocks is Mitchell's 
cave, from which issues in gay little 
cascades the purest spring water. 

Daniel R. Mitchell, who named Rome, 
had a plantation of 2,500 acres on the 
Oostanaula. Whitmore's Bluff was part 
of it. In 1863, when the Civil War was 
at its fiercest, he was offered $60,000 
in gold or $80,000 in Confederate money 
for it. The fortunes of the Confederacy 
were never higher. He took the Con- 
federate money. In another year his 
money was almost without value. Sea- 
born and Barry Wright now own Whit- 
more's Bluff and they have built an at- 
tractive cottage on it. 

Other sights to see on this river are 
the "Chieftain's" the home of Major 
Ridge, Cherokee Indian chief, two rniles 
up, and the mouths of Big and Little 
Dry creeks. 

An hour and a half each way on the 
Annie H. is required, which gives the 
"Brownies" about an hour to scout and 
enjoy lunch on land, in order to be 
back in Rome before 8 o'clock. 

Guitar and ukulele music and singing 
will again be a feature, provided the 
weather man is kind. — Apr. 25, 1921. 



THIRD TRIP ON RIVER— The third 
of a series of trips on the rivers in 
Frank Holbrook's Annie H. was taken 
Monday afternoon by a group of Boy 
and Girl Scouts as the guests of E. L. 
Wright, headmaster of Darlington 



428 A History of Rome and Floyd County 











"^-r.^ 




















J^^^^^ 



jt.JD^^o^ ^,P&.^^^ 



AUTOGRAPHS OF ROMANS, MOSTLY OF THE PERIOD AROUND 1870.*71— I. 



Miscellaneous — Scout Section 



429 




WHERE THE BEAUTIFUL OOSTANAULA RIVER ENTERS ROME. 

Upper Broad Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, about 1905: Extreme left, Bos- 
worth Block; left center, Martha Battey Hospital; house with white roof, old Wood home, 
where Henry W. Grady once lived. 



School, and Geo. M. Battey, Jr. Mrs. 
Holmes Cheney chaperoned. 

The party went to Black's Bluff, and 
on account of the close proximity of 
that point did not start until 3:56 p. m. ; 
they landed at the Bluff at 4:45 p. m. 
and left at 6:30 for Rome, arriving at 
7 p. m. The party spread lunch about 
100 yards above the bank and a spring, 
and after feasting went back to the 
boat and had music and songs. No ac- 
cidents occurred. 

The following others attended : Misses 
Tot Moultrie, Mildred Wilkerson, Mary 
J. Doyal, Ruth Maddox, Annette Stroud 
and Leila Hill Newsom, of the Haw- 
thorne Troop of Girl Scouts; Elizabeth 
McRae, Elizabeth Ward, Elizabeth Lips- 
comb, Helen McLeod and Maynor Mc- 
Williams, of the Eagle Troop of Girl 
Scouts; Miss Virginia Dixon, of Birm- 
ingham; and the following Boy Scouts: 
William and Lester Harbin, John W. 
Quarles, Jr., Riley McKoy, Otis Par- 
sons, Benj. Archer, Ben Grafton and 
Benj. Cothran.— May 18, 1921. 



SCOUTS TO COLLECT FOR POOR 
— The Boy Scouts have another call for 
service on Wednesday. The committee 
that has charge of gathering the bun- 
dles for the poor of the city has asked 
the scouts to go with the automobile 
trucks and assist in the work of bring- 
ing the bundles of clothing to the Red 
Cross headquarters. All scouts that 
can assist in this work will report at 
scout headquarters Tuesday at 10 
o'clock to receive instructions regarding 
the work and where to meet Wednes- 
day and territory which they are to 
cover. 

North Rome is to have a new troop 



to register before the first of the year. 
Troop No. 5, of which the Rev. Gordon 
Ezzell is scoutmaster, is full with 32 
scouts, and a new troop is forming. 

All scouts that have not registered 
in troops 1 and 2 and Lindale will reg- 
ister at headquarters before the first 
of the year in order to get the benefit 
of the special price of 25 cents each 
for 1921 membership. 

The Boy Scouts of Rome had an oppor- 
tunity last Friday to prove their worth 
when called upon by the committee that 
had charge of the Christmas tree for the 
poor at the Auditorium to assist in mak- 
ing the affair a success. They dis- 
tributed song sheets, acted as messen- 
gers, helped the committee pass the 
children out of the building after they 
had received their presents, located a 
number of lost children and found sev- 
eral lost articles. 

They demonstrated again that a scout 
is ready for service, and remembered 
the scout motto: "Be Prepared." The 
committee has sent them formal thanks. 
—Dec. 24, 1920. 

HIKE TO ROCKY HOLLOW— Troop 
"Lucky Seven" of the Boy Scouts, R. B. 
Combs, scoutmaster, and Jerome C. Hen- 
son, assistant, will hike out to Rocky 
Hollow, near Rotary Lake on Horseleg 
Creek, Friday afternoon. They will 
cook supper and return by the light of 
the moon. Mr. Henson will accom- 
pany them and be in charge. The boys 
will meet at 3:30 in front of Nixon's 
Hardware store on Broad. 

Several tests will be given the Scouts, 
including the preparation of supper by 



430 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



each boy, who will use only one or two 
matches and will cook quarter of a 
pound of steak and half a pound of 
Irish potatoes without the aid of cook- 
ing utensils. — Jan. 6, 1921. 

"SNAKE DOCTOR" FLEET— Scout- 
masters of the eleven Boy Scout troops 
in Rome, representing 250 boys, will 
meet Monday night at 7:30 o'clock at 
headquarters, 313^ Broad street, on 
call of Executive Geo. E. Bennett, who 
will present to them a plan whereby 
each troop may own its own boat for 
use on the rivers around Rome. 

Mr. Bennett will tell the scoutmasters 
that three motor boats can be purchased 
at a total cost of $400, which will be 
things of pleasure for a long time and 
will be useful in emergencies as they 
arise; also that this would represent a 
tax of less than $2 apiece if the 250 
Scouts paid for it out of what they 
might save or earn. 

He will suggest that each troop can 
obtain some kind of craft within two 
weeks by doing a little planning and 
work. The "flagship" of the fleet unit 
will be the motor boat already in use, 
known as the "Boy Scout," and "the three 
other motor boats would be appropri- 
ately named. The four would be allotted 
to certain troop units for certain pe- 
riods of time, and seven batteaux or 
canoes would be bought which troops 
could use when not in charge of the 
motor boats. The allotments would be 
constantly changing, so that, for in- 
stance, Scoutmaster George R. Popay's 
Troop 7 would have charge of one of 
the motor boats for a week, and for 
three weeks would take a batteau or 



canoe, and the fifth week come back to 
another motor boat. The power boats 
would tow the paddle craft often, so all 
could have fun. 

Two of the troops already have craft 
which could be substituted for that 
many boats with paddles or oars. Troop 
11 (Horace Gillespie, scoutmaster) has 
bought a batteau in the Fourth Ward, 
has painted it and is due by now to 
have shoved it in the water. Troop 2 
(Ed King, scoutmaster) will meet in 
the Fourth Ward tomorrow afternoon 
at 3 o'clock to put finishing touches on 
their house boat, work on which was in- 
terrupted by the recent week spent at 
camp at Cloudland. Mr. King says the 
boys are going to launch their house- 
boat with all kinds of salty ceremony, 
including the selection of a fair young 
lady sponsor, the reading of passages 
from the manual and a speech or so, 
and free lemonade and all the sand- 
wiches anybody could eat. 

It is unnecessary to say the "Snake 
Doctor Fleet" will take official recog- 
nition of the event and turn out in full 
array, and will sound their gongs and 
toot their whistles as the strange craft 
slips from the ways. The honor of 
pushing the house boat a piece up the 
Oostanaula will then be given one of 
the visiting host. 

Mr. King's boys have built the house 
boat entirely without help. They laid 
her keel and sides, nailed on the cross 
pieces for the bottom, poured tar pitch 
on the outside and painted her with 
tar inside. The boat's length is 22 feet 
and her width 8 feet. She will be a 
scow for a while, because Mr. King said 
the patience of the boys would be 




MODERN EXPLORERS ON THE PLACID OOSTANAULA. 



Miscellaneous — Scout Section 



431 



threadbare if he tried to put on the 
house part right away. So they are go- 
ing to slip her sidewise in the water and 
rig out some cross pieces for the 32 
Scouts to perch upon. 

Part of them will bail until the boat 
seems to stop leaking, then everybody 
will sit on the seats and yell defiantly 
at all passing craft. Presently the en- 
gine will be installed so she can kick 
along under her own power. Whether 
she will be fitted out with a propeller 
or rear wheel like a steamboat has not 
been decided. The Annie H. has a rear 
paddle wheel, and works with a motor 
forward. 

The Scouts have two months of va- 
cation left and plenty of afternoons 
thereafter, and they seem determined 
to spend a good part of it on the water. 
—July 14, 1921. 



SCOUTS LAUNCH HOUSE BOAT 
— An event in the life of the Boy Scouts 
of Rome, and particularly of Troop 2, 
Ed King, scoutmaster, will be the 
launching Wednesday afternoon at 
4:30 o'clock of the "Sequoyah," house 
boat, at a point in the Fourth Ward, 
opposite the middle distance between the 
old Seventh Avenue cemetery and the 
city pumping station. A large crowd 
of Scouts will no doubt see the "Se- 
quoyah" slide from the ways into the 
Oostanaula River, for every member in 
the county has been invited by Troop 2 
and Scout Executive Bennett, and there 
are 350 of them. The Lindale and Cave 
Spring Troops are also invited. 

A tub of free lemonade and free 
sandwiches while they last will be 
served. Troop 11, Horace Gillespie, 
scoutmaster, will probably launch its 
batteau at the same time. 

All units of the "Snake Doctor Fleet" 
are requested to get under way at 4 
o'clock for the scene of the launching. 
These include the Annie H., the Nell, 
the Katie, the Emmagene H., the Daniel 
Boat, the Boy Scout, other motor boats, 
and all the canoes and batteaux that 
can be made seaworthy by that time. 
The craft will land above the scene of 
the launching and prepare to toot their 
whistles and sound their gongs as the 
"Sequoyah" plunges in. After she is 
launched, the boys will man her and as 
many as she will hold will take a ride, 
and the other Scouts will be taken 
aboard the various craft for a grand 
parade. 

The "Sequoyah" is due to have a fair 
sponsor and a dark blue flag with white 
stars and a white anchor on it. Her 
engine will be put in after the boys 



have had their first ride in front of one 
of the motor boats. A short sketch of 
Sequoyah, who invented the Cherokee 
Indian alphabet, will be read during 
the exercises. 

The Girl Scouts and the public gen- 
erally are invited and the boys will try 
to show them how a real boat should be 
launched. 

As the fleet steams slowly up and 
down the river, past Sixth Avenue, it 
will be reviewed by city officials, and 
Jim D'Arcy, an old sailor, and "Chips" 
Berliner, the local navy recruiting 
agent, are invited to join them. The 
whole affair will probably break up in 
a swimming party on the Oostanaula. — 
July 24, 1921. 

TWO SCOUTS RIDE 50 MILES— 
Boy Scouts Julius M. Cooley, Jr., 13, 
son of Julius M. Cooley, of the Rome 
Farm Equipment Co. and resident of 5 
Butler street, and Ralph Jones, 14, son 
of H. L. Jones, traveling salesman of 
the H. B. Parks Co. and resident of 
Pennington avenue. South Rome, re- 
turned to Rome about 6:50 o'clock last 
night after a memorable quest for merit 
badges. They pedaled to Cartersville 
and back, approximately 50 miles, in 
20 minutes less than 10 hours. Both 
boys are members of Troop No. 8. 

Asked if his legs hurt like he had 
growing pains. Scout Cooley declared: 

"I'll say they do!" 

The boys were told that it was a 
good test of scout ability to make it to 
Cartersville and back starting at 9:10 
o'clock yesterday morning. That gave 
them until 7:10 last night. Neither 
had been there before, so the trip had 
an added zest. 

Julius said: 

"The roads were bad most of the way 
and we saw convicts working them near 
Cartersville. We took our lunches with 
us and ate them along the road at a 
stream, and had supper when we re- 
turned home. There were no accidents 
except that I hit a bump and fell once, 
throwing me off on my side, and Ralph's 
pedal struck me. I was not hurt but 
lost a little breath and saw a few stars. 
It was a great trip." 

The boys reported to Scout Executive 
Bennett and are due to receive their 
merit badges soon. Part of the test had 
been completed before. This consisted 
of reading a map and repairing bicycle 
punctures and taking their bicycles 
apart and putting them together again. 
—Jan. 23, 1921. 



432 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A GLIMPSE OF MOBLEY (DeSOTO) PARK AND LAKE 

The hill to the left was where Philip W. Hemphill, one of Rome's founders, built his 
home. The park property has been acquired for the Greater Darlington School, and removal 
to the site will mark a new era in that institution's career. 



GIRL SCOUTS HEAR TALK— At 

the Lindale Methodist church Sunday 
afternoon a large number of girl scouts 
with their captains and lieutenants as- 
sembled to hear Mrs. Juliette Lowe, of 
Savannah, an international figure in 
the scout movement, make an address 
on scouting. 

Mrs. Lowe, who lived for many years 
in England, told of the organization 
there of the Boy and Girl Scouts, and 
of the work of Baden Powell, who was 
so impressed by the splendid work done 
by the boys in the Boer war that he de- 
termined to train the youths of England 
in some of the minor details of war re- 
gardless of whether they were ever to 
be soldiers or sailors. 

Receiving enthusiasm and inspiration 
from Mr. Powell, who is a warm person- 
al friend of hers, Mrs. Lowe started 
work with a band of seven girls who 
lived near her home up in the Scotland 
hills, and with the assistance of some 
work with a band of seven girls who 
taught signalling, cooking, sewing, tak- 



ing care of the sick and other things es- 
sential to making them strong and capa- 
ble women. Now there are 80,000 Girl 
Scouts in America alone. 

Mrs. Lowe went into detail about 
scouting. She told what was required 
before a girl could become a citizen 
scout; the motto being "Be Prepared." 

In closing she related a story of the 
heroism of a Polish girl whom she had 
known at an international conference 
in London, and told how the girls' train- 
ing as scouts had prepared them for 
the trials and undertakings of life. 

Capt. H. P. Meikleham introduced 
Mrs. Lowe with a few apt remarks, em- 
phasizing the fact that Mrs. Lowe was 
going to tell her audience (which con- 
sisted almost entirely of Girl Scouts) 
how to be real girls and appreciate 
natural things. 

Mrs. Lowe left on an afternoon train 
for Atlanta. While in Lindale she was 
Miss Helen Marshall's guest. — Jan. 24, 
1922. 



Miscellaneous — Scout Section 



433 







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V^ 



AUTOGRAPHS OF ROMANS OF THE PERIOD AROUND 1870-'71 — II. 



434 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




THE OLD COURT HOUSE, ON COURT (EAST FIRST) STREET, ROME 



THE REAL FRANK L. STANTON. 
— Lucian L. Knight, state historian, 
once remarked as follows concerning- 
Stanton : 

"He is a lyrical genius. He has 
never used a typewriter, but employs 
long-hand in pencil exclusively; he 
seldom scratches out a mistake, and 
he makes no erasures. His is a brand 
of genius that is not often fclund. 
Writing with him is spontaneous; his 
thoughts are transferred to paper with- 
out the usual mental effort, and thus 
do they appear in print. They go to 
the printer in 'strings,' sheet after 
sheet pasted together. Truly, he just 
pipes his unpremeditated lay. 

"When I was handling the religious 
page of The Constitution, Stanton had 
not reached financial independence, 
and would occasionally ask me for a 
small loan. On one occasion he said, 
'Lucian, let me have some money.' 

" 'I haven't got any money,' I re- 
plied. 

" 'Knight, I want you to let me have 
some money!' 

"'Sorry, but I can't.' 

" 'Dr. Knight, you are the religious 
editor of this newspaper; for Christ's 
sake let me have some money!' 

" 'You win ; there's a pawn shop 
around the corner; take my grand- 
father's watch and soak it!'" 



AN ODD APPEAL.— In the race 
for mayor for the term of 1882 were 
three candidates: Jas. G. Dailey, who 
was elected; Wm. W. Seay and J. F. 
Harbour. The two first named beat 
the bushes in stump speeches, but Mr. 
Harbour, being short of oratorical thun- 
der, contented himself with a card in 
the local newspaper which ended: 

"I hope you will Seay your way 
Dailey through the Harbour of safety." 



QUICK WITS IN COURT.— Inter- 
esting situations are always aris- 
ing in the present as the members 
of the Rome bar gather in Judge Moses 
Wright's Superior Court. Judge 
Wright's charges to the juries, his fine 
sense of humor and of fairness fur- 
nish a considerable part of this inter- 
est, and then occasionally an attorney 
is called upon to furnish it. 

Several days ago Attorneys Frank 
Copeland and W. B. Mebane found 
themselves on opposite sides of a case. 

"Hold up your right hand," com- 
manded Mr. Mebane to a witness. 

"The witness has ah-eady been 
sworn," interposed Mr. Copeland. 

"Take it down!" snapped Mr. Meb- 
ane before the witness could realize 
what was going on. — Jan. 26, 1921. 



Miscellaneous — Scout Section 



435 








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436 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

BILL OF SALE FOR SLAVES 
Georgia, Floyd County: Know all men by these presents that I, Philip W. 
Hemphill, of the county and state aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sum 
of $4,000 to me in hand paid by James Hemphill, of the same place, receipt of which 
I do hereby acknowledge, have granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents 
do grant, bargain and sell unto the said James Hemphill, his heirs and assigns, the 
following property, to wit: Lucy, a woman 60 years old. Bill, a man, 65, Penny, 
a woman, 60, Terril, a boy, 13, William, a boy, 11, Margaret, a girl. 8, Myrum, a 
girl, 9, Berryman, a boy, 7, Penny, a girl, 7, Elvira, a woman, 18, and child at the 
breast, Catharine, a girl, 8, Emily, a girl, 12, Arena, a girl, 10, Lena, a girl, 8, 
Evilene, a girl, 12, Tana, a girl, 6, Madison, a boy, 7, Jane, a girl, 13, Tony, a 
boy, 7, Martha, a girl, 2 years old. 

To have and to hold the aforesaid bargained property, to him the said James 
Hemphill, his heirs and assigns, forever. And I, the said Philip W. Hemphill, for 
myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, all and singular, the said bar- 
gained property unto the said James Hemphill, his heirs and assigns, against me 
and my said executors and administrators and against all and every other person 
and persons claiming under me, shall and will warrant and defend by their presents. 

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12th day of 
October, one thousand, eight hundred and forty-six (1846). 

P. W. Hemphill. 
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of 

John B. Hemphill, ivitness, and Chas. Smith, justice of the peace. 



STORY OF A FROLICSOME TORNADO 

{From the Rome News, Sunday, April 17, 1921.) 

(By George Magruder Battey, Jr.) 

A frolicsome tornado supposed to have been an offshoot of a cyclone starting in 
Kentucky bounded through the downtown business section of Rome yesterday (Sat- 
urday, April 16, 1921), at approximately 11:45 a. m., and left a trail of destruc- 
tion 500 feet wide behind. The start of it was traced as far down the Coosa as a 
point between Mt. Alto and Black's Bluff, where it left the stream and swept 
across a stretch of green bottom land in a generally northeastern direction. 

The tornado fell like a blight upon a quiet negro settlement in the boundaries 
of Cherokee street, Branham avenue (south) and Pennington avenue, and turned 
a square block into heaps of brick and loose timbers and snapping trees. Small 
frame houses that had stood compactly a few minutes before were reduced to piles 
like jackstraws. Across a ridge studded with stately pine trees the brusque charger 
raced at 80 miles an hour, breaking pines and poplars in half and bowling over oaks 
and hickories as their roots snapped under the strain. 

Through Myrtle Hill cemetery this first time visitor sped, irreverently upset 
tombstones and crushed a pavilion into kindling wood; skirted the brow of the hill, 
swung its tail over the summit of the Confederate monument and swooped like a 
hungry hawk over the Etowah and down upon peaceful, unsuspecting Rome. 

Buildings trembled and struggled in the grip of this unshorn young monster, 
then gave up parts of themselves, like brick and moi'tar, tin roofs, chimneys and 
contents, — anything to be free of his cave-like grip. He hurried on without apolo- 
gies; knocked down the electrical contraptions raised by man on high poles, 
smashed windows with the care-free demeanor of a spend-thrift, shoved a cornice 
off a store to the main street without caring whether it hit anybody on the head or 
not; blew young ladies' dresses and tresses in a shocking manner; sent dogs, 
chickens and birds scurrying to places of safety, even as men ; and disappeared 
with a defiant gesture and a mocking laugh. 

The tornado paralelled the Oostanaula river northward up West First street, 
then executed a right-angle zag and dealt a right uppercut again to the things of 
the land. Past Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth avenues he leaped, with 
always the same tale, — a roof lifted off here, a sheet of tin sent smashing through 
a plate glass window there, a tree sent crashing against a house, a house sat upon 
until its timbers groaned and gave way. 

Near the foot of West First street three mules were killed under electric wires 
and walls of brick, and their owner was injured; at the jail a lad was hurt, in 
North Rome a house was blown a mile, scattering five children and a woman along 
the way. 



Miscellaneous — Two Playful Windstorms 



437 




SPOTS WHICH DARED TO RESIST THE TORNADO. 

The windstorm of Saturday, April 16, 1921, served as a stern reminder of the insignificance 
of man and hU elrfhly shrines Pictures 1, 2 and 6 show Myrtle Hill trees snapped off 
like broom straws. 5 and 7 West Second Street damage. 3— Tree against a house on 
Seventh Avenue. 4 — A sugarberry at the News office which nearly hit a horse and a man. 



438 A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Then the tornado was lost to view. He had been introduced to Romans most 
forcibly. Maybe he went where he came from. He was not a very welcome 
guest. Details of his pranks are to be found elsewhere herein. 

A hard rain fell soon after the tornado had passed, and continued for several 
hours. It held up a while, but let in again before midnight. Woodmen and other 
workers took their axes and set to work repairing the damage, and said some un- 
kind things about frolicsome gusts of wind. 

Rome's pet tornado had certainly not behaved like Oliver Herford's "Bashful 
Earthquake." 



Toryiadoes are exciting phenomena aiid always comtnit freakish 
and weird acts as well as tragic and frightening, hi the folloiving 
runniyig story are told incidents as they were heard and discovered by 
The News during Saturday afternoon: 
The worst damage in Rome was in the area bounded by Eighth avenue, the 
Oostanaula river, head of Coosa and Broad street. Moving toward North Rome, 
the tornado in this area first struck the rear of the old Hamilton block, occupied by 
Stamps & Co., and took it off, a lot of brick falling and helping to demolish a shed 
in the rear of the place. It swept through West First street between the rears of 
the second Broad street block of wholesale grocery concerns and the Curry-Arring- 
ton warehouse, caroming off the rear of the Rome Mercantile Co. and throwing a 
shower of brick and timbers into the street on a group of a dozen or more mules 
and wagons parked there by farmers, and carrying down three poles full of heavily- 
charged electric wires. One of the wires fell across the back of a small gray mule 
and killed it instantly, while the brick which fell from the rear of the Rome Mer- 
cantile Co. buried a pair of mules driven to a wagon by Mose Middleton, a Black's 
Bluff Road farmer. One of the mules was killed instantly and one was hurt and 
it was thought it would have to be shot. Mr. Middleton was slightly injured. He 
heard the storm had swept his home neighborhood, and went down to see. 

The electric current was immediately cut off by the Rome Railway & Light Co., 
thus reducing the danger of broken and depending wires. Police and firemen, the 
Boy Scouts, American Legion and citizen volunteers rendered first aid and went 
on duty informally where needed. Linemen and other electrical workers went to 
work with a vim to relieve the city from the predicament of no electric power or 
lights, all having been cut off in the city except the trolley car current. Candles 
and lamps were used pretty freely for illuminating purposes. The gas plant on 
West First street, by the way, escaped any damage from the tornado, but an ad- 
joining building had the roof taken off. 

After a few hours most of the lights were switched on again, but throughout 
the night the downtown area of devastation was dotted only with red danger 
lights. The white way lights on the Oostanaula side of Broad street were dark, 
and the two picture shows and business establishments in that row did not at- 
tempt to keep open last night. 

Part of the roof of the Rome Manufacturing company on Second avenue was 
lifted and the rain began to pour in, so a lot of goods were moved to a warehouse 
at the rear of the First National Bank building. Although the wind sliced off a 
layer of brick from the Arrington-Buick building aci'oss the street, it bowed before 
the tall First National structure and swept over the Rome Manufacturing Com- 
pany, where it also sent down a shower of brick. 

The McWilliams Feed and Grocery Co. sign was doubled up at Third avenue 
and West First street, and one screen door opening outward was torn from its 
hinges and another partly unhinged. A hogshead was blown from a platform to 
the middle of the street. A lot of tin was ripped from warehouses in this neigh- 
borhood and sent whirling and whistling toward the courthouse. A tin ice can of 
the Atlantic Ice & Coal Corporation was blown 50 feet to Fourth avenue. 

At the Wyatt Book Store a plate glass over the show or display windows was 
blown out, three show cases were broken and the picture rack was demolished. 

A pair of penny weighing scales was torn up in front of the Strand movie 
theatre and a traffic sign at Broad and Third avenue was blown over. 

The following sustained broken plate glass windows : Bartlett Automotive 
Equipment Co., Gammon's, G. H. Hays, the McDonald Furniture Co., O. Willing- 
ham and several of the fronts of the wholesale houses on the west side of Broad 
street between First and Second avenues. 



Miscellaneous — Two Playful Windstorms 439 




BROAD STREET BY NIGHT, CARPETED IN 3 INCHES OF SNOW, JAN. 27, 1921. 



Many small windows, awnings and signs were caught and broken down. Trees 
were blown down in the yards of Wade Hoyt, 603 West First street; 600 Broad 
street, corner of Sixth avenue; J. W. Bryson, 10 Seventh avenue, the old W. M. 
Towers place (large tree against center of house) ; the old Underwood cottage, 
across West First street from the Bryson home (large tree took off corner and 
rested against house) ; the cottage of Miss Julia Omberg, next door to the Lanham 
place on West First street; the home between the Wade Hoyt place and the Oostan- 
aula river. Limbs were strewn over the yard of Ed Maddox at Bi'oad and Seventh 
avenue, and across Fifth avenue back of the Hotel Forrest. 

A large sugar berry tree at the corner of The Rome News office blew toward 
the building, narrowly missing P. J. Fulcher, a farmer living on the Central Grove 
road beyond the Berry Schools, and demolishing a Ford automobile owned by F. 
C. Bennett, of 13 Fourth avenue, and the Fulcher buggy. Mr. Fulcher had just 
taken his horse out of the vehicle. A falling wire burnt him slightly on the right 
hand. An American Railway Express Co. delivery wagon was passing at Fourth 
avenue and West First when the tree crashed down. The wind blew the wagon 
over on its side and threw out the driver, Geo. W. Turner, and a lot of large empty 
pasteboard cartons, one of which was blown into the hole left by the tree roots. 
The horse ran away down Broad street, probably to the express company stable. 

Parts of two chimneys were blown off The News building into an alley near 
the Oostanaula river. 

The tornado swept up the Oostanaula, raising the water about 12 feet, accord- 
ing to two men who were sitting on the end of a platform of the Atlantic Ice & 
Coal Corporation plant, on Fourth avenue and the river. The tail of the thing 
swept within 35 feet of them, snapping off several limbs and curving in front of 
the Rome Laundry Company across the street and carrying a shower of roof tin 
with it, after which it hit the tree at The News corner. Then it twisted to the 
left of the courthouse and stripped enough tin off the Davis Foundry & Machine Co. 
to smash a plate glass window or so of the Dodge Automobile agency at Fifth 
avenue and West First street. 

It tore tin off the city stables on West First, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. 
Lawrence Wilson, Boy Scout, son of Sheriff Robt. E. Wilson, was sitting in his 
father's apartments at the Floyd county jail at that point and was slamming down 
a window when tin or timber crashed into the window pane and cut his left arm 
in several places. He was attended by Dr. J. Turner McCall. 

After laying low a lot of trees on West First street, as told above, the tornado 
swept toward Eighth avenue, to the home of Louis A. Dempsey, at 713, where 
a tree was uprooted and two rooms of the house damaged. Five larq-p frop<! in the 
Robt. W. Graves yard, 110 Eighth avenue, were blown down, and Robt. W. Graves, 
Jr., amateur weather prognosticator, lost a rain gauge. A corn crib and mule barn 
of the Graves-Harper Co. at West Second street and Eighth avenue were demol- 



440 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



ished. A large tree blew down between the home of Wm. E. Fuller, 104 West 
Eighth avenue, and that of A. S. Burney. 

Thence the wind blew through North Rome. Will Akridge, who owns a place 
about two miles north of North Rome, phoned The News that the tornado hit one 
of his tenant houses, occupied by Alvin Gilliam, and that the five small Gilliam 
children narrowly escaped death. Some were free, others caught under flying 
timbers and none hurt beyond a bad shaking up. They were gathered up and 
Taken to the home of a neighbor nearby. Mrs. Henry Gilliam was hit in the head 
by a flying timber and painfully hurt. She was attended by Dr. Henry A. Turner, 
of Rome. A baby three months old was uninjured. 

On Jim Stewart's place on the road leading over to the Oostanaula river, con- 
tinued Mr. Akridge, the one-story frame cottage occupied by W. H. Sims, had only 
two rooms left after the twister had passed. The front and back porches, kitchen 
and two chimneys were blown away. It seemed like a thousand trees had been 
blown down, he said. 

While Mr. Akridge was talking, a flash of lightning hit the telephone wire. 
"Did you see that lightning?" he asked. "Let's get away from here!" 

The tornado was traced westward below Rome to a point on the Coosa river 
between Black's Bluff" and Mt. Alto. It skipped across the valley land northwest 




A TALL SENTINEL ON A LOFTY HILL 

Rome's historic clock tower, built in 1871 by John W. Noble. Prior to erection of the 
plant on Fort Jackson it supplied the city with water. 



Miscellaneous — Two Playful Windstorms 441 

of the Ab Dean farm and tore a path through clumps of woods to the neighbor- 
hood of Cherokee street and Branham avenue (South). At this point the wind 
lifted off the front of the Hugley gi'ocery store, then got into a block of negro 
one-story frame dwellings on Pennington avenue. Six houses in a row had their 
brick chimneys knocked off and one was smashed almost flat. In the house set 
down upon the ground Mattie Rogers, crippled daughter of Fletcher Rogers, the 
colored barber, was slightly hurt in the mouth. Two chickens (hens) were killed. 
Debris was scattered everywhere. Then the twister snorted up a ridge and blew 
a pine tree across a pig pen, where the pig grunted his eminent satisfaction. On 
top of this ridge was a one story frame dwelling said to be owned by Mrs. Alia 
Holmes Nunnally. The wind hugged this cottage and shook it down off its brick 
foundations to the ground. The paper roofing was banged in. 

Slivers of plaster peeled off across the street as the tornado shook a frail 
wooden house. Then the mischievous fellow visited the home of City Commis- 
sioner Ben Gann on Klasing Hill, slid his refrigerator across the back porch and 
stripped the under part of the house of its frail lattice work. Then it romped 
into Myrtle Hill cemetery, ruthlessly upsetting tombstones. The tornado uprooted 
seven large trees in Myrtle Hill and broke off two others that fell across graves, 
in addition to demolishing the pavilion near the Confederate Soldiers' sanctuary. 
A tree fell across the headstone of A. B. S. Moseley, long a newspaper editor in 
Rome. One knocked over the headstone of Mrs. T. O. Hand. Others fell across 
the Denny, Grossman, Burks, Sharp and Thos. G. Watters lots. 

City forces were put to work to clear the trees away. 

The tail of the tornado swished within half a block of the Frances Berrien 
hospital on South Broad and yanked off a limb as large as a fat man's leg, and did 
the same near the old Klasing machine shop (now the establishment of Coffin & 
Co.) Leaves and dead branches were scattered everywhere. 

Jim Hall's house was unroofed about a mile north of Rome. 

Half the roof of the Nixon Hardware Co. warehouse was blown off in the rear 
of the Broad street store and the goods had to be moved to safe quarters. 

The aftermath of Rome's romping tornado of Saturday morning at 11:45 o'clock 
found the citizens setting their houses and yards in order. Some of the houses 
were beyond hope of redemption. They had been crushed like eggshells and their 
timbers blown into near woods. 

Estimates of the total damage varied with the individual. Insurance men 
said one person's guess was as good as another's. The estimates ranged between 
$150,000 and $250,000 for the Rome district. Much of this is salvage. Trees 
blown down make good wood; they have to be cut up but don't need cutting down. 

Alvin Gilliam, farmer tenanting the Will Akridge farm two miles north of 
the Southern Co-operative Foundry in North Rome, found his razor and his wife's 
hat a mile toward the Oostanaula river from where the tornado smashed his house. 
He congratulated his wife on her "close shave." 

His mother, Mrs. Henry Gilliam, and his five children were in the house at the 
time. The wind dumped them from the floor to a side wall, then deposited them 
on the upside-down ceiling and carried the floor over their heads up the hillside. 
In the ceiling was a trap door two feet by three. The lid flew off as the ceiling 
went over, and two of the children, including the two-months-old baby, were thrown 
into the hole to safety, while a mass of timbers crashed down over them. Rescuers 
pulled them out shortly afterward. 

Mr. Gilliam's 18-year-old boy, formerly in the navy, went searching for his 
navy discharge papers, fearing they might have been blown to the Bureau of Navi- 
gation at Washington and he might find himself back in the outfit again. 

Houses are few and far between in this neighborhood, and not a great deal of 
damage was done. On the Akridge place, however, the tornado played some of its 
queerest tricks. It made a 180-degree cui've, pointing back toward Rome, around 
Ihe brow of a thickly wooded hill, scattering tall trees, then darted off at right 
angles to the right far enough to miss a barn and several horses. The next thing 
it hit was the Gilliam cottage of four rooms, where the elder Mrs. Gilliam was 
making dough in a pan. 

City workmen labored all day Sunday with axes and saws, removing overturned 
trees from dwellings and from across streets. Citizens wielded axes in many 
cases. Some waited until Monday, and it seemed probable that within a week few 
signs of the damage would remain, except in the case of houses badly demolished. 



442 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




ROME IN BLANKETS OF "BEAUTIFUL WHITE." 

The central photograph, showing two feet of snow on Broad Street, was taken in December, 
1887. The horse cars were abandoned and traffic generally was demoralized. This was a year 
of disasters. In March and April came the record flood, with water 40.3 feet high at Rome, 

and prior to the flood a slight earthpuake shock was felt. The other pictures were taken 

January 27, 1921. 



Miscellaneous — Two Playful Windstorms 



443 



Two or three cases were reported in which men were caught in the tornado 
and lifted off the ground or blown some distance. They all landed on their feet 
and used them. 

Steps will probably be taken by the city or patriotic organizations to replace 
the pavilion which was destroyed at the Confederate soldiers' graves in Myrtle Hill 
cemetery. Workmen started removing nine trees blown down across graves, up- 
setting several tombstones. The tornado swept across the summit and eastern face 
of Myrtle Hill and jumped over the Steamer Cherokee, lying moored at the base of 
the cemetery on the Etowah river. It then hit the lower business district. 

The gay destroyer did not spare the abandoned old Seventh avenue cemetery 
either. It twisted off several large limbs and blew them across graves. One 
landed on the tomb of George Hamilton, (1833-1854), but did not break the slab. 

Between the Seventh avenue cemetery and the Auditorium several houses were 
damaged. Five medium-sized trees were blown across West Second street north 
of Seventh avenue. 

The Graves-Harper barn near Eighth avenue and West Second was knocked 
off its concrete rat-proof foundations and thrown down the hill toward Hell's Hol- 
low, and turned upside down. It was a nice wreck. 

After blowing down several trees on Eighth avenue the tornado dived into 
Hell's Hollow. It missed the city water pumping station on Fort Jackson by at 
least 500 feet and swept over Blossom Hill, inhabited by negi'oes. Here the main 
damage was to fruit trees, which was true of other neighborhoods. 

Windows in the court house offices of Judges Moses Wright and W. J. Nunnally 
were smashed. A lot of women and children were attending a court hearing in 
Judge Wright's office, and they sought places of safety. The Judge's office was in 
the teeth of the gale, as it were, but the occupants soon got into a different position. 

Rome's commercial concerns hit by the storm quickly began to get back into 
shape. Carpenters and tinners did a land office business, and many others, in- 
cluding electrical workers, did pretty much the same. The forces of the Southern 
Bell Telephone Company and the Rome Railway & Light Company worked hard to 
restore conditions to normalcy. 

Insurance men carrying tornado policies made ready to pay up. It was a new 
experience for them to get hit. W. B. Hale, of the Hale-Brannon Co., declared his 
firm stood ready to protect Romans and if another such rumpus came, he would 
surrender the cash. The others felt the same way about it. 

As usual with tornadoes, the weather following was cold. The thermometer 
dropped down to where folks thought a freeze might greet them Monday morning. 




AN INFORMAL GARDEN OF DAYS THAT ARE PAST 

This Third avenue spot was included in "Belvidere," the home place of HoUis Cooley, 
which later became the habitation of Walker W. Brookes and Judge Waller T. Turnbull. It 
nestled at the foot of old Shorter Hill. 



444 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 
























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AUTOGRAPHS OF ROMANS OF THE PERIOD AROUND 1870-71— III. 



Miscellaneous — Two Playful Windstorms 



445 




Carnegie Library and the City Auditorium. 



but this did not come. A stiff wind most of Sunday aggravated the situation. 
Opinions seemed to be that fruit and crops would be hurt, but not seriously. 

TREMENDOUS STORM 

On Thursday, the 12th inst., at one o'clock, a violent storm, moving in a South- 
erly direction, passed over this place, carrying with it dense, black clouds of dust, 
leaves, branches of trees, and all sorts of light trash, and doing very considerable 
damage in its course. The bands of ^olus seemed to have been loosed and verily 
"the winds did blow and crack their cheeks." 

The following damages by the storm have come to our knowledge : Two freight 
cars standing on the track just north of the depot were driven down the track, by 
the force of the wind, to the foundry, where a switch being turned wrong for 
them to go farther, they were thrown from the track and one of them smashed up ; 
about one-third of the sheet iron roof of the depot on each side of the building, 
commencing on the north end, was torn off; the chimney of the store of Sloan & 
Hoopers was blown down, breaking through the roof and into the store room of 
Magnus & Wyse, just missing several persons sitting there; the chimney of the 
store occupied by W. T. Newman and owned by P. M. Sheibley was blown down 
and broke through the roof; the sky-light to Bearden's Daguerrean gallery was 
blown quite off. and the entire chimney to Wm. R. Smith's old store was blown en- 
tirely down. We hear that the tin on the whole south side of the depot at Kingston 
was blown off and carried in the arms of the storm to the hotel of Mrs. Johnson; 
the depot at Cass Station suffered the same fate, and that at Cartersville was en- 
tirely uncovered, and several other buildings injured. 

Capt. Partin, the old cotton buyer, while riding up Broad street was blown 
from his horse, and being blinded by the storm, while attempting to get into 
Harper & Butler's Hardware store, fell into the ditch and severely sprained his 
ankle. A Rev. Mr. Lowe, of the Methodist Church, traveling in a buggy, was over- 
taken by the storm on the Summerville road, some six miles from here, and seeing 
a tree about to fall on them, himself and negro boy, barely saved their lives by 
jumping from the vehicle; the falling tree killed the horse and crushed the buggy. 
Thousands of trees were twisted off, but, the ground being so very dry and hard, 
comparatively few were turned up by the roots. All through the country great 
damage has been done to fences and out-buildings. — Rome Tri-Weekly Courier, 
July 14, 1860. 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF GEORGIA 
(From Sherwood's Gazetteer, 1829) 
"Georgia is bounded on the north by Tennessee and North Carolina, on the 
northeast by South Carolina, from which it is separated by the Savannah River; 
on the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean; on the south by Florida; and on the west 
by a corner of Florida and Alabama. The line between this state and Tennessee 
begins at Nickajack, in Latitude 35 degrees. West Longitude from Washington 
City 8 degrees, 38 minutes, 45 seconds, and runs due east 110 miles within a mile 
of the corner of Habersham and Rabun counties, where it meets the North Carolina 
boundary. The line between us and North Carolina is 30 miles in length, so that 



446 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



the whole of our northern boundary, from Nickajack to Elicott's rock, at the head 
of the Chatuga, is 140 miles. From the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint 
Rivers, in Latitude 30 degrees, 42 minutes, 42 seconds, and Longitude 8 degrees, 
53 minutes, 15 seconds, to the head of the St. Mary's, the distance is 157 miles. 
Extend this line to the Atlantic, 47 more, and we have a southern boundary of 
200 miles. The Chattahoochee, in its various meanderings, forms the western 
boundary, 360 miles, to Miller's Bend, in Latitude 32 degrees, 52 minutes, IG sec- 
onds. Longitude 8 degrees, 12 minutes, 45 seconds. Here the line diverges from 
the river, and runs north 90 degrees, 26 minutes. West, to Nickajack, a distance 
of 146 miles. 

"Georgia extends from Latitude 30 degrees, 34 minutes, 26 seconds, 6 North, 
to the 35 degree; and from 3 degrees, 45 minutes, to 8 degrees, 38 minutes, 45 sec- 
onds. West Longitude from Washington City. Length from north to south, 300 
miles; breadth from east to west, 240, containing upwards of 58,000 square miles, 
equal to 37,120,000,000 acres. In shape, this state is a pentagon, having its north- 
eastern angle in Rabun, its southeastern in Chatham, its south-southeastern in 
Camden, its southwestern in Decatur, its northwestern on the summit of Rackoon 
Mountain, in the Cherokee Nation. 

"Sir Walter Raleigh is the reputed discoverer of the territory now called 
Georgia. {Historians, is that correct? — Author.) On the 9th June, 1732, a char- 
ter was obtained of George II, King of England, to plant a colony. Nov. 24, 114 
persons, with James Edward Oglethorpe as Governor of the Colony, sailed from 
Gravesend, Eng. On the loth January, 1733, they arrived at Charleston; repaired 
to Georgia, which was named after the king, and laid out Savannah in February. 
The Creek Indians, who then had possession of the country, were invited to a 
council; about 50 chiefs assembled and granted the colonists full and free liberty 
to settle their land. 

"In 1751, the colonial assembly, consisting of 16 members from the 11 dis- 
tricts, was authorized; and this body met in Savannah, 25th January. 

"In 1752, the trustees, finding the colony did not flourish under their patronage, 
I'esigned their charter; and the province was formed into a royal government in 
1754, by the appointment of John Reynolds, Governor. 

"The reigns of the British government were thrown ofl" in January, 1776. The 
provincial governor, Wright, was imprisoned, and Archibald Bullock acted as gov- 
ernor. In 1777, our constitution was formed. The separate sections of the settled 
parts of the state were denominated parishes, St. John's, St. Paul's, etc., eight in 
number; now they were called counties; and, except Liberty, received their names 
from distinguished individuals in the English Parliament, who were opposing the 
war and justifying the Americans in their manly resistance to oppressive taxation 
without representation. The constitution was revised in 1789 and 1795. 

"The sessions of our legislature were held at Savannah until 1776; then the 
body met in Augusta. Its sessions were at Savannah and Augusta, as the perilous 




THE COWS WHICH SUPPLY SHORTER COLLEGE WITH MILK. 



Miscellaneous — General Information 



447 



1 





THE OLD BROAD STREET BRIDGE OVER THE ETOWAH RIVER. 

This hooded structure was swept away in the freshet of 1886, after which a 
steel bridge was built, and finally one of concrete that is "freshet proof." 



conditions would admit, to the close of the war. Major Prince could find no account 
of any session in 1780. The governor and council were once at Ebenezer, when it 
was dangerous to remain at either of the above cities. 

"The first session at Louisville was held in the winter of 1795-6. In 1807. Mil- 
ledgeville became the seat of government, ana tne sessions of the legislature have 
ever since been held in that place. 

"By royal charter of the King of England, dated June 9, 1732, to Gen. Ogle- 
thorpe and other trustees, the lands between the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers 
were granted in trust, and in 1763, the lands between the Altamaha and St. Mary's. 
In 1739, Gen. Oglethorpe held a treaty of friendship with the Creeks, at an Indian 
town, on the west bank of the Chattahoochee, above the falls, called Coweta. 

"By a treaty held at Augusta, 1773, with the Creeks and Cherokees, the lands 
were acquired which now compose Wilkes, Lincoln, etc.; and by another treaty at 
the same place, in 1783, the land was acquired up to the mouth of the Kiowe, and 
the line followed nearly the present line between Elbert and Franklin, leaving 
Danielsville a little south; thence on west to the source of the Appalachee; and 
down this stream, the Oconee, and Altamaha, to an old line. The south part of 
this territory was, in the next year, named Washington county, and the north part 
Franklin. The treaty of Golphinton was held in 1785. Possession was obtained 
of the lands included in a line running southwest, from the forks of the Ocmulgee 
and Oconee to the south stream of St. Mary's. 

"The treaty at Shoulderbone, 1786, was not to acquire land, but to establish the 
others more permanently, and to secure the punishment of offenders. 

"In 1802, by a treaty held at Fort Wilkinson, just below Milledgeville, part of 
the lands between the Oconee and the Ocmulgee was obtained. The line began on 
the Appalachee, at the High Shoals, leaving Madison four miles east, crossing Lit- 
tle River at Lumsden's Mill; Commissioner's Creek at Rushing's Mills, and down 
Palmetto Creek to the Oconee. In 1805, at Washington City, the remainder of the 
lands between the Oconee and Ocmulgee were acquired, up to the mouth of the 
Alcovee River, the corner of Newton and Jasper counties. These lands were dis- 
tributed by lotteries since, and all acquired. 

"In 1814, Gen. Jackson having conquered the Creeks, on the Tallapoosa, made 
a treaty with them at Ft. Jackson on that river, by which the lands between the 



448 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




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AUTOGRAPHS OF ROMANS OF THE PERIOD AROUND 1870-'71— IV. 



Miscellaneous — General Information 



449 




WESLEY O. CONNOR IN HIS FAVORITE TURN-OUT 

Prof. Connor served for a long time as head of the state school for the deaf and 
dumb at Cave Spring. He was the owner of one of the most complete collections of 
Cherokee Indian relics in Georgia. 



Chattahoochee and Altamaha were acquired. This territory includes Early, Baker, 
the south part of Irwin, Appling, Ware, etc. The act to survey these lands was 
not passed until 1818. 

"In 1817, by treaty at the Cherokee agency, and by another at Ft. Laurens, 
on the Flint River, in 1818, that territory which now includes Newton, DeKalb, 
Gwinnett, Walton, most of Hall and Habersham, was acquired. In 1819, by a 
treaty at Washington, Rabun county was obtained, and the western part of Hall 
and Habersham to the Chestatee. In 1821, the lands between the Flint and the 
Ocmulgee were acquired by a treaty. The counties are Monroe, Bibb, Crawford, 
Dooly, Houston, Upson, Fayette, Pike, and Henry. 

"In 1825, those between the Flint and Chattahoochee were acquired by treaty 
at the Indian Springs. Counties — Coweta, Campbell, Carroll, Troup, etc." 



GENERAL INFORMATION. 
(Furnished by the Rome Chamber of Commerce) 

Population: Rome, 13,252 (including environs, 20,000); Floyd County, 39,000. 
Assessed tax valuations, City of Rome, $14,000,000. 
Assessed tax valuations, Floyd County, $22,500,000. 
City of Rome tax rate, $1.50 per $100; Floyd County, $1.50 per $100. 
Commission manager form of municipal government. 

Altitude, 625 feet; average annual rainfall, 52V'2 inches; average summer tem- 
perature. 70 degrees; winter, 55 degrees. 

City waterworks — 1,300,000 gallons daily capacity, 50 miles mains and pipes. 

Lowest insurance rates in State of Georgia. 

Best motorized fire department in Georgia, four companies, 

Gamewell fire alarm system; White Way lighting system. 

Eight and three-tenths miles street paving. 

Four bridges in city, costing approximately $300,000. 

Street railway system with 12 miles of trackage. 

Hydro-electric power and gas plant with 25 miles of mains and pipe. 

$250,000 Municipal Building and Auditorium, seating 2,000 people. 

Two daily newspapers — Rome News and Rome Tribune-Herald. 



450 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A NOBLE ROMAN FATHER AND HIS SIX NOBLE SONS 

1 — James Noble, Sr. 2 — William Noble. 3 — James Noble, Jr., once mayor of Anniston, 
Ala. 4 — Stephen N. Noble, superintendent of Jenifer Furnace and builder and superintendent 
of Clifton Furnaces, Ironaton, Ala. 5 — George Nob'e. 6 — Samuel Noble. 7 — John W. Noble, 
builder of Rome's clock tower in 1871 and St. Michael's and All-Angels' Episcopal Church, 
Anniston. The Nobles made cannon for the Confederacy and built the South's first native 
locomotive. Several of them left Rome to found the thriving town of Anniston. 



Miscellaneous — General Information 



451 










THE NOBLE BROTHERS' FOUNDRY & MACHINE WORKS. 

This concern manufactured the first locomotive in the South which was made 
out of native materials, and during the Civil War supplied the Confederacy with 
cannon. The plant was located at the N., C. & St. L. Railway and the foot of E. 
Third Street. It was destroyed in 1864 by Gen. Sherman and rebuilt after the 
war. The Nobles abandoned it in the eighties when they moved away to found 
Anniston. 



$300,000 Hotel General Forrest, American plan; Third Avenue and Armstrong 
Hotels, European. 

Twenty-two passenger trains daily to all parts of the country. 

Six lines of railway — Southern, main line, Montgomery and Gadsden branches; 
Central of Georgia, N.. C. & St. L., and Rome & Northern. 

Two modern, elevator equipped, office buildings. 

Head of navigation of the Coosa River. 

Seventeen churches, representing nine different denominations. 

140 miles of railroad in Floyd County. 

1,200 miles of public highways in Floyd County. 

300 miles hard surfaced road in Floyd County. 

United States Federal Court held in Rome semi-annually. 

Rotary Club — first organized in city of this size in U. S. A. 

Kiwanis Club — second organized in State. 

Best theatrical productions appear in Rome. 

First monument erected in memory of the Women of the Confederacy. 

INDUSTRIAL DATA 

Rome has 73 factories, with 5,287 employees; Rome has $7,000,000 of capital 
invested in manufacturing. 

Rome's 1920 manufactured products were valued at $16,000,000. 

Rome's factory pay rolls average normally $1,000,000 per month. 

Rome has largest furniture factory in Georgia. 

Rome has 102,016 spindles in Rome-Lindale cotton mills. 

Rome-Lindale cotton mills employ 2,500 people. 

Rome-Lindale cotton products are sold throughout world. 

Rome has the largest stove foundry in Georgia. 

Rome's four stove foundries make 110,000 stoves annually. 

Rome's two hosiery mills make nearly 9,000,000 pairs of hose annually. 

Rome's two pants factories make 725,000 pairs annually and fill large United 
States and Mexican orders; Rome's industrial machinery manufacturers sell to 
North and South American markets; Rome-made scales and trucks have world- 
wide sale; Rome Tannery tans leather for Diamond Belting Co.; Rome's two box 
factories have annual output of 780,000 boxes; Rome is the home of famous 
McKay Disc Plows. 

"MADE IN ROME" 

Rome manufacturers make the following: Plows, guano distributors, pea 
hullers and agricultural implements, steel wheelbarrows, trucks, mill supplies, 
scales, turbine water wheels, saw mills, grates, castings, hollow-ware, cotton seed 
oil and hulls, fertilizers, barrels, boxes, ordinary face and fire brick, sewer pipe, 



452 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A GROUP OF BOOSTERS FOR ROME. 

Of "live wires" the Hill City has no lack. The seven up before the camera are: 1 — 
Thos. E. Clemmons; 2 — J. D. Robards; 3 — Judge W. J. Nunnally; 4 — Prof. Paul M. Cousins; 
5 — A. A. Simonton; 6 — Rev. Geo. E. Bennett; 7 — Dr. Carl L. Betts. 



tile, cotton duck, bags, rope, hosiery, ore. cars, furniture, chairs, cornices, interior 
fittings, sash, doors and blinds, marble monuments, coke and tar, mattresses, 
belting leather, pig iron, pants, overalls, uniforms, candy, cigars, ice cream, 
buggies, wagons, fire apparatus, medicines and medicine preparations, harness, 
tinware, beverages, etc. 

MINERALS 

Found in Rome territory: Iron ore, halloysite, limestone, manganese, bauxite, 
kaolin, ochre, fire clay, building stone, potter's clay, lithographing stone, bitumi- 
nous shale, iron pyrites, mica, graphite, quartz and plumbago. 

AGRICULTURE 

College of Agriculture agents for farmers' service. 

County Farm Bureau has 260 members. 

Average cotton yield Floyd County, 20,000 bales. 

Cotton marketed in Rome annually, 57,000 bales. 

Five cotton warehouses, 17,000 bales capacity. 

Duroc hogs of Berryton farms, famous in the South. 

Dairying industry recently inaugurated profitably. 

Five live stock dealers and fifteen cotton buyers and factories' representatives. 



454 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A LEADING CITIZEN OF ROME. 

The late Wm. Melville Gammon, merchant, who did a great deal 
ot constructive work. He served for years as chairman of the Floyd 
County Board of Roads and Revenues and as first commissioner of 
the City Commission. The county's modern roads stand as a monu- 
ment to his efforts. 



FINANCIAL 

Five banks with combined resources of $8,000,000; deposits approximating 
$6,000,000. 

EDUCATION AND HEALTH 

Ninety public schools in county, six in City of Rome. 
Darlington — boys' school, enrollment of 60. 
Berry Schools for worthy boys and girls. 

Shorter College — Baptist school for girls, students from 14 States — only fire- 
proof school building in the South. 

$50,000 Carnegie Public Library, 8,000 volumes. 

Harbin Hospital, 75 beds, best in Southeast, says U. S. Public Health Service. 

Frances Berrien Hospital. 



Miscellaneous — General Information 



455 




AN OLD INDIAN CAUGHT ON THE WING. 

Wm. J. Carter, herb doctor, 98 years old in 1919, at the Confederate Veter- 
ans' Reunion in Atlanta. Dr. Carter lives in Montgomery, Ala. He was a scout 
for Forrest and knew well Wm. Smith, of Rome, great-great-grandfather of the 
two lads in the picture — Geo. Bernard Bonney (left) and Holbrook V. Bonney. 



RECREATIONAL FEATURES 

Rome Baseball Club, member Georgia State League. 
Motor boating, bathing, fishing, hunting. 
2,000 automobiles registered in Rome and Floyd County. 

Coosa Country Club, with splendid nine-hole golf course, swimming pool and 
other club equipment. 

Athletic Club with membership of 125. 
North Georgia Fair Association. 
Fraternal and social organizations. 



STATE AND COUNTY OFFICERS, FLOYD COUNTY, GA., 1896-1921. 

Election of June 6, 1896. — Legislature: J. H. Reece, Wm. H. Ennis, Jas. 
B. Nevin (Mr. Nevin named at October general election) ; Clerk of Court: W. E. 
Beysiegel; Ordinary: John P. Davis; Treasurer: James B. Hill; Tax Collector: J.J. 
Black; Tax Receiver: R. L. Foster; Coroner: F. H. Schlapbach; Surveyor: J. T. 
Moore; County Commissioners: C. N. Featherston, D. W. Simmons, W. C. Nixon, 
R. B. McArver, Geo. W. Trammell; Sheriff: J. P. McConnell. 

Election of June 6, 1898. — Legislature: J. Lindsay Johnson, W. C. Bryan, 
R. A. Denny; State Senate: R. T. Fouche; Clerk of Court: D. W. Simmons; Treas. : 
James B. Hill; Tax Collector: Vincent T. Sanford; Tax Receiver: J. N. Crozier; 
Coroner: F. H. Schlapbach; Surveyor: J. T. Moore; Sheriff: J. E. Camp. 

Election of May 18, 1900 — Legislature: John C. Foster. W. A. Knowles, Sea- 
born Wright; Clerk of Court: D. W. Simmons; Ordinary: John P. Davis; Treas- 
urer: James B. Hill; Tax Collector: Vincent T. Sanford; Tax Receiver: J. N. 
Crozier; Coroner: Lon Sudduth; Surveyor: J. T. Moore; Sheriff: J. E. Camp; 
County Commissioners: Dr. J. C. Watts, R. S. Hamrick, W. M. Gammon, Geo. 
A. Gray, Robt. D. VanDyke; Solicitor General: Moses Wright. 

Election of June 5, 1902— Legislature: Wm. H. Ennis, W. A. Knowles, Wm. S. 
McHenry; Clerk of Court: D. W. Simmons; Tax Collector: John M. Vandiver; 



456 A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A GROUP AT THE BENEDICT SCHOOL, EUHARLEE, ABOUT 1900. 



Tax Receiver: J. N. Ci-ozier; Treasurer: J. B. Hill; Surveyor: J. T. Moore; 
Coroner: Lon Sudduth; Sheriff: W. G. Dunehoo. 

Election of Apr. 20, 1904— Legislature: Seaborn Wright, G. B. Holder, C. H. 
Porter; State Senate: Wm. S. McHenry; Ordinary: John P. Davis; Solicitor 
General; Wm. H. Ennis; Clerk of Court: D. W. Simmons; Sheriff: D. O. Byars; 
Tax Receiver: Ike J. Berry; Surveyor: J. T. Moore; Coroner: John W. Miller; 
County Commissioners: J. R. Cantrell, J. C. Mull, L. A. Helms, W. N. Horton, 
D. H. Shelton. 

Election of May 3, 1906 — Legislature: Linton A. Dean, Seaborn Wright, R. L. 
Chamblee; Sheriff: Dan O. Byars; Tax Collector: John M. Vandiver; Tax Re- 
ceiver: Ike J. Berry; Coroner: John W. Miller; City Court Judge, Harper Ham- 
ilton. 

Election of June 4. 1908— Legislature: C. H. Porter, G. B. Holder, Barry 
Wright; Ordinary: John P. Davis; Solicitor General: Wm. H. Ennis; Clerk of 
Court: D. W. Simmons; Sheriff: T. Berry Broach; Tax Receiver: J. Tom Jen- 
kins; Tax Collector: John M. Vandiver; Treasurer: James B. Hill; Coroner: 
John W. Miller; County Commissioners: W. M. Gammon, Wesley O. Connor, 
J. Tom Watters; T. E. Bridges, J. R. Cantrell, W. G. Dunehoo. 

Election of Aug. 23, 1910: — State Senator: Wm. H. Ennis; Legislature: John 
C. Foster, George Anderson, Walter Harris; City Court Judge: John H. Reece; 
Sheriff: W. G. Dunehoo; Tax Receiver: J. Tom Jenkins; Treasurer: T. B. Ov^^ens; 
Coroner: John W. Miller; Tax Collector : John M. Vandiver; Clerk of Court: D. W. 
Simmons; Surveyor: R. L. Brovi^n; School Commissioner: J. C. King. 

Election of Aug. 21, 1912 — Legislature: John C. Foster, W. J. Nunnally, 
Barry Wright; Solicitor General: Wm. S. McHenry; County Commissioners: J. 
G. Pollock, C. M. Young, J. M. Yarbrough, J. Scott Davis, W. N. Horton, R. S. 
Hamrick. 

Election of Apr. 28, 1914— Legislature: John Wesley Bale, A. W. Findley, 
George Anderson; City Court Judge: W. J. Nunnally; Clerk of Court: D. W. 
Simmons; Treasurer: T. B. Ov/ens; Surveyor: R. L. Brown; Tax Collector: 
John M. Vandiver; Tax Receiver: J. Zach Salmon; Sheriff: Joe Barron; Coroner: 
John W. Miller; County Commissioners: J. G. Pollock, C. L. Conn, W. N. Horton, 
P. C. Griffin, C. M. Young, J. Scott Davis. 

Election of Apr. 6, 1916 — Ordinary: Harry Johnson; Tax Collector: John M. 
Vandiver; Tax Receiver: J. Zach Salmon; Clerk of Court: Sam, L. Graham; 
Sheriff: G. Wash Smith; Treasurer: T. B. Ov^ens; Coroner: John W. Miller; 
County School Commissioner: W. C. Rash; Solicitor City Court: J. Fred Kelly. 

Election of Sept. 12, 1916— Legislature: John W. Bale. Seaborn Wright, J. W. 
Russell; State Senate: R. A. Denny; Solicitor General Superior Court: Claude H. 
Porter; County Commissioners (unexpired term) : D. W. Simmons, H. M. Penn. 

Election of Sept. 11, 1918 — Judge Superior Court: Moses Wright; Judge City 



Miscellaneous — General Information 



457 




KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AT WALTON SHANKLIN'S FUNERAL, Sept. 2, 1921. 



Court: W. J. Nunnally; Legislature: John W. Bale, R. H. Copeland, Harper 
Hamilton. 

Election of Mar. 18, 1920— Solicitor General City Court: James Maddox; 
County Commissioners: Wm. L. Daniel and J. Dave Hanks (for city), T. C. 
Autrey, W. P. Bradfield and J. E. Camp (for county); Clerk of Commission: 
J. R. Cantrell; Tax Collector: Thos. E. Clemmons; Tax Receiver: Weldon W. 
Hawkins; Clerk of Court: Sam L. Graham; Ordinary: Harry Johnson; Sheriff: 
Robt. E. Wilson; Treasurer: W. W. Phillips. 

Note: In a special election Sept. 19, 1901, John M. Vandiver was elected 
Tax Collector to fill the unexpired term of V. T. Sanford. In the dispensary 
election of Feb. 19, 1902, the majority for the dispensary system and against the 
open saloons was 269, the vote being 1.459 for dispensary and 1,190 against. In 
the dispensary election of Apr. 19, 1904, the majority for the dispensary system 
was 1,258, the vote being 2,231 for dispensary and 973 against. 



Original names of Rome thoroughfar 
(Changes made about 1890) : 

RUNNING EAST AND WEST. 
Old Name. New Name. 

South Street First Avenue 

Howard Street Second Avenue 

Maiden Lane .Third Avenue 

Oostanaula Street Fourth Avenue 

Bridge Street Fifth Avenue 

Etowah Street Sixth Avenue 

King Street Seventh Avenue 

Lincoln or 

Lumpkin Street Eighth Avenue 

North Boundary Street. ...Ninth Avenue 

Ross Street No change 

Smith Street No change 



es. First, Second and Third Wards. 

Old Name. New Name. 

Gibson Street Gibbons Street 

Green Street West First Street 

Jail Street West Second Street 

Dwinell Street No change 

Reservoir Street No change 

Brooks Street No change 

RUNNING NORTH AND SOUTH. 

Court Street East First Street 

Alpine Street East Second Street 

Franklin Street East Third Street 

Cherokee Street East Fourth Street 

Railroad Street East Fifth Street 



Agricidtnral Fair Association (For the Cherokee Country of Georgui and 
Alabama) .—Organized July, 1869, at Rome. The first fair was held m the autumn 
of 1869 and the second Oct. 11-14, 1870, at which time the directors were: A. A. 
Jones, president; Geo. S. Black, vice-president; B. F. Jones secretary; Chas. H. 
Smith, C. W. Sproull, J. W. Turner, J. A. Stewart, W. F. Ayer J H. Dent, M. 
Dwinell, W. H. Jones, Dr. J. P. Ralls, M. H. Bunn, Wm. H. Stiles, Cicero C. 
Cleghorn. 



458 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




THE 28 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Top, left to right, Geo. Washington, John Adams, Thos. Jefferson, James Madison, James 
Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, Wm. Henry Harrison, John 
Tyler, Jas. Knox Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, 
Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, Jas. A. Garfield, 
Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Benj. Harrison, Wm. McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Wm. 
H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding. 



Miscellaneous — General Information 



459 



STATISTICS OF THE PRESIDENTS 



No. 


President 


Party 


Inaug. 


Age 


Yrs. Served 


Religion 


Death 


Age 


i 


Geo. Washington 


Fed. 


1789 


57 


7y-10m-4d 


Epis. 


12-14-1799 


67 


2 


John Adams 


Fed. 


1797 


61 


4 


Unit. 


7-4-1826 


90 


3 


Thos. Jefferson 


Rep. 


1801 


57 


8 


Liberal 


7-4-1826 


83 


4 


James Madison 


Rep. 


1809 


57 


8 


Epis. 


6-28-1836 


86 


5 


James Monroe 


Rep. 


1817 


58 


8 


Epis. 


7-4-1831 


73 


6 


Jno. Quincy Adams__ 


Rep._ 


1825 


57 


4 


Unit. 


2-23-1848 


80 


7 


Andrew Jackson 


Dem. 


1829 


61 


8 


Pres. 


6-8-1846 


78 


8 


M:artin VanBuren 


Dem. 


1837 


54 


4 


Ref. Dut. 


7-24-1862 


79 


9 


Wm. Henry Harrison 


Whig. 


1841 


68 


Im 


Epis. 


4-4-1841 


68 


10 


Jno Tyler 


IDem. 


1841 


51 


3y-llm 


Epis. 


1-17-1862 


71 


11 


Jas. K. Polk 


Dem. 


1845 


49 


4 


Pres. 


6-15-1849 


63 


12 


Zachary Taylor 


Whig. 


1849 


64 


ly-4m-5d 


Epis. 


7-9-1850 


65 


13 


Miillard Fillmore 


Whig. 


1860 


50 


2y-7m-26d 


Unit. 


3-8-1874 


74 


14 


Franklin Pierce 


Dem. 


1853 


48 


4 


Epis. 


10-8-1869 


64 


15 


James Buchanan 


Dem. 


1857 


65 


4 


Pres. 


6-1-1868 


77 


16 


Abraham Lincoln 


Rep. 


1861 


52 


4y-lm-lld 


Pres. 


4-15-1865 


56 


17 


Andrew^ Johnson 


Rep. 


1865 


56 


3y-10m-19d 


Meth. 


7-31-1876 


66 


18 


XJlysses S. Grant 


Rep. 


1869 


46 


8 


Meth. 


7-23-1885 


63 


19 


Rutherford B. Hayes 


Rep. 


1877 


54 


4 


Meth. 


1-17-1893 


70 


20 


James A. Garfield 


Rep. 


1881 


49 


6m-15d 


Disciple 


9-18-1881 


49 


21 


Chester A. Arthur 


Rep. 


1881 


50 


3y-5ml5-d 


Epis. 


11-18-1886 


56 


22 


Grover Cleveland 


Dem. 


1885 


47 


4 


Pres. 


6-24- 1908 


71 


23 


Benjamin Harrison. _ 


Rep. 


1889 


55 


4 


Pres. 


3-13-1901 


67 


24 


Grover Cleveland 


Dem. 


1893 


65 


4 


Pres. 


6-24-1908 


71 


25 


William McKinley_._ 


Rep. 


1897 


54 


4y-6m-10d 


Meth. 


9 14-1901 


58 


26 


Theodore Roosevelt _ 


Rep. 


1901 


42 


7y-5m-18d 


Ref. Dut. 


l-e-1919 


61 


27 


Wm. H. Taft 


Rep. 


1907 


51 


4 


Unit. 






28 






1913 


56 


8 


Pres. 






29 


Warren G. Harding __ 


Rep. 


1921 


56 




Bap. 















Note. — The above information was taken from the World Almanac, New 
York, N. Y. It will be noted that the total in numbers is 29. This is caused by 
the fact that Grover Cleveland's name appears in two columns. 




sterling R. COCKRILL, once of Nashville. 
Tenn., and his "shack" on the Alabama 
Road, DeSoto, where he conducts a scien- 
tific truck farm. Mr. Cockrill farmed for 
years at Carlier Springs. He is a grad- 
uate of Cornell University and a cousm of 
Helen Keller. 



460 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




SEVEN "HIGH ROLLERS" OF THE KIWANIS CLUB. 

Top, left to right, Byard F. Quigg, superintendent of the Rome Public Schools; D. A. Nolan, 
in his uniform as a member of Rome Commandery, Knights Templar; B. A. Richards; C. M. 
Strange; bottom, J. Frank McGhee, Jr., Dr. A. F. Routledge, in his World War uniform, and 
Jas. W. Bryson. 



AGRICULTURAL CENSUS REPORTS OF SURROUNDING COUNTIES 

COMPARED 

Per Cent Per Ct. Inc. Inc. in Land Per Ct. 

Increase Imp. Land and Buildings Inc. in 

Counties. No. Farms. Since 1910. Since 1910. Since 1910. Value 

Floyd 3,516 13.7 9.3 $6,799,309 143.6 

Bartow 3,091 7.6 1.8 4,485,298 94.8 

Polk 2,229 .1 None 2,814,629 94.6 

Chattooga 1.870 .9 27.3 4,069,857 159.9 

Gordon 2,736 3.0 2.1 5,186,926 148.0 

From the foregoing table, which has been tabulated by W. E. Bowers, County 
Agricultural Agent, from agricultural census reports of Floyd and adjoining 
Georgia counties, it will be seen that Floyd County leads in the number of farms 
and has made a much greater increase since 1910, with 13.7 per cent, than any 
of the other counties named, almost doubling Bartow, the nearest in gain to Floyd. 

Floyd shows a creditable increase in improved lands during the last ten years, 
having 9.3 per cent more, or a greater increase than any of the surrounding 
counties, except Chattooga, which shows a 27.3 increase. 

The increase in land and buildings since 1910 shows Floyd ranking third in 
per cent but greater in total increase, with almost seven million dollars. Chattooga 
has increased her value 159.9 per cent; Gordon comes next with 148, and Floyd 
has a 143.6 per cent increase. Bartow and Polk have about the same, with more 
than 94. 

Mr. Bowers has received about 100 reports of different Georgia counties, and 
says that anyone who is interested in the agricultural census of any of these 
counties can get the report at his office. — June 29, 1921. 



Miscellaneous — General Information 461 



FARM VALUES IN FLOYD SHOW ENORMOUS INCREASE 

The Director of the Census announces, subject to correction, the following 
preliminary fig^ires from the Census of Agriculture for Floyd County, Georgia: 

FARMS AND FARM ACREAGE FARM VALUES 

Jan. 1, Apr. 15, Increase Value of land and buildings: 

January 1, 1920 $11,535,030 

April 15, 1910 4,735,721 

Increase, 1910-20: 

Amount $ 6,799,309 

Per cent 143.6 





1920. 


1910. 


Per Ct. 


Farms 


.3,516 


3,092 


13.7 


Operated by 








White farmers.. 


.-2,704 


2,327 


16.2 


Colored farmers 


.. 812 


765 


6.1 


Operated by 








Owners and 








Managers 


.1,303 


1,151 


13.2 


Tenants 


.2,213 


1,941 


14.0 



DOMESTIC ANIMALS PRINCIPAL CROPS 

Jan. 1, Apr. 15, Acres Quantity 

1920. 1910. Harvested. Harvested. 

Farms reporting Corn 1919 36,315 520,865 bu. 

domestic animals 3,455 3,333 1909 27,291 305,431 bu. 

Animals reported: Wheat. .1919 1,579 8.522 bu. 

Horses 1.761 1,511 1909 27,291 305,431 bu. 

Mules 5,029 3,673 Hay 1919 763 5,517 bu. 

Cattle 9,673 8,907 1909 6,707 6,216 tons 

Sheep 417 1,053 Cotton. .1919 51,523 23,474 bales 

Swine 9,281 6,961 1909 38,150 13,955 bales 

Goats 317 781 

The figures for domestic animals in 1910 are not very closely comparable with 

those for 1920, since the present census was taken in January, before the breeding 
season had begun, while the 1910 census was taken in April, or about the middle of 

the breeding season, and included many spring calves, colts, etc. — June 28, 1921. 



FLOYD COUNTY POPULATION TABLE. 

A population table sent to John Camp Davis, of Floyd's delegation in the House 
of Representatives, by Senator Wm. J. Harris at Washington, shows some inter- 
esting facts touching the State, Floyd County and Rome. In 1790 Georgia's pop- 
ulation was 82,548, and in 1920 2,895,832, an increase of 286,711 people over the 
1910 census, or 11 per cent. The increase for the United States was 14.9 per 
cent. There are 13,252 people living in Floyd County towns and 26,589 in the 
country; in 1910 there were 12,099 in the towns and 24,637 in the country; and in 
1900 there were 7,291 in the towns and 25,822 in the country. 

The table shows that Rome gained 115 people in 1920 over 1900: 

Floyd County 1920. 1910. 1900. 

Cave Spring, including Cave Spring town 2,142 2,253 2,283 

North Carolina 1,259 1,249 1,206 

Watters 2,418 2,353 1,224 

Rome, including Rome city 14,150 13,696 14,035 

Texas Valley 873 1,174 1.185 

Barker's 1,101 1,081 1,098 

Flovd Springs 618 1,301 1,096 

Chiilio 1,499 1,457 1,191 

Etowah 1,544 1,215 892 

Livingston 700 451 789 

Mount Alto 2,548 2.046 1,122 

Everett Springs 544 674 590 

Foster's Mill 517 363 472 

Vann's Valley 1,665 846 975 

Howell's 1,382 1,270 1,045 

Lindale 3,962 3,699 2,643 

State Line 650 600 614 

Glenwood 984 1,008 

Armuchee 1,285 

Totals 39,841 36,736 33,113 



462 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



-•'{''.''■i'.-^f iJK?-"' 




MEN WHO HAVE PUT ROME ON THE POLITICAL MAP. 

Top, left to right, Milford W. Howard, native wood hauler of DeSoto, who was named rep- 
resentative to Washington, and wrote a book, "If Christ Came to Congress;" Judge Augustus 
K Wright in Federal and Confederate Congresses; Judge John W. Hooper, who befriended the 
K^ ^^."^.V ,,,?^ Henry Lumpkin, congressman; Thos. C. Hackett, congressman; Dr. H. V. 

M. Miller, Demosthenes of the Mountains," United States Senator; Judson Claudius Clements, 
congressman and Interstate Commerce Commission chairman 



Miscellaneous — General Information 



463 



GOVERNORS OF GEORGIA 



Jas. Edward Oglethorpe 

William Stephens 

Henry Parker 

John Reynolds 

Henry Ellis 

James Wright - 

James Habersham 

William Ewen 

Archibald Bullock 

Button Gwinnett 

John A. Treutlen 

John Houston 

John Wereat 

George Walton 

Richard Howley 

Stephen Heard, (Pres. Sen.)-- 

Nathan Brownson 

John Martin 

Lyman Hall 

John Houston 

Samuel Elbert 

Edward Telfair 

George Matthews 

George Handley 

George Walton 

Edward Telfair 

George Matthews 

Jared Irwin 

James Jackson 

David Emmanuel 

Josiah Tatnall 

John Milledge 

Jared Irwin 

David B. Mitchell 

Peter Early 

David B. Mitchell 

William Rabun 

Matthew Talbott, (Pres. Sen.) 

John Clark 

George M. Troup ... -. 



1732-43 

1743-51 

1751-54 

1754-57 

1757-60 

1760-71 

1771-75 

1775-76 

1776-77 

1777-77 

1777-78 

1778-78 

1778-79 

1779-80 

1780-81 

1781-81 

1781-82 

1782-83 

1783-84 

1784-85 

1785-86 

1786-87 

1787-88 

1788-89 

1789-90 

1790-93 

1793-96 

1796-98 

1798-01 

1801-01 

1801-02 

1802-06 

1806-09 

1809-13 

1813-15 

1815-17 

1817-19 

1819-19 

1819-23 

1823-27 



John Forsyth 1827-29 

George R. Gilmer 1829-31 

Wilson Lumpkin 1831-35 

William Schley 1835-37 

George R. Gilmer 1837-39 

Chas. J. McDonald 1839-43 

Geo. W. Crawford : 1843-47 

Geo. W. Towns 1847-51 

Howell Cobb 1851-53 

Herschel V. Johnson 1853-57 

Joseph E. Brown 1857-65 

James Johnson. (Provisional).. 1865-65 

Chas. J. Jenkins 1865-68 

Gen. T. H. Ruger, U. S. A 1868-68 

(military governor) 
Gen. Jno. Pope, U. S. A 1868-68 

(military commander) 
Gen. Geo. G. Meade, U. S. A 1868-68 

(military commander) 

Rufus B. Bullock 1868-71 

Benj. Conley, (Pres. Sen.) 1871-72 

James M. Smith 1872-76 

Alfred H. Colquitt 1876-82 

Alexander H. Stephens 1882-83 

James S. Boynton, (Pres. Sen.) 1883-83 

Henry D. McDaniel 1883-86 

John B. Gordon 1886-90 

Wm. J. Northen 1890-94 

Wm. Y. Atkinson 1894-98 

Allen D. Candler 1898-02 

Joseph M. Terrell 1902-07 

Hoke Smith 1907-09 

Joseph M. Brown 1909-11 

Hoke Smith 1911-11 

John M. Slaton, (Pres. Sen.).... 1911-12 

Joseph M. Brown 1912-13 

John M. Slaton 1913-15 

Nathaniel E. Harris 1915-17 

Hugh M. Dorsev 1917-21 

Thos. W. Hardwick 1921-22 

Clifford M. Walker 1922 



Fire Department in lS6d (Voluntee)) . — James Noble, Jr.. chief, W. T. Mapp, 
first assistant chief; R. T. Hoyt, second assistant chief; W. T. Seavey, secretary. 
Rainbow Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1. — Mulford M. Pepper, president; T. S. 
McAfee, vice-president; E. J. Stevens, secretary. 

Mountain City Fire Engine Co. No. 2. — Dr. David J. Powers, president; Geo. 
Noble, captain; W. R. Fenner, secretary. 

Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1.— Ed. F. Shropshire, foreman; S. C. Anderson, 
assistant foreman; Robt. J. Gwaltney, secretary. 

Attorneys, 1868 to 1894 (Partial List) .—Ban'l. R. Mitchell, John W. H. Un- 
derwood, Chas. H. Smith, Joel Branham, A. R. Wright, Edwin N. Broyles, C. N. 
Featherston, R. D. Harvey, Sr., D. B. Hamilton, Sr., Dunlap Scott, Dan'l. S. 
Printup, R. T. Fouche, Wm. H. Dabney, C. D. Forsyth, John H. Reece, Sr., Rich- 
ard A. Denny, Thos. W. Alexander, J. I. Wright, Christopher Rowell, W. W. 
Brookes, W. T. Turnbull, D. M. Hood, W. D. Elam, Wm. S. Hills, W. B. Terhune, 
James P. Perkins, R. R. Harris, Sr., Chas. W. Underwood, Jas. H. Spullock, 
J. Lindsay Johnson, Sr., Walter H. Mitchell, Hal Wright, Max Meyerhardt (City 
Court judge 1887-91), Linton A. Dean, Seaborn Wright, Hamilton Yancey, Jno. 
W. Maddox, Wm. H. Hidell and Albert G. Ewing. 



464 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




MORE SILHOUETTES BY EUGENE LE HARDY DE BEAULIEU. 



o .}—{''^"^^ii""^^f^^^escendant of the celebrated Hume family, of the English nobilitv 
l^ Eut ^^,°T'^t\^»''-A'^t''''' I. Brooks); 3-Col. Alfred Shortir; 4 and ^Joh« 
and Ehza Hume; 6— Sarah Hendricks; 7— Mary Russell (mother of Jno. J. Eagan of At- 

iT-l^ML'"^e''o!'^"B\"t'tey ' '~''°'*- ^^"^^= ''-'''■ ^^"^ '^^ ^^"^^= ^^-'^-- ^°^"' B^ttt^; 



Miscellaneous — General Information 465 

$750,000 FOR GOOD ROADS IN FLOYD 

On Thursday, June 16, 1921, the voters of Floyd County, by an almost unani- 
mous vote, authorized an issue of $750,000 bonds for road improvements, following 
a resolution favoring the issue passed by the County Board of Roads and Revenues 
at its meeting May 11. A considerable part of this money has already been spent, 
and Floyd County is assured of a system of roads that cannot be excelled in 
Northwest Georgia, The program called for the expenditure of $616,000 on 257 
miles of first and second-class roads, and the balance, $134,000, on second and 
third-class roads. It follows: 

FIRST-CLASS ROADS 

Miles. Amount. 

Kingston road to Bartow County line 8 $60,000 

Summerville road, Armuchee to Chattooga line , 5 70,000 

Including a bridge over Armuchee Creek. 

Calhoun road to Gordon County line 13 50,000 

Cave Spring road to Alabama line 21 60,000 

Including a bridge over Big Cedar Creek. 

BluflF road to Alabama line 16 50,000 

Chulio road to Bartow County line 8 25,000 

Seney road from Lindale to Polk County line 7 30,000 

Dalton road from Summerville road to Gordon County line 12 25,000 

Cave Spring and Cedartown road to Polk County line 2 5,000 

SECOND-CLASS ROADS 

Floyd Springs road — Armuchee to Everett Springs at Pocket 17' 25,000 

Pope's Ferry from Calhoun road to Bell's Ferry 10 20.000 

Plainville road from Calhoun road to Plainville V-U 4,000 

Adairsville road from Calhoun road at Martin's store to Bartow line 2V3 5,000 

Hermitage road from Calhoun road at Watters to beyond Hermitage 4 2,000 
Wayside School road from Calhoun road at Dr. Floyd's to Bartow 

County line 8 6,000 

Freeman Ferry road from Kingston road to Etowah River 4 4,000 

Taylorsville road from Seney road to Bartow line 9 15,000 

Foster's Mill road to Cave Spring road 6 5,000 

Melson and Cave Spring road 7 8,000 

Booger Hollow road from Six Mile to Pork County 8 8,000 

River road from Alabama road at Hamilton's, Alabama road, to 

near Cabin Creek Bridge 12 20,000 

Burnett's Ferry road from Pop Skull 7 15,000 

Foster's Mill to Coosa River 7 7,000 

Coosa from Alabama road to Lavender 3 2,000 

Lavender road from Alabama road to Texas Valley 7 12,000 

Redmond road from Summerville road to Texas Valley 7 12,000 

O'Brian Gap road from Summerville road to Texas Valley 7 12,000 

Big Texas Valley from Crystal Springs to Texas Valley 8 12,000 

Little Texas Valley road from Armuchee to Lavender 10 15,000 

Livingston road to Bluff road 4 5,000 

Pinson's, Calhoun road, to Pope's Ferry road 4 5,000 

Brown's Store, Holland road 3 4,000 

Early to Ford's Bend 5 5,000 

Culpepper's Mill to Everett Springs 3 3,000 

Totals 257 $616,000 



Historic Gavel. — The Xavier Chapter of the Daughters of the American Rev- 
olution is the possessor of a gavel made from the historic wood of the old La- 
Fayette House, Montgomery, Ala. The place was torn down in 1900 and the gavel 
was presented by Mrs. R. V. Mitchell. 

City Marshals ayid Police Chiefs. — Samuel Stewart, before and after the 
Civil War; Dr. S. F. Powers, Jobe B. Rogers, J. B. Sills, Col. E. J. Magruder, 
Jas. C. Brown and J. B. ("Pink") Shropshire, marshals; Wm. H. Steele, Jas. A. 
Collier, H. H. Wimpee, Chas. I. Harris (first term), Henry J. Stewart (grandson 
of Col. Samuel Stewart), Wm. S. Simmons and Chas. I. Harris (incumbent). 



466 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

Congressinen in Roine. — On Apr. 23, 1909, a committee of Congressmen and 
other leaders sat down to a banquet as the guests of the Merchants & Manu- 
facturers' Association at the Hotel Cherokee (Armstrong). Among those present 
were Congressmen Jas. A. Tawney, of Minnesota; Geo. P. Lawrence, Massachu- 
setts; John A. Moon, Tennessee; John L. Burnett, Alabama; Gordon Lee, Georgia; 
and Jos. L. Ransdell, Louisiana; Senators A. S. Clay and Thos. W. Hardwick, 
Georgia; Jos. M. Brown, Governor of Georgia; Jos. M. Terrell, former Governor 
of Georgia; John Temple Graves, W. J. Spillman, of the Federal Department of 
Agriculture, Washington, and W. W. Finley, president of the Southern Railway. 

J. N. King, president of the Merchants & Manufacturers' Association, pre- 
sided as toastmaster and introduced a number of speakers who discussed the 
question of opening up the Coosa River to navigation. Mr. King paid the following 
tribute to Rome: 

"Surely the Great Giver of all good never delivered into the hands of mortal 
stewardship a section more favored, a fragment of this old earth more blest 
than this in which we live; a climate more healthful, or natural resources more 
abundant. Remarkable Rome! — remarkable in that she is not now a city of 
50,000 souls instead of having to wait for that minimum of population. Re- 
mai'kable Rome! — born under the blue canopy of a North Georgia sky, than which 
there is nothing more beautiful in Italy or Switzerland; in an atmosphere free 
from the extremes of temperature, and laden with the perfume of the blossoms 
of rare fruits and flowers; resting in a cradle of most exceptional natural ad- 
vantages, nourished by the rich and varied agricultural products of her fertile 
valleys, strengthened by the iron in her rugged hills; quenching her thirst in her 
own bubbling springs; clothed with the cotton grown in her broad fields; made 
warm by the coal within reach of her extended hands; with her beautiful head 
resting upon the mighty shoulders of old Mount Alto, her shapely feet bathed in 
the cooling water of the deep-flowing Coosa, and her graceful sides laved by the 
health-giving tides of the swiftly-flowing Etowah and Oostanaula, — surely, gen- 
tlemen, surely never was a city more favored, never were a people more blessed!" 

After the Freshet. — Floyd County folks "did about" as a consequence of the 
freshet of March-April, 1886. Col. W. G. Gammon was chairman of the county 
board at that time, and he called his compatriots together in a special session. 
The minutes of A. W. Shropshire, clerk, show the following entries during April : 

Ferry boats were ordered put on the Etowah at Broad Street and at Howard 
Street (Second Avenue), and Wm. M. Towers was awarded a contract to construct 
a foot pontoon bridge at the former site. 

Capt. Wm. T. Smith was authorized to build a pontoon for passengers and 
vehicles. Pedestrians were charged 3 cents to cross, or 5 cents round trip, and 
vehicles paid 20 to 35 cents, round trip. 

The Smith bridge cost $200 and the Towers bridge $169.27. The sheriff served 
an order on the city to erect the bridges. 

Hines M. Smith, engineer, later constructed a military bridge at Broad 
Street from the old timbers of bridges that had been washed down the Coosa. He 
was allowed $2 per day for his services, but this was increased to $100 a month. 

The Morse Bridge Co. got the contract for constructing the new iron bridges. 
The Broad Street bridge iron cost $5.75 per foot, and the iron for the Howard 
Street structure $4.55 per foot (erected), making $12,000 for the former and 
$8,000 for the latter; the total for both, with masonry at $12,000, was $31,030. 

The Fifth Avenue iron bridge was built in 1887 by the Penn Bridge Co. for 
$24,914. 

A bond election for bridges and other improvements failed June 3, with 
1,719 for and 2,218 against, and two-thirds needed to carry; 2,997 had voted at 
the last general election. The bonds carried at a second election. 

Three modern bridges, two of them (Second Avenue and Broad) of concrete, 
have since been erected. 





/:x-^t>i^ 



^t:^< 



468 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 





ROME'S SPLENDID WATERWORKS PLANT. 

At top is the Fort Jackson filter station, and at bottom Sam P. Frye^ superintendent, 
at one of the immense outdoor tanks. In center is a peek at North Rome from the plant 
elevation. 



A FAMOUS FLAG.— Miss Sallie 
Howard, daughter of the Rev. Chas. 
Wallace Howard (owner of "Spring 
Bank" plantation and school near old 
Cassville, Bartow County), and sis- 
ter of the late Miss Frances Thomas 
Howard, author of "In and Out of 
the Lines," is the possessor of a hand- 
some water color sketch of the old bat- 
tle flag of the Eighth Georgia Reg- 
iment. The original flag, she says, 
was borne aloft in the following hec- 
tic engagements : 

First Battle of Manassas, Seven 
Days' Battle, Second Battle of Ma- 
nassas, Chantilly, Boonesborough, Suf- 
folk, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Get- 
tysburg, Frankstown, various skirm- 
ishes on Jones Island, near Charles- 



ton, Campbell's Station, E. Tennessee 
engagements, siege of Knoxville, at- 
tack on Fort Sanders, Battle of the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, 
the flank movements of Grant, includ- 
ing Cold Harbor; Bermuda Hundreds. 



AS THE WAR OPENED.— Rev. 
John Jones, pastor of the First Pres- 
byterian church, on April 13, 1861, 
wrote Rev. Dr. Palmer, Presbyterian 
minister at New Orleans: 

"The war has opened. At this mo- 
ment the Charleston batteries are play- 
ing on Fort Sumter. I unite with 
you in praying for our native South. 
'May the Lord cover her head in this 
her day of battle!" 



Miscellaneous — General Information 



469 



MAYORALTY ELECTION IN 
1872.*— For the 1873 term, Maj. Wm. 
r'ranklin Ayer was elected over At- 
torney J. I. Wright. A mixed coun- 
cil went in. The tickets follow: 

For Mayor — W. F. Ayer; for alder- 
men: First Ward, Dr. G. W. Holmes 
and Terrence McGuire; Second Ward, 
Col. W. G. Gammon and W. L. White- 
ly; Third Ward, J. A. Stansbury and 
J. L. Cam,p. 

For Mayor— J. I. Wright; for al- 
dermen: Dr. G. W. Holmes and A. 
Tabor Hardin; W. L. Whitely and Dr. 
R. V. Mitchell; Robt. T. Hargrove and 
Edward H. West. 



Thus was ended a controversy that 
had existed since 1835. As an old cit- 
izen said, "The cat was finally 'bell- 
ed.' " 



CITY OFFICERS IN 1888.*=^- 
Mayor — Maj. W. F. Ayer; city attor- 
ney, Junius F. Hillyer; city treasurer, 
Edward C. Hough; city clerk, Mitchell 
A. Nevin; chief of police, Capt. Ed- 
ward J. Magruder. 



FREE BRIDGES.— How the toll 
bridges of Rome were made "free" is 
related by the late Judge Joel Bran- 
ham in his booklet, "The Old Court 
House in Rome," (ps. 24-26) : 

On Dec. 5, 1872, the East Rome 
Town Co. obtained a conditional license 
from the Board of County Commis- 
sioners establishing their new bridge 
over the Etowah to East Rome as a 
"toll bridge." A bill of injunction had 
been filed against the company by Col. 
Alfred Shorter and Judge Augustus 
R. Wright, owners of the other bridges 
yielding an income, and who made the 
point that the Inferior Court had is- 
sued them an exclusive grant. Judge 
Robt. D. Harvey denied the injunction, 
and the decision was affirmed by the 
State Supreme Court and then the 
U. S. Supreme Court,'''** where 
it was fought out by Judge Joel Bran- 
ham for the company and by Judge 
Wright in person for himself and Col. 
Shorter. 

A. Thew H. Brower later purchased 
a large block of the company's stock 
and 20 acres of land on the ridge 
along the river below East Second 
Avenue, and at his instance the bridge 
was eventually opened to the public, 
toll free. Still later the county bought 
all the bridges and abolished the tolls. 

♦Authority : Election tickets. 

**Authority : Tribune of Rome, Anniversary 
and Trade Number. Tues., Oct. 2, 1888, p. 4. 

***101 U. S. Reports, p. 791. 

****The Tribune of Rome, Anniversary and 
Trade Number, Tues., Oct. 2, 1888, p. 5. 

*****Ibid, p. 3. 

******The honored father of Col. Graves, who 
died 32 years later in Washinston, D. C, and 
was buried in Westview cemetery, Atlanta. 



CLERGYMEN OF ROME IN 
1888.****— Rev. G. T. Goetchius, Pres- 
byterian; Rev. Robt. B. Headden, Bap- 
tist; Revs. W. F. Quillian, W. M. 
Bridges and W. F. Robison, Metho- 
dists; Rev. C. Buckner Hudgins, Epis- 
copalian, and Rev. Father M. J. Clif- 
ford, Catholic. 

THE TRIBUNE IN 1888.*****— 
When John Temple Graves came to 
Rome from the Atlanta Evening Jour- 
nal to establish the Tribune of Rome 
on Oct. 2, 1887, he had evidently im- 
bibed some of the lofty enthusiasm 
which was so prevalent among mem- 
bers of the Rome Land Co. and other 
"boom" org^anizations of the period. 
He gathered around him for his new 
paper not only 60 able stockholders 
(suggestive of the present-day arrays) 
but put on the payroll a producing 
force of 43 people, or three times as 
many as the experts say are neces- 
sary to put out a paper in a town 
the size of Rome. The 43 follow: 

Col. Graves, editor and general mana- 
ger ; Gen. J. P. Graves, assistant;****** 
Houstoun R. Harper, city editor; J. Dan 




REV. HARRY P. .JOYNER, Baptist minister 
whose Maple Street Community House plan 
has attracted wide attention. 



470 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Cleaton, assistant; E. Fletcher Smith, 
night editor; Jno. G. Taylor, business 
manager; F. A. Webster, bookkeeper; 
Sam C. Whitmire, collector; Henry 
Thompson, office boy; Fred H. Wright, 
composing room foreman, and B. C. 
Edwards, Dick Dempsey, J. B. Spence, 
J. N. Swaggarty, W. H. Peters, B. 
C. Kelton, G. S. McAfee, A. B. Theo- 
bold, F. J. Estes, Tom Turner, W. 
B. Lathrop, C. A. Cook, P. A. W. 
Keel, Tom Barnett and W. H. May- 
neck, with Pete and John Roser as 
"devils;" Sam Whitmire, superintend- 
ent of machinery and press room; 
Oliver Elmore, pressman, Charlie 
Wright, feeder, and Hienry Thomp. 
son, mailing clerk. In the carrier and 
delivery department were Simon Ray, 
Jimmy and Willy Elders. John and 
Henry Wright, John Harper, Bob 
Moss. George Starr, Scab Higgin- 
botham and Hayes Ray; the Associat- 
ed Press reporters were Cothran 
Smith, Luther Gwaltney and Wirt 
Marshall. 

The leaders in the movement for an 
up-to-date daily newspaper were J. W. 
and J. A. Rounsaville, Dr. J. B. S. 
Holmes and Dr. Robt. Battey. Dr. 
Battey was made president, and the 
other directors were Dr. Holmes, J. 
A. Rounsaville, Col. Graves, R. T. 
Armstrong, T. F. Howel, and D. F. 
Allgood. In addition to the directors, 
the stockholders were H. B. Parks & 
Co., Alfred S. Hamilton, Emmons, Mc- 
Kee & Co., Simpson, Glover & Hight, 
Elbert T. McGhee, R. G. Clark & Co., 
Chas. H. Cothran, C. Oliver Stillwell, 
Geo. M. Battey, Wm. W. Seay, J. A. 
Smith, Jos. B. Patton, Robt. H. Jones 
& Sons, E. H. Colclough, Dean & 
Ewing, Wm. M. Towers, Almeron W. 
Walton, Joel Branham, T. J. McCaf- 
frey, D. B. Hamilton, M. A. Taylor, 
Jas. T. Vandiver, B. T. Haynes, Mark 
G. McDonald, Henry A. Smith, P. L. 
Turnley & Co., W. H. Wardlaw, Jas. 
G. Dailey, Chas. D. Wood, M. A. 
Nevin, Wm. H. Roe, Jas. Douglas, L. 
R. Gwaltney, A. McGhee, Henry G. 
Stoffregen, Jas. D. Gwaltney, Wm. H. 
Adkins, Jno. T. Warlick, Jack King, 
J. T. Crouch & Co., Park Harper, R. 
J. Ragan, Jno. J. Seay, H. D. Coth- 
ran, Jno. Montgomery, David W. Cur- 
ry, Bradford & Watts, Lamkin & 
Funkhouser, Harper Hamilton, Capt. 
W. N. Moore, Wm. A. Wright, Jno. 
G. Taylor and Jno. H. Reynolds. 

The Tribune of Rome was a mint 
of money from the start — for the 
stockholders to pay out. One day a 
"niass meeting" was held, and orders 
given to "cut to the bone." This was 



done, and after struggling along for 
three years with his "corporal's 
guard," Col. Graves departed for a 
different clime. In the meantime, 
Frank L. Stanton had broken in from 
the Smithville (Lee County) News, 
but his prodigous efforts to prop 
things up with poety availed little, and 
he escaped to Atlanta a short distance 
ahead of the crash. 



"OWE NO MAN ANYTHING."— 
"The Cash System is Best for Mer- 
chant and Customers." — Messrs. Edi- 
tors : With your permission we take 
this occasion to set forth to our friends 
and patrons a few reasons why we 
ought to be encouraged in our re- 
cently adopted system. Cash. We be- 
lieve it is best for both merchant and 
customer. When we go to market 
with the cash, we are independent and 
can buy goods when we please and 
where we find goods at the lowest 
prices — we buy at reduced prices and 
divide with the customer. The cus- 
tomer is under no obligation to buy 
of us because of an unpaid debt, 
whether it is to his interest or not; 
merchant and customer stand on equal 
ground. Again, the cash system makes 
no bad debts. It is the good solvent 




TELAMON CRUGER SMITH-CUYLER, a 
Roman who has traveled all over the world 
and is an entertainer without a peer. 






^yf^^C^^ 



// 




472 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



customers that pay the merchant, who 
loses by those who don't pay. Trade 
is like the fluid in a spirit level — it 
will equalize itself — and competition 
compels merchants to sell as low as 
they can afford to, and if they can af- 
ford to sell at 25 per cent and lose 
10 per cent for bad debts and law- 
yers' fees, then of course they can 
sell at 15 per cent profit when no bad 
debts are made. 

By the credit system, bad debts 
have always been made and always 
will be made, and bails and attach- 
ments, and bills of injunction, and 
lawyers' fees and court costs, and liv- 
ery bills, and troubles with trust es- 
tates, and administrators and guard- 
ians create a heavy sinking fund in 
every credit house, and the loss is met 
by the promptly paying, solvent cred- 
itors. The credit system must employ 
a good bookkeeper and pay liberally 
for one. Day book, journal, ledger, 
note book, invoice book, cash book, 
bills receivable and bills payable and 
hundreds of dunning letters are indis- 
pensable — but with us "Othello's occu- 
pation is gone" — the bookkeeper is ab- 
sent behind the counter. 

The cash system leaves no room for 
quarrels about settlements at the end 




FRANK STOVALL ROBERTS, of Washing- 
ton, D. C, Roman of before the war, whose 
recollections of Rome have entertained hun- 
dreds. 



of the year, for with us the year has 
no end; there are no long accounts to 
be astonished at, no family jars, no 
cloudy evenings at home because of 
the family's extravagance. The cash 
system saves the buyer a good deal 
by forcing economy upon him — his pur- 
chases will be less if he pays the 
money down. His family will buy 
fewer of the fancies that dazzle the 
eye, and will themselves begin a new 
system of economy. It avoids the 
necessity of performing that unpleas- 
ant duty of prying into everybody's 
financial condition and of refusing 
credit to clever men because we fear 
they can't pay promptly — perhaps 
never. We intend to make a fair and 
diligent experiment, to test its virtues 
thoroughly; we assure you that this 
is no trick fixed up to trap the un- 
wary, but an honest effort, worthy 
of consideration. 

Finally, we say to our friends that 
there is one unanswerable argument 
which we shall leave untold. If you 
will call at our place of bueiness we 
will take much plaesure in giving you 
this vmwritten reason, and will even 
make your pocket sensible of its truth. 
JONES, SCOTT, OMBERG & CO. 

N. B. — Southerner & Advertiser, 
Banner & Baptist, Cassville Standard, 
Jacksonville Republican and Coosa 
River Argus please copy. — Jan. 31, 
1860. 

THE CARELESS SMOKER.— Will 
the next nation-wide crusade be 
against the use of tobacco? There are 
many who believe so. The other day 
T received a questionnaire from a New 
York company that makes a business 
of compiling information as to pub- 
lic opinion on public questions. It is 
getting the sentiment of newspaper 
men all over the country as to whether 
the anti-tobacco movement is favored 
or opposed by the people of their 
communities, wrote J. D. McCartney 
in the Rome Tribune-Herald Jan. 7, 
1921. 

To the average man it seems absurd 
that anyone should attempt to take 
his pipe or cigarette or cigar away 
from him. Twenty years ago the 
average man thought it silly to talk 
of taking away his beer — but they did 
it. It would not surprise me in the 
least if there should be legislation 
against the use of tobacco within the 
next decade. To be sure, tobacco never 
caused men to beat their wives, or 
lo"se their money, or neglect their chil- 
dren, or do the hundreds of other evils 



Miscellaneous — General Information 



473 



charged against liquor. But there are 
many people who consider that tobacco 
lessens the efficiency and impairs the 
mentality of its users, hence they re- 
gard it as a curse. Many more re- 
gard it as a nuisance. 

Personally I do not favor anti-to- 
bacco legislation, having used tobacco 
in the past and knowing just how 
enjoyable it is. But as a non-user of 
tobacco at present I am aware that 
many smokers — in fact, most smokers 
— are utterly inconsiderate of the com- 
fort and convenience of those who do 
not smoke. As the non-smokers out- 
number the devotees of the weed, it 
is by no means improbable that leg- 
islation restricting the use of tobacco 
may be enacted. Certainly the sell- 
ers and users of tobacco might take 
a leaf out of the book of the sellers 
and users of liquor, who by abusing 
existing rights and privileges hasten- 
ed the day of their taking away. If 
saloonkeepers had all been decent and 
law^-abiding, liquor would still be with 
us. If tobacconists and smokers would 
be law-abiding and considerate there 
would be no danger of legislation 
against tobacco. 

There are laws in many states 
against the sale of cigarettes and to- 
bacco to minors. Those laws are con- 
stantly violated and this gives a just 
cause of complaint to the anti-tobac- 
co people and is a powerful weapon 
for their cause. The general indif- 
ference of smokers to the rights of 
non-users of the weed is, however, the 
main thing that strengthens the hand 
of the agitators against tobacco. 

If there was an organization whose 
members were pledged to the decent 
use of tobacco, and the consequent 
consideration for the rights of others, 
there would be no need for blue laws 
to suppress smoking. To begin with, 
an accompaniment to the use of to- 
bacco is the constant and unhygienic 
spitting, half of it due to habit and 
entirely unnecessary. The expectora- 
tion may be aimed at a cuspidor, but 
it often finds its way to the floor, 
the sidewalk, or the rug. The prac- 
tice is disgusting and it ought to be 
stopped. 

Smokers are constantly encroach- 
ing on new territory. They "light up" 
in cafes and restaurants at the con- 
clusion of their own dinner, without 
a thought that they may be spoiling 
the dinner of someone else. They in- 
hale deeply and blow clouds of smoke 
all over whoever may be sitting next 
to them. They erect their smoke- 



screen in every public gathering, even 
though ladies may be present. At 
banquets or lodge meetings they soon 
get the air so thick it can be cut with 
a knife and the unhappy non-smoker, 
compelled to attend, goes home with 
smarting eyes and aching head. They 
trail their fumes through business 
offices and homes. At the theaters 
they twist nervously until the intermis- 
sion, when they crawl over other peo- 
ple in a mad rush for a cigarette, then 
crawl back again, reeking with the 
fumes of tobacco. Such a thing as 
exercising a little self-restraint in pub- 
lic places, where the health and com- 
fort of others might be affected, never 
enters the head of the average smoker 
— and if there is a growing sentiment 
against smoking, it is the thought- 
less smoker who contributes most to 
the growth of that sentiment. 

There is a more serious side to the 
question, and that is the loss of prop- 
erty and sometimes life due to the 
careless handling of fire. Just recall 
the many newspaper accounts of fires 
attributed to a "smoldering cigar 
butt" or "a carelessly thrown match." 
Look at the furniture in any public 
place or hotel. You will find desks 
scorched, furniture blackened, rugs 




CAPT. CHAS. NICHOLAS FEATHERSTON, 
in his Civil War uniform. Captain Feather- 
ston was one of Rome's best lawyers and 
students. 



474 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



with holes burned in them, polished 
surfaces showing scratches, all the 
work of the careless smoker. 

The smoker has the privilege of 
freedom and full enjoyment now. If 
he continues to abuse it by making 
himself a nuisance to non-smokers, by 
burning carpets, scorching furniture, 
spitting on the sidewalks and setting 
fire to houses, it is problematic as to 
how long this freedom will continue. 
It is not beyond the bounds of possi- 
bility that the cigarette boot-legger 
may be a development of the future. 

AS IT USED TO BE.— The Tri- 
Weekly Courier of June 24, 1860, re- 
printed the following as a jolt to the 
"weed mashers:" 

"The Portsmouth Transcript ex- 
claims against the shameful desecra- 
tion of church floors and walls by 
thoughtless and mannerless tobacco 
chewers. We copy the last paragraph 
of the article: 

" 'It is contrary to common etiquette 
to expectorate in a parlor. Why not 
in a church? We have seen a pious 
pew holder praising God and rolling 
his quid in the most delighted manner 
imaginable — spitting great jets of am- 




ber and groaning "Amen" in the next 
breath, singing half a line of a hymn 
and spitting and grunting the other. 
The vestibules frequently suffer and 
stains are everywhere visible. How 
much of the poetic beauty that shines 
along the pathway of religion and in- 
vests it with a charm which causes 
even the infidel to respect it will re- 
main if the filthy customs of pervert- 
ed taste are tolerated in its temples? 
Why should a beautiful house be con- 
secrated to God, if it is to be desecrated 
by indecency? We should as soon see 
a man carry his bottle with him, and 
drink in full view of all, as to see him 
sit and squirt, or clandestinely dribble 
his disgusting expectorations amidst 
the pews and aisles of the sanctuary. 
The deed would be more decent, at 
least would not defile, as well as in- 
sult, the House of God.' " 



BENJAMIN CUDWORTH YANCEY, police 
court recorder and probably the only na- 
tive-born mayor Rome ever had. 



FATHOMING A VACUUM.— Al- 
though C. A. Bundschu, North Rome 
meat market man shot in the head 
last Thursday night by Mark Johnson, 
tried to smoke a cigarette this morn- 
ing to soothe his nerves, the experi- 
ment was not very satisfactory, and 
the patient had to throw the weed 
away. His wife helped him fire off, 
but owing to the fact that the right 
side of his face is paralyzed, he could 
not get up enough vacuum or suction 
to make a draught to cause it to burn. 

A discussion was started in The 
News office the other day concerning 
the physical aspects of smoking a 
cigarette. One man said that a cigar- 
ette is consumed because a vacuum is 
formed in the mouth of the smoker 
which causes the air to rush into the 
burning end from without and through 
the cigarette into the mouth and 
throat, causing combustion of the 
smoking materials and carrying with 
it the smoke. Another was of the opin- 
ion that no vacuum was caused, that 
it was entirely a matter of draft. If 
you will reverse the current, contend- 
ed this latter gentleman, you will find 
that you get an effect that is not 
caused by a vacuum. Smoke issues 
in increased volume from the end of 
the cigarette, or "pill." 

Although the man holding to the 
draught theory seemed to have a good 
argument, the other dismissed the sub- 
ject by saying: 

"You can't tell me that a vacuum 
has nothing to do with it. I could 
never come to any other conclusion." — 
Rome News, July 12, 1921. 



Miscellaneous — General Information 



475 



DAYS OF THE "HOWLING 
DERVISHES."— In few towns do the 
white and colored races get along bet- 
ter together than in Rome. This has 
not always been true. In Reconstruc- 
tion days, for instance, the situation 
was chaotic, to say the least. A citi- 
zen wrote the Weekly Courier of 
Thursday, Aug. 20, 1868, as follows: 

"Mr. Editor: We have the most 
pious reverence for the Christian re- 
ligion and its honest votaries — we have 
been reared to esteem those who pro- 
fess and follow its teachings, as the 
salt of the earth. More than this, we 
have as little sectarianism and as 
large a charity for all Christian de- 
nominations as any one, but we must 
and do solemnly protest against the 
use now being made of the houses of 
religious worship by the colored pop- 
ulation of the city. Their manner of 
conducting religious sei'vice is not only 
a nuisance to those who live near, but 
it is a mockery and an insult to Him 
for whom these temples have been 
built. Let any one who has not heard 
those howling Dervishes in their night- 
ly orgies draw near some night and 
listen. A few minutes will suffice to 
convince. 

"At a recent attendance we heard 
a whining voice sing out, 'I'm gwine 
to Heben on a white hos.' Another 
jumped up and echoed, 'Bless de Lord, 
here's a poor sister gwine to hell on 
a black mule.' One raises her hands 
and with eyes fixed on the ceiling 
screams, 'I see Jesus, I see Jesus, I see 
Jesus a lookin' at me.' Another re- 
plies, 'I see him, too, a lookin' out de 
winder at me.' Another cries, 'Bless 
de Lord, tell Jesus to send down a rope, 
and I'll climb up to Heben.' This last 
idea strikes a dozen or more with force, 
and they jump up and down, shouting, 
'Send down de rope, and we'll all climb 
to Heben.' 

"Now, Mr. Editor, our observation 
long has been that the negroes who 
have the most of this kind of religion 
are the very meanest of the race. They 
are most idle, rougish and disobedi- 
ent. They will shout all night, on Sun- 
day night, and old Satan will possess 
them all the week after. The best ne- 
groes of the community are not of this 
sort, and there are very many good 
ones — negroes who make good serv- 
ants, faithful agents, and diligent la- 
borers. These have the sympathy of 
our race, and will always have it. They 
will be supported and protected by us. 
But there is a class, and it is much 
the largest class, who are idle and vic- 
ious, who make no effort to lay up a 



dollar for winter or want or sickness. 
We are informed that our city fath- 
ers have expended within the last 18 
months nearly a thousand dollars in 
burying the pauper negroes. A negro 
child died in the city on Thursday 
last about noon. The sexton was sent 
for, and he informed the mother he 
had his orders to bury no more at the 
public expense. The house was full of 
negroes. They sang over the child all 
night, and had a good time, but made 
no more demonstrations whatever to- 
wards its interment. Next day about 
noon the sexton called again and found 
no progress. He called on a negro car- 
penter near by, and told him he had 
better make a box, or some sort of a 
coffin. The carpenter utterly refused, 
and the sexton had to bury the child 
at last. 

"The mortality of the negroes in the 
city for the past year has been ten to 
one as compared with the whites, and 
it is not decreasing, but increasing. The 
charity practiced by our physicians 
among them has become a serious tax 
upon their time, and this is no small 
charity of this kind-hearted profession, 
for it is done among the most ignor- 
ant and neglectful of our population. 
What is to be done with them? Are 




DR. ROBT. BATTEY, in the uniform of a 
colonel, Medical Corps, Confederate States 
Army, taken about 1863. 



476 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



they under our care and protection, or 
not? If they are, then they ought to 
be under our control. Surely we have 
laws enough to reach the case. Will 
the city fathers, or the grand juries, 
or both take the matter in hand? We 
owe it as a duty to the negro and to 
ourselves. If pestilence comes among 
us, it will find an inviting field in 
these hovels, and from thence it will 
spread among us all. 

"No, let the negro be made to un- 
dex'stand the laws of labor and the laws 
of society. Freedom has exhausted it- 
self in an effort to civilize him. There 
are many poor, very poor whites in 
our community, but they know they 
must labor and toil and struggle. They 
are generally cleanly and industrious 
— at all events, they live, and are not 
termed as paupers. 

"Now we are not of the faith of 
Ariel — far from it — we believe the ne- 
gro has a soul. More than this, we 
believe, as a race, they are peculiarly 
religious in their notions, and what is 
most wanted is a control of them by 
reasonable and well-directed effort. 
They should not be allowed to become 
vagrants and paupers, nor should they 
be allowed to howl and whoop like Hot- 
tentots and savages, under the idea 
that such is the way to worship God. 
If, however, this way is their profes- 
sion, let them worship so far from our 
habitations as not to annoy or distui'b 
our repose in the still hours of the 
night. 

"We have said this much upon a 
subject that will have to be considered 
hereafter, though it is ignored now. 
The time has passed when the negro 
is considered superior to the white 
race. The time is almost at hand when 
he will take his own proper position, 
and be made to know his entire de- 
pendence upon his white friends. We 
fear that few of them will profit by 
any advice we may give, for their ele- 
vation has been so sudden and their 
ignorance so feasted by office seekers 
that they are not in condition to know 
the truth." 

THE COST OF HIGH LIVING.— 
An exchange asks, "How civilized are 
we?" Not very, perhaps, when you 
consider that the big portion of our 
tax money (some say 95 per cent) goes 
into wars or preparations for wars, 
the big portion of the balance goes for 
luxuries and a measly sum, compara- 
tively, goes toward education and other 
things that benefit the masses. 

The High Point (N. C.) Enterprise 



presents the following amazing fig- 
ures : 

"Americans are quite given to 
boasting of their large expeditures for 
public education. 

"From the point of view of relativ- 
ity the boasting doesn't square with 
the facts. 

"We spend something less than $1,- 
000,000,000 a year on public educa. 
tion. 

"In 1920 our tobacco bill was more 
than double this, and for face powder, 
cosmetics, perfumes, etc., we spent 
three-quarters of a billion. 

"For every dollar we spend on pub- 
lic education, we spend 25 cents for 
ice cream, 50 cents for jewelry, 35 
cents for soft drinks and 30 cents for 
furs. 

"The $50,000,000 a year we spend 
for chewing gum is two and a half 
times the total expenditures for normal 
schools and almost exactly the same 
as all state and city appropriations for 
higher education. 

"The U. S. Commissioner of Educa- 
tion points out that if we would smoke 
two cigarettes instead of three, two 
cigars instead of three, take two chews 
instead of three, and add the money 
thus saved to the teachers' pay roll, 
the salaries of teachers could be in- 
creased 120 per cent. 

"As it is pretty generally admitted 
that our teachers as a class are crimi- 
nally underpaid, these figures are, to 
say the least, rather humiliating. 

" 'We think we believe in education,' 
says Claxton. 'No doubt we do believe 
in education in a way, but we have 
not paid and do not pay much for 
it.' " 

Suppose we should spend 50 per 
cent of our tax money for education. 
Wouldn't we be well enough educated 
eventually to do without some of the 
luxuries, including wars? — Rome News, 
July 18, 1921. 



FREE RURAL MAIL DELIVERY 
ROUTES (Floyd County, 1922).— No. 

1, Summerville Road to Armuchee; No. 

2, Calhoun Road; No. 3, Kingston 
Road; No. 4, Carlier Springs and 
Chulio; No. 5, Foster's Mill and Liv- 
ingston District; No. 6, Black's Bluff 
Road and Cave Spring; No. 7, Horse- 
leg Creek (Coosa River) and Burnett's 
Ferry roads; No. 8, Alabama Road, 
via Hamilton's and Shorter College; 
No. 9, O'Brien Gap and Redmond 
Gap Roads; No. 10, Chulio and Wax. 



z^tscellaneous — ig2o-ig2i Chronology 

1920 

OCTOBER— 

27 — Rev. D. Coe Love, Presbyterian missionary, lectured at the Berry Schools. 

NOVEMBER— 

2 — Rome News flashed results of overwhelming victory of Harding for President 

on screen at Elite Theatre; Tribune-Herald flashed results on Lanham store. 
5 — Miss Margaret Romaine, soprano, in recital at Shorter College. 

6 — Brewster Hall, first dormitory at the Berry Schools, destroyed by fire at 7:30 
A. M. Professors and students lost their clothing. 

11 — Thos. H. Johnston, dean of St. Philip's Cathedral, Atlanta, addressed Rotary 
Club at Brown Betty Tea Room on Irish and International affairs. Parade 
down Broad Street by Confederate Veterans, World War Veterans, Boy Scouts 
and others, celebrating signing of the Armistice with the Germans. 

12 — Rev. John H. Elliott, of College Park, started two weeks' revival at the First 
Presbyterian church. Hagenback-Wallace Circus disbanded for the season at 
Rome. 

13 — Football at Hamilton Field: Darlington School 14, Powder Springs 6. 

14 (Sunday) — Ice on streets; 25 degrees. Congressman Wm. D. Upshaw, of At- 
lanta, spoke on "A Stainless Flag and a Sober World" at the First Baptist church 
in the morning, the Cave Spring Methodist church and Shorter College in the 
afternoon, and the Fifth Avenue Baptist church at night. 

16 — Municipal election; Miss Ava Duncan was first Rome woman to vote, and 
Paul I. Morris first man to vote, at court house. Conference announced change 
of Rev. T. R. Kendall, Jr., from First Methodist Church to First Methodist at 
Gainesville, Rev. Elam F. Dempsey, of First Methodist at Athens to First Meth- 
odist at Rome; Rev. J. R. King, presiding elder of the Rome District, superannu- 
ated, and succeeded by Rev. W. T. Irvine, of Augusta. 

19 — Branch chapter of the League of Women Voters formed at Rome with Mrs. 
Annie Freeman Johnson as president. 

21 (Sunday) — Rev. Sam W. Small, evangelist, spoke at Fifth Avenue Baptist 
church, and Rev. John H. Elliott at Berry Schools. 

25 — Football at Hamilton Field: Darlington School 6, Rome High School 0. 

28 (Sunday)— Rev. T. R. Kendall, Jr. left for Gainesville, and Rev. Elam F. Demp- 
sey, of Athens, assumed pastorate of First Methodist church. 

DECEMBER— 
1 — Seventh District Medical Society, Dr. Howard E. Felton, of Cartersville, pres- 
ident, in one-day session at City Auditorium. 

15 — Kenneth G. Matheson, president of the Georgia School of Technology, Atlanta, 
addressed Rotary Club at Hotel Forrest; "Intelligence." 

21 — Tumlin Mercantile Co. burned at Cave Spring; loss, $25,000. 

31 — "Watch Nights" at churches; New Year ushered in. 

1921 

JANUARY— 

1 — Board of Roads and Revenues elected Judge John W. Maddox county attorney 
to succeed Graham Wright. 

3 — New city officials sworn in. Rev. A. J. Moncrief, pastor of the First Baptist 
church, accepted call to First Baptist of Pensacola, Fla. 

4 — Horace A. Wade, author at 12, drew 2,000 people in success talk at City Audi- 
torium. Floyd County Farm Bureau guests of Kiwanis Club at Hotel Forrest 
in move to establish creamery. 

7 — Rome Writers' Club organized with Mrs. Perrin Bester Brown president and 
Jack D. McCartney secretary. 
10 — Alex W. Chambliss, mayor of Chattanooga, appeared in civil case in Judge 
Moses Wright's Superior Court at Court House. 



478 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

21 — President-elect Warren G. Harding, going to Florida, spoke ten minutes from 
rear of train to crowd of Romans at Southern Railway depot, promising an un- 
derstanding between North and South, and was heartily cheered. 

23 (Sunday) — Small fire in Taul B. White's apartment at Hotel Armstrong; water 
damage considerable. 

24 — Miss Elizabeth Lanier, of Greenwich, Conn, (now Mrs. Robert Boiling, of 
Philadelphia, Pa.) arrived to spend a week teaching folk songs and dancing at 
the Berry Schools. 

27 — Mrs. George Maynard Minor, President-General of the Daughters of the Amer- 
ican Revolution, and Mrs. J. L. Buell, State Regent of Connecticut, at Berry 
Schools on visit. City Commission instructed Chief Harris to stop children from 
skating on streets. 

FEBRUARY— 
7 — Dr. Chas. E, Barker, of Detroit, Mich., in talks deploring modern moral ten- 
dencies, addressed boys and girls, then women, at Auditorium, was entertained 
by Rotary Club at the Brown Betty Tea Room for dinner, and spoke again at 
night at the First Baptist church. 
8 — W. A. Sutton, principal of Tech High School, Atlanta, spoke to Boy and Girl 
Scouts at City Auditorium. Georgia School of Technology campaign for $5,000,- 
000 launched in Floyd County. Wilson M. Hardy's garage on 3rd Avenue 
smashed by landslide from old Shorter College Hill. 

11 — Congressman Gordon Lee, of Chickamauga, registered for day at Armstrong 
Hotel. 

MARCH— 
2 — Curb market projected by committee composed of Taul B. White, Walter S. 

Cothran, Wilson M. Hardy, and John M. Graham. 
3 — Capt. N. C. Renisen, of Greenville, S. C, new Tribune-Herald manager. 

4 — Better business predicted in Rome as Warren G. Harding, twenty-ninth Presi- 
dent of the United States, is inaugurated at Washington, D. C. 

5 — Supt. W. C. Rash announced county school teachers would soon be paid. 

7— Basketball at Mt. Berry: Berry Schools 43, Rome Athletic Club 35. 

8 — Fire at Armstrong Hotel; damage about $40,000. 

10 — Georgia Federated Musical Clubs, Mrs. Frederic E. Vaissiere, of Rome, 
president, opened three-day session in Carnegie Library Auditorium; delegates 
welcomed by Miss Lula Warner, president of the Rome Music Lovers' Club, 
and Mrs. Wm. P. Harbin, and response was made by Mrs. Harry P. Hermance, 
of Atlanta. 

11 — Lester C. Bush, of LaGi'ange, elected secretary of the Rome Chamber of Com- 
merce, to report April 1. 

20 (Sunday) — S. E. DeFrese, of Chattanooga, president of the Rome Municipal 
Gas Co., arrived at Hotel Forrest to investigate complaints against service 
furnished by his concern. Left hurriedly when Rome News invited irate citi- 
zens to lodge complaints with him by telephone. 

24 — Boy Scouts clean up Myrtle Hill cemetery. 

27 — First "Easter Sing" on top of Myrtle Hill Cemetery; speaker, Judge Moses 
Wright. 

28 — Baseball at Macon; University of Georgia 6, Yale 5. 

30 — Berry School students put in day of work on new artificial lake. 

APRIL— 

1 — City Commission discussed $300,000 street and school bond issue. 

2 — Baseball at Athens: University of Georgia 2, Yale 1. Eagle Troop of Girl 
Scouts hiked to Rotary Lake, Shorter College, 

3 — Dr. B. V. Elmore, of Blountstown, Fla., arrived as new County Commissioner 
of Health, succeeding Dr. E. O. Chimene, who went to Greenville, S. C. 

4 — Georgia Tech Industrial Tour party, with K, G. Matheson, Governor Hugh M. 
Dorsey, former Governor Jos. M. Brown and others and Tech band, lunched at 
Hotel Forrest, was welcomed by J. Ed Maddox, responded through Dr. Mathe- 
son and inspected Rome. 



480 A History of Rome and Floyd County 



5 — J. H. Hoffman, Atlanta landscape architect, inspected City Auditorium Park 
with Mrs. W. M. Henry and Miss Anna Graham, of Women's Club. Simpson 
Grocery Co. fire; loss, $125,000. 

9 — Hawthorne Troop of Girl Scouts on hike to Carlier Springs. 

11-12 — American Legion showed official war films at City Auditorium. 

14 — Twenty-four Boy and Girl Scouts on trip up Oostanaula River nine miles to 
Whitmore's Bluff in Frank Holbrook's Steamer Annie H. 

16 — Emory University Glee Club at Shorter College. 

21 — Dr. Albert Shaw, of New York, editor of American Review of Reviews, and 
Mrs. Shaw arrived for five-day visit to Berry Schools from Cuba. Seventh Dis- 
trict Water Power Convention in hot session at City Auditorium. Floyd County 
men pledged $6,000 to Georgia Tech fund. 

25 — Second Boy and Gii'l Scout trip to Whitmore's Bluff on Annie H. 

26 — Confederate Memorial Day exercises in Myrtle Hill Cemetery led by Judge 
John W. Maddox, Capt. Henry J. Stewart, Rev. E. R. Leyburn, Miss Helen 
Knox Spain and Major Wm. A. Patton; about 200 present. 

27 — Jos. S. Stewart, of Athens, professor of secondary education, on visit to Rome 
Public Schools. 

28 — City Attorney Max Meyerhardt, Mrs. Roy Berry, Mrs. J. Lindsay Johnson, 
Mrs. C. T. Jervis and Mrs. James Maddox as committee laid before State Rail- 
road Commission at Capitol, Atlanta, Rome's complaint against inferior gas 
service. 

MAY— 

1 (Sunday) — C. R. Wilcox, of the McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tenn., arrived 
to take charge of the Darlington School. Camp sites at Cloudland, Chattooga 
County, offered Boy and Gii*l Scouts by Will and John Ledbetter. Rev. J. Ellis 
Sammons preached first sermon as pastor of the First Baptist church. 

2 — Southeastern Express branch office opened. City Commission in special ses- 
sion voted wreaths for Battey shaft May 5 at Rome and Grady shaft May 24 
in Atlanta. 

3 — Dr. H. A. Morgan, president of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, spoke 
at the Berry Schools. 

4 — Medical Association of Georgia opened three-day session at City Auditorium. 
Seventh District Masonic convention opened two-day session at Masonic Temple. 
University of Georgia drive for $1,000,000 started. Municipal band stand an- 
nounced ready on City Hall park site. 

5 — Masons adjourned after midnight feast at Masonic Temple. Dr. Howard A. 
Kelly, of Baltimore, Dr. E. T. Coleman, of Graymont, Dr. Howard E. Felton, of 
Cartersville, and Dr. Geo. R. West, of Chattanooga, spoke at unveiling of mon- 
ument to Dr. Robert Battey in City Hall Park, and shaft was accepted for 
City of Rome by Ernest E. Lindsey. Doctors i-epaired to Coosa Country Club 
for barbecue; at morning session passed resolutions giving to Dr. Crawford W. 
Long credit for the discovery of anesthesia, and calling on the Legislature to 
appropriate money to put his statue in Statuary Hall at Washington. 

6 — Doctors adjourned. 

9 — Baseball at Hamilton Park opened season in Georgia State League: Lindale 
3, Rome 2 (15 innings). 

14 — Rome Curb Market opened opposite postoffice on Fourth Avenue, with Mrs. 
Hamilton Yancey, Jr. and Mrs. Bessie B. Troutman, president of the Women's 
Auxiliary of the Chamber of Commerce, and Chief of Police Charlie Harris in 
charge. Aurora Borealis seen in sky near midnight; got Thos. Colegate out of 
bed. 

18 — Third Boy and Girl Scout trip, to Black's Bluff, Coosa River, on Annie H. At 
Macon: Drill team of Rome Commandery No. 8, Knights Templar, Chas. N. 
Burks, drillmaster, won $100 Liberty Bond for drill. 

20 — Shorter College's 47th Commencement started. 

21 — Shorter players staged Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." 
2 — Municipal band stand in City Hall Park presented to City of Rome by Wo- 
men's Club through Mrs. W. M. Henry and accepted by E. E. Lindsey for City. 
Rev. J. Ellis Sammons delivered baccalaureate sermon at Shorter College. 



o 



Miscellaneous — 1920-1921 Chronology 



481 




A SUBSTANTIAL AMPHITHEATER FOR ORATORICAL FIREWORKS. 

The Floyd County Court House, built in 1892-93 by Jos. B. Patton, contractor, and which 
replaced the old structure of Court (East First) Street, where barristers had pleaded the cause 
of justice for half a century. The northern outlook is upon the Oostanaula River. 



482 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

Princess Rahme Haider, of Syria, and Miss Lucille Burgess in performance at 
Fifth Avenue Baptist church. 

23 — Rev. Wm. Russell Owen, of Macon, delivered Shorter Commencement oration; 
award of diplomas and barbecue at "Maplehurst." Berry Schools summer sea- 
son opened. 

26 — Rev. Elam F. Dempsey spoke at Edmonia Newman Institute graduation exer- 
cises at First Baptist church. Darlington School commencement in East Rome. 

27 — Chautauqua Week opened; performances in tent behind City Auditorium. 

31 — Ben Greet Players on Chautauqua program. 

JUNE— 
3— Ralph Bingham, Philadelphia humorist, delighted large Chautauqua crowd. 
5 — North Georgia Fair Association directors elected H. A. Dean president; John 
M. Berry first vice-president; H. H. Shackelton second vice-president; James 
M. Harris treasurer and Lester C. Bush secretary. 
6 — Women held mass meeting in favor of issue of $750,000 road bonds for Floyd 
County. 
16 — Floyd County's $750,000 road bond issue carried by 3,102 to 67. 
21 — District School performance at City Auditorium as benefit for Women's Aux- 
iliary of Chamber of Commerce. 

JULY— 

1 — Judge Moses Wright, Barry Wright and Harry P. Meikleham speakers at Lin- 
dale, when Massachusetts Mills Auditorium is accepted by American Legion as 
memorial to Lindale men who lost lives in World War. 
2 — Greenwich, Conn.: J. Simpson Dean, Princeton 1921, of Rome, won Intercol- 
legiate Golf championship, defeating Jesse Sweetser and others. 
4 — Double header baseball game at Hamilton Park: Lindale 5 — 2, Rome 2 — 3. 

Motor boats active all day on rivers. 
7 — Opening gun fired in fight to extend city limits of Rome and include 7,000 more 
people and revenue. Doctors returned from Seventh District Society meeting 
at Calhoun. Adj. Gen. Peter C. Harris told Rotary Club at Hotel Forrest ha 
hoped for early end of all wars. 
9 — Municipal swimming pool project started. 

13 — Robt. W. Van Tassel, of Lindale, made Colonel on Governor Hardwick's staff. 
16 — Mrs. J. Lindsay Johnson sold controlling interest in Rome Tribune-Herald to 

J. Ed Maddox, Thos. W. Lipscomb, E. E. Lindsey and associates. 
27 — "Sequoyah," house boat built by Scoutmaster Ed King's Boy Scout Troop 2, 
launched on Oostanaula river in Fourth Ward before large crowd; prayer by 
Rev. J. L. Hodges; principal speakers, James Maddox and Claire J. Wyatt. 
80 — Rev. Harry F. Joyner's Maple Street Community House playground and gym- 
nasium opened in East Rome. 
31 (Sunday) — Notice given of approaching city Clean-up Week. 

AUGUST— 
3 — Committees named for Home-coming Week, October 10-16. 
8 — Limits extension bill introduced in Georgia Legislature, Atlanta, by Hon. John 
Camp Davis, of Floyd. 

11 — News — Kiwanis dairying and creamery project commended at Hotel Forrest 
luncheon by Roland Turner, of Southern Railway Development Service. Rotary 
Club, Walter S. Cothran, president, started city planning project. 

19 — Kiwanis Club and Women's Auxiliary of the Chamber of Commerce presented 
Miss Frances Brown, lyric soprano, in song recital at City Auditorium. 

20 — Dr. Carl Betts, Richard A. Denny, Jr., and Edward Hine winners of finals 
cups in North Georgia Tennis Tournament at Coosa Country Club. 

21 (Sunday) — Judge John C. Printup launched movement to erect monument to 
Floyd County boys who lost lives in World War. 

22 — Hughes T. Reynolds, Kiwanis Club president, and W. E. Bowers, county agri- 
cultural agent, addressed one-day farm institute members at Berry School. Dr. 
Carl Betts' Scout Troop 4 off for Ship Island, Oostanaula River, on Annie H. 



Miscellaneous — 1920-1921 Chronology 



483 




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484 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

23 — Floyd County Sunday School Association Convention at Berry Schools. 

24 — Barclay Terhune, Chulio District farmer, again brought to Rome first bale of 
cotton of season; sold to Taul B. White at 21% cents a pound. 

26 — Congressman Gordon Lee got Howitzer at Camp Jackson, S. C, for memorial 
to Floyd County boys of World War. 

27 — Coosa Country Club held swimming and diving contests. Miss Helen Knox 
Spain started Rome Musical Center on Lower Broad Street, with touch of Bo- 
hemia. Floyd County Farm Bureau's first annual picnic at Morrison's Camp 
Ground. 

SEPTEMBER— 

2 — Rev. S. E. Wasson, of Atlanta, and Rev. Horace Freeman, of Newnan, offici- 
ated at military funeral at First Methodist church of Lieut. Walton Shanklin, 
U. S. A., killed in France Oct. 15, 1918, in Argonne Forest drive. City Com- 
mission refused petition of Rome Municipal Gas Co. for increased gas rate. 
Lee J. Langley, attorney, appointed by Governor Hardwick member of State 
Waterway and Canal Commission. Girls' School at Mt. Berry opened. 
3 — Hugh L. Hodgson, pianist, and T. Goodwin, both of Athens, motored through 

Rome on way home from Chattanooga tennis tournament. 
5 (Labor Day) — Boy Scout swimming and diving events at "Head of Coosa." 
Motor boat races won by Fred Hoffman's "A. M. L." Baseball, double header: 
Lindale 6—2, Rome 2—1. 
6 — Rome committee failed to make connection at Cartersville with Dixie tourists 
going to Cincinnati from Jacksonville. Cotton up; 20 cents a pound. 

10 — Miss Nettie Dickerson, 60, of Cave Spring, killed in auto accident on Alabama 
Road. Fifty Rome girls nominated for Home-coming Queen. 

11 (Sunday) — Rev. and Mrs. G. Campbell Morgan and Misses E. and K. Morgan 
and Howard Morgan, their children, had supper at the Hotel Forrest en route 
to their new home in Athens, Ga. Gordon L. Hight returned from Chicago 
radio convention. 

12 — LaGrange won Georgia State League baseball pennant from Lindale. Etowah 
River clearer than the Oostanaula at Rome. 

13 — Jas. A. Holloman, of Washington, addressed Kiwanis Club at Hotel Forrest on 
tax problems. Fatty Arbuckle movie pictures at Elite Theatre called off by 
Manager O. C. Lam. Main leak under Oostanaula River at Fifth Avenue caused 
City Manager Sam S. King to cut off water for about 10 hours for Fourth 
Ward, West Rome and Berry Schools. 

15 — Shorter College opened forty-eighth annual session with 207 girls from 16 
states; 135 from Georgia, 15 from Alabama, 15 from Florida and 12 from Ten- 
nessee. Senator Wm. J. Harris, of Cedartown, on visit to Rome and Berry 
Schools. 

16 — Roman Minstrels put on Red Cross benefit performance at City Auditorium. 

17 — Robt. M. Gibson winner over Arthur S. West of Coosa Country Club golf 
trophy. 

20 — Public meeting addressed by Linton A. Dean, Bernard S. Fahy, Byard F. 
Quigg, H. H. Shackelton, Rev. W. M. Barnett and Gordon Watson, urging more 
money for public schools. 

21 — John Robinson's circus in Fourth Ward. 

22 — Salvation Army drive opened with W. L. Shaddix in charge. Dr. Elizabeth 

B. Reed, of the U. S. Public Health Service, Washington, spoke at the Berry 

Schools. 

23 — Miss Madeline Cashin, of Peoria, His., put on local amateur players in "O, 
Cindy!" Gay Jespersen's Lindale band signed for North Georgia Fair, Octo- 
ber 10-15. 

24— Congressman Gordon Lee visited Curb Market. Bowie Stove Works destroyed 
in East Rome fire with loss of $100,000. 

OCTOBER— 

1— Football on Darlington Field, East Rome: Central High School (Chattanooga) 
7, Darlington School 6. 

2 — Jewish New Year celebrated two days. 




^A^/^ 



a^C 



486 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



3 — Mass meeting at City Auditorium discussed city limits extension and proposed 
McLin cotton mill. 

8 — Miss Louise Berry elected Queen of Home-coming week and ball. Football at 
Hamilton Field : Rome High School 30, Disque of Gadsden 0. 
10 — Fritz Lieber, Shakespearean player, in "The Merchant of Venice" at City Audi- 
torium. Governor Thomas W. Hardwick, of Atlanta, spoke at opening of North 
Georgia Fair on state tax and revenue problems. 

11 — Horse races at fair, George Stiles winning. Principal speaker for day, Lee 
J. Langley. 

12 — Horse races at fair. Principal speaker, State Senator J. H. Mills, of Butts Co. 

14 — Home-coming day at Fair. Races. Miss Louise Berry crowned Queen by H. A. 
Dean, following addresses by H. H. Shackelton, home-coming chairman, and 
Hon. Wright Willingham. Hon. Claude H. Porter spoke under auspices of the 
League of Women Voters in favor of disarmament and peace. Day's attend- 
ance, 10,000. Queen's Ball at Shrine Hall at night, Fred Malone acting as King. 

14 — Dairy Day at Fair. Roland Turner and J. F. Bazemore, speakers. Races. 
Boy Scouts in Indian pageant at night. Football at Marietta, Ga.: Rome High 
School 6, Marietta High School 0. 

16 (Sunday) — Mrs. John R. Barclay assured of strong support in race for Rome 
postmastership. W. A. Parker, of Community Service, New York, N. Y., spoke 
at First Methodist and First Christian churches on need of more recreational 
and outdoor facilities in Rome as an aid to healthful and wholesome young citi- 
zenship. 

21 — Football at Hamilton Field: Rome High School 25, Marist College (Atlanta) 7. 




MAKING THE MOST OF WAR CONDITIONS. 

"Big John" Underwood, the grocer, "steered" away from Rome, according to "Bill 
Arp's Scrap Book," to accept a commission at Savannah as a member of the staff of 
Gov. Jos. E. Brown Lacking harness, he employed other means. "Big John" was in 
the Georgia Guard detail which arrested John Howard Payne in 1835. Many other 
Romans refugeed from the city from 1863 to 1865. 



Tabloid Facts 



Did You Know That — 

"Chiaha" was the Indian for "Otter Place" (now Rome) ? 

Bayard Franklin Jones, New York artist, was born in Rome in 1869? 

Alexander H. Stephens, Benj. H. Hill and Alfred Iverson visited Rome in the 
same week in 1860? 

James Noble, Jr., and associates founded the Rome Volunteer Fire Department? 
Henry W. Grady was a member of Rainbow Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1? 

Judge John W. Hooper moved from Cassville to Rome directly after the Civil 
War? 

George Barnsley, of Barnsley Gardens, Bartow County, before 1861 boarded 
with Mrs. J. G. Yeiser on Third Avenue, and Frank L. Stanton lived there for a 
short time? 

Major Wm. A. Patton, stationed at headquarters telephones, helped direct 
sector artillery operations in the World War battles of St. Mihiel and the Argonne, 
France? 

John Hume brought the first bath-tub to Rome, from Charleston, about 1850? 
Daniel R. Mitchell owned the first piano? 

Coosa Old Town was an Indian village on the Coosa River near Rome, South 
Rome side, and was destroyed on or about Oct. 17, 1793, by Gen. John Sevier, 
ancestor of numerous Romans? 

An erratic character known to the Cherokee Indians as the "Widow Fool" 
operated a ferry in 1819 at the forks of the Oostanaula and Hightower (Etowah) 
Rivers? 

Miss Eliza Frances Andrews, botanist, has had her habitat in Rome since 1911? 

Major Ridge's ferry, opposite his home on the Oostanaula, was seized in 1835 
by a white man named Garrett, who claimed Ridge would not run it or let any- 
body else run it? 

Father Ryan, Indiana poet, once visited Rome to see about the Kane property 
in New York, and was the guest of Mrs. Mary Adkins, mother of Wm. H. Adkins? 

Thos. A. Wheat, of Ridge Valley, loaded the first ten-inch Mortar cartridge 
fired at Fort Sumter in 1861? 

The Santa Anna silver service, captured by Houston at the Battle of San 
Jacinto, was once the property of Henry Pope at Pope's Ferry? 

Heavy guns furnished the Cherokee Artillery by the Nobles were captured by 
Gen. Sherman at Resaca? 

Before Barney Swimmer and Terrapin, Cherokees, were hung on Broad Street 
for robbing and murdering Ezekiel Blatchford (or Braselton), of Hall County, 
a land seeker, in 1837, they were allowed to take a last swim under guard at the 
forks of the Etowah and the Oostanaula? 

"Ga-la-gi-na" ("male deer" or "turkey") who later took the name of Elias 
Boudinot, president of Congress, was born in the present Floyd County in 1803? 

"Stand Watie", Major Ridge's brother, who commanded a regiment of Indians 
in the Civil War as Confederates, lived near Rome? 

Clyde Moore Shropshire, speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, 
Nashville, ran for Governor of Tennessee in 1918? 

Col. Benj. Cudworth Yancey served in the Legislatures of South Carolina, 
Alabama and Georgia? 

Rome once had thirteen whisky saloons? 

Jack King was the second of Capt. Jno. D. Williamson in the Calhoun-William- 
son duel. Dr. Henry Halsey Battey was his physician, and Capt. Jno. J. Seay and 
John G. Taylor were spectators? 

William Smith owned a horse-race track between the forks of the rivers? 

Col. Chas. Iverson Graves was in charge of the Confederate Naval School at 
Richmond, Va., in the Civil War, and in 1865 sent his wife and son, Chas. I. 
Graves, Jr., then a baby, in a covered wagon to Georgia from Richmond, in 
company with Mrs. Jefferson Davis? 



488 A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Prize chicken fights used to be held in cock-pits on Broad Street? 

Terrell Speed, Oostanaula River fisherman and trapper, was known as "The 
Coonskin Statesman," and that a cigar was named after him? 

Judge William H. Underwood, father of Congressman Jno. W. H. Underwood, 
represented the Indians in claims against the Government, and sleeps in an un- 
marked grave in the old Seventh Avenue Cemetery, Rome? 

The organ played by George Whitefield, the great churchman, at Savannah, 
once was installed in St. Peter's Episcopal Church? 

Fourteen thousand Cherokees, headed by John Ross and others, marched afoot 
600 miles to "The Arkansaw" in 1838 and 1839, and 4,500 of them died of disease 
or exposure, or were slain by United States troops, and the pilgrimage was known 
as "The Trail of Tears"? 

Cave Spring, on Little Cedar Creek, was incorporated with a "growth radius" 
of 1/4 mile and is an older town than Rome, and Rome is older than Atlanta? 

The Bowies of Rome were descended from Gen. Bowie, of Alamo and "Bowie 
knife" fame? 

Col. Nicholas James Bayard, Roman, was descended from Chevalier Bayard, 
the great Frenchman? 

The Cherokees used to play a game similar to football? 

Some historians claim that Ferdinand DeSoto, Spanish cavalier, spent nearly 
30 days on the site of the present Rome in 1540? 

Part of the Fourth Ward of Rome has always been called "DeSoto"? 

The region north of the Chattahoochee River, some 25 counties, was called 
"Cherokee Georgia" before the Civil War? 

John Ross, principal chief of the Cherokees, lived several years in DeSoto and 
started his letters "Head of Coosa"? 

Major Ridge, leader of the Treaty Party of the Indians, lived from 1794 to 
3 837, 43 years, up the Oostanaula River two miles from Rome? 

The Cherokees were the most intelligent nation of Indians on the North Amer- 
ican continent? 

Sequoyah, who invented the Cherokee alphabet, lived in the adjoining county 
of Chattooga, near Alpine? 

Gen. John Floyd, of Fairfield Plantation, Camden County, made possible 
the peaceful settlement of Floyd County by dispersing Indian bands in Alabama? 
Also that Floyd County was named for him in 1832 when "Cherokee Georgia" 
was broken up into counties? 

The county seat of Floyd County for about two years was Livingston, down the 
Coosa River? 

Rome was founded in 1834 by Zachariah B. Hargrove, Philip W. Hemphill and 
Daniel R. Mitchell, lawyers, and William Smith, planter? 

Names were drawn from a hat, and one put in by Col. Mitchell — Rome — was 
chosen? 

Three of the four founders of Rome lie buried in Myrtle Hill? 

William Smith built Rome's first steamboat, the William Smith? 

Rome once depended upon her steamboat trade for her life? 

Rome came near being placed on the main line of the W. & A. Railroad between 
Chattanooga and Atlanta? 

Rome sent four men to Congress before the Civil War? 

Rome has sent two men to Congress since the Civil War? 

Floyd and several adjoining counties have never furnished a Governor? 

Gen. Beauregard said after the First Battle of Manassas, "I lift my hat to the 
Eighth Georgia Regiment! (Rome companies). History will never forget you!"? 

Gen. Forrest, with 410 Confederates, Sunday, May 3, 1863, captured 1,466 
Union soldiers, marched them into Rome and saved it from destruction? 

Forrest was given the finest horse in Rome by Col. A. M. Sloan, and admiring 
women cut off locks of his hair? 

The celebrated "Green Corn Dances'" of the Cherokee Indians used to be held 
on the lawn of Chief Ridge's home? 



Miscellan eous — Tabloid Facts 489 

Maj. C. A. De La Mesa, U. S. A., hung a large American flag over Broad 
street in Reconstruction days and forced ex-Confederates and civilians to sa- 
lute it? 

Col. Marrast Perkins has served with the Marines all over the world? 

Rome's first real cyclone came Saturday, April 16, 1921, and resulted in a loss of 
no lives? 

The first Mrs. Woodrow Wilson lies buried beside her parents. Rev. and Mrs. 
Saml. Edward Axson, in Myrtle Hill Cemetery? 

The term "Cherokee" means "Upland Fields"? 

A Congressman — Judge John H. Lumpkin — sleeps in the old Seventh Avenue 
Cemetery? 

Henry Grady was accustomed as a Rome newspaper editor to scratch notes on 
his cuffs? That his trunk was attached when he left Rome for Atlanta, and his 
wedding silver was threatened? 

The Rev. Sam P. Jones did not start fighting liquor until after he had left 
Rome? 

Major Chas. H. Smith ("Bill Arp") wrote a saucy open letter in 1861 to "Abe 
Linkhorn"? The original Bill Arp was a Chulio District farmer? Major Smith 
was a law partner of Judge Joel Branham and Judge J. W. H. Underwood? 

Theodore P. Shonts, Chicago and New York traction magnate, came to Rome 
about 1900 to select a school for his daughters, Theodora and Marguerite, and on 
requesting a negro cabman to take him to the most interesting spot in town, was 
driven to Myrtle Hill Cemetery? 

The Noble Foundry made cannon for the Confederacy in the Civil War, and 
the machine lathe that bored them is still in use at the Davis Foundry & Ma- 
chine Shop? 

Rome's business district was burned by Sherman's army in 1864, and the mes- 
sage that brought his orders to march to the sea was sent from Rome? 

Chas. Morgan Seay, actor and playwright, formerly made motion pictures 
for Thos. A. Edison, and has had 50 photoplays produced? 

Gen. Jos. E. Johnston, C. S. A., visited Rome Dec. 3, 1868, as the guest of 
Major Chas. H. Smith? 

Henry A. Gartrell, uncle of Henry W. Grady, was mayor of Rome in 1860, 
and moved to Athens in 1865? 

Mayor Zach Hargrove once issued $50,000 of local money to meet a financial 
stringency, and was called to account by the Federal authorities? 

A sword hilt, a carved pipe and piece of breastplate were unearthed at Rome 
which are believed to have belonged to Ferdinand DeSoto? 

The old Seventh Avenue Cemetery was abandoned and Myrtle Hill established 
in 1857? 

Martha Baldwin Smith (Mrs. Robt. Battey) was the first white child to be 
brought into Floyd County? 

The first monument to the Women of the Confederacy was erected in Rome? 

Rome was vi&ited Saturday, Oct. 8, 1910, by Theodore Roosevelt, and President 
Harding spoke to her citizens Friday, Jan. 21, 1921? 

Woodrow Wilson was visiting an aunt, Mrs. J. W. Bones, at Rome, when he 
met his first wife, Ellen Lou Axson? 

Mrs. Wilson's father, the Rev. Saml. Edward Axson, accepted the pastorate 
of the First Presbyterian Church in 1866 without any promise of salary? 

The benches of Rome churches were used to build pontoon bridges during the 
Civil War? 

Church basements were used to quarter horses of the Northern Army? 

William Jennings Bryan, Wm. G. McAdoo, Col. Roosevelt, Dr. Albert Shaw, 
Miss Ida M. Tarbell andDr. Howard A. Kelly have addressed the students of the 
famous Berry Schools? 

The Berry Schools constantly refuse admission to the sons of wealthy fathers? 

Rome's Belgian Colony settled at Carlier Springs, three miles east of the city? 

Dr. Louis Mathieu Edouard Berckmans, native Belgian, was a skilled violinist 
and maintained a hermit's retreat at Mt. Alto? 



490 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

Chief John Ross as a boy was known as "Tsan-usdi" ("Little John"), and later 
as "Koo-wes-koo-wee" ("Swan")? 

Chief Ridge was called "Ka-nun-ta-cla-ge" ("Man who walks on the ridges 
or mountain tops") ? 

Prof. J. J. Darlington furnished the inspiration for the establishment of the 
Darlington School? 

Gen. John B. Gordon attended school at Hearn Academy, Cave Spring? 

Lavender Mountain and Lavender Village were named after George Michael 
Lavender, pioneer trading post man? 

Ferries were a profitable industry before Rome's bridges were built? 
Col. John H. Wisdom rode like Paul Revere to warn Romans of the approach 
of the Federals from Gadsden in May, 1863? 

Rome entertained Governors Jos. E. Brown, Herschel V. Johnson, John B. 
Gordon and other executives? 

Benj. Cudworth Yancey, brother of Wm. L. Yancey, of Alabama, secession 
leader, served as minister to Argentina? Also that he was slated for Ambassador 
to Great Britain by President Buchanan when Civil War complications interfered? 

A casual Roman — Capt. John D. Williamson — participated in the last affair of 
honor in the South under the code duello, with Pat Calhoun, of Atlanta, near Cedar 
Bluff, Ala., Saturday, Aug. 10, 1889? 

A Roman — Wm. G. Campbell — established a world's record for looping-the- 
loop in an aeroplane? 

Jim Montgomery created the "Velvet Joe" tobacco advertising? 
Chas. Iverson Graves served abroad in the Khedive of Egypt's' army? 

Thomas Berry and Col. J. G. Yeiser once commanded American troops on the 
Mexican border? 

Two Romans — Rev. G. A. Nunnally and Seaborn Wright — once ran for Gov- 
ernor on the Prohibition ticket, and Seaborn Wright was mentioned for President? 
Hooper Alexander ran for Governor and Congress? 

John Temple Graves once ran for Vice-President on the Independent ticket? 

Col. J. Lindsay Johnson served as census director of the Philippines and died 
in the islands? 

Donald Harper, Paris lawyer, is a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor? 

"Lord Beresford's" real name was Sidney Lascelles, and that he wrote a book- 
let about Rome? 

Stockton Axson, brother of Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, was born at Rome in 1867? 

The site of Rome 381 years ago was possibly an island? 

Col. Cunningham M. Pennington laid before the Confederate Cabinet in 1861 
at Montgomery a plan for an armored warship? 

Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest hitched his horse where the Hotel Forrest now 
stands? 

Danl. R. Mitchell was known as the father of the Rome bar? 

A Confederate signal station was operated on Eighth avenue during the Fed- 
eral occupation of Rome in 1864? 

n. '^K^ bachelors of "Poverty Hall" some 25 years ago bought a tract of land on 
Mt. Alto with the idea of building a lodge? 

Judge John H. Lumpkin died on the veranda of the Choice House (later the 
Central Hotel), July 10, 1860, while conversing with political friends? 
Howard Tinsley is in the consular service at Montevideo, Uruguay? 

A locomotive of the Rome Railroad, called the "Wm. R. Smith," was used 
April 12, 1862, in the pursuit past Kingston after Andrews' Wild Raiders on the 
"General"? 

The Nobles tested Confederate cannon by shooting them into a bluff across the 
Etowah River during the Civil War? 

A steamer steamed up Broad street to Third avenue in the flood, March 
31, 1886? 

Dr. George Magruder Battey, of the Augustus N. Verdery place, "Riverbank 
Farm," had one of the finest poultry establishments in the United States? 




/y^i/Ty^^€^^ 



492 A History of Rome and Fl oyd County 

Rev. Luther R. Gwaltney first suggested to Col. Alfred Shorter the establish- 
ment of Shorter College? 

Capt. Francis Marion Coulter built a dozen steamboats at Rome? 

Telamon Cruger Smith-Cuyler shook hands with Grover Cleveland and King 
Edward VII of England? 

Sproull Fouche filled the post of American vice-consul at Bucharest, Rou- 
mania? 

Rome and Georgia doctors held indignation meetings and threatened to lynch 
Dr. Robert Battey for performing the Battey operation, Aug. 27, 1872? Also 
that Dr. Battey defended himself so ably at a meeting in the State Capitol, At- 
lanta, that Henry W. Grady referred to him as the "Cicero of the Georgia Medical 
Profession"? Dr. Battey was a civil engineer, then pharmacist, and had six chil- 
dren before he practised medicine? In his youth he clerked in a dry goods store at 
Detroit, Mich., for Zach Chandler, later United States Senator? 

Col. Hamilton Yancey roomed with Henry W. Grady at the University of 
Georgia, Athens, and was one of his groomsmen at his marriage in Athens to 
Miss Julia King.? 

Col. Alfred Shorter nearly always walked to town, a mile, from "Thornwood," 
his West Rome home, with his walking stick under his arm? 

"Maplehurst," home place of the president of Shorter College, was bought in 
January, 1869, by Capt. J. M. Selkirk, of Charleston, and later became the prop- 
erty of Hugh T. Inman, of Atlanta, and Joe L. Bass, of Rome? 

Dunlap Scott, member of the Legislature, passed around a petition March 20, 
1872, for a bill admitting Forrestville (North Rome) into Rome? North Rome 
was first called Woodville? 

Judge Joel Branham about 50 years ago enjoined owners from selling the face 
of Myrtle Hill Cemetery to negroes for residence purposes? 

The Nobles left Rome and founded Anniston, Ala., because they thought East 
Rome land they wanted for their foundry extensions was priced too high? 

Other names suggested for Rome were Hillsboro, Hamburg, Warsaw and 
Pittsburg? Also that South Rome along the Etowah River was once known as 
Hillsboro? Also that the Etowah was sometimes known as "Hightower"? 

The Rev. Marcellus Lyttleton Troutman, Methodist minister of Pope's Ferry, 
graduated at the University of Georgia law school after he was 50? 

Generals of the Northern Army occupying Rome in 1864 accused prominent 
Rome women of supplying the Confederates with information by "underground 
telephone"? 

A Cherokee Indian returned from Indian Territory about 40 years ago and 
dug for buried treasure on the Sproull (Haynes-Howel) place, north of Rome? 

Soldiers of the Union Army dug into graves in North Rome, searching for gold 
and silver plate? 

Colquitt's Scouts hung Col. L. D. Burwell several minutes by the neck to 
make him tell where his money was hid? Also that Mrs. Robt. Battey concealed 
$500 in gold in her stockings and shoes for him? 

Rome women used "smoke house salt" during the Civil War? 

Miss Florence Fouche, the newly-wed wife of Capt. Edward Jones Magruder, 
of the Rome Light Guards, went marching off to war with him with pistol and 
dagger in her belt? 

Mrs. Hiram Hill sent the Mitchell Guards away with a speech and a silk 
battle flag? 

The Rome Courier, Capt. Melville Dwinell, editor, used to swap subscriptions 
for stove wood and "anything that could be eaten or worn"? 

Danl. R. Mitchell gave the land on which the First Methodist Church origi- 
nally stood on Sixth avenue? 

Bishop Thos. Fielding Scott, of Marietta, founded St. Peter's Episcopal Church 
in Rome? 

Alfred Shorter was a Baptist? 

Ivy Ledbetter Lee, publicity director of the Standard Oil Co., New York, lived 
in Rome more than two years? 

Bauxite was first mined in Floyd County? 



Miscellaneous — Tabloid Facts 



493 




/% 



J 




MISS MARY DARLINGTON, of Washington, 
D. C, first graduate (in 1877) of Shorter 
College, and sister of J. J. Darlington. 



J. J. DARLINGTON, lawyer and educator, 
who taught many Romans and whose gene- 
rosity made possible the Darlington School. 



The "Pony Clubs" were white men who blacked their faces and robbed the 
Indians, between 1830 and 1839? 

Capt. Reuben Grove Clark donated $3,000 toward the Sunday School room of 
the First Presbyterian Church in 1896, and it was named the Rosalie Clark Me- 
morial? 

Prof. Palemon J. King was once the best-known school teacher in Floyd County? 

Prof. Hay Watson Smith was a Presbyterian preacher as well as a teacher? 

Miss Elizabeth Lanier, granddaughter of Sidney Lanier, the poet, spent a 
week from Jan. 24, 1921, at the Berry Schools? That Dr. Albert Shaw, of New 
York, editor of the American Review of Reviews, visited Berry April 21-26, 1921, 
with Mrs. Shaw and called the school idea the greatest in America? 

The late Dr. A. W. Van Hoose, president of Shorter College, taught young 
ladies for 40 years? 

Mrs. Woodrow Wilson attended the Rome Female College? 

Joshua Daniel, grandfather of Lucian L. Knight, state historian, owned a 
plantation up the Oostanaula River? 

Daniel R. Mitchell sold the Mitchell plantation of 2,500 acres, up the Oosta- 
naula, including Whitmore's Bluff and Island, in 1863, for $80,000 in Confederate 
money in preference to $60,000 in gold? 

Chief John Ross was arrested in Tennessee in 1835 near Spring Place, Murray 
County, with John Howard Payne, author of "Home, Sweet Home," and John H. 
("Big John") Underwood, of Rome, was one of their military guard? 

Ross offered to sell the Cherokee lands to the Government for $20,000,000, 
but the proposition of his rival, Ridge, for $5,000,000, was accepted? 

Major Ridge was breveted by General Andrew Jackson for bravery at the 
Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Tallapoosa River, Alabama, March, 1814? Also that 
the Cherokees nicknamed Jackson "Straight Talk"? 

Judge Jas. M. Spullock, superintendent of the W. & A. (State) Railroad, con- 
tracted with the Noble Foundry for the construction of the first locomotive built 



494 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

of native materials in the South, the Alfred Shorter (1856), at $11,000, and Gov- 
ernor Jos. E. Brown refused to pay such an "excessive price"? 

John Ridge (son of Major Ridge) and his sister, Sally, were educated in the 
East, and were accomplished musicians? 

In June, 1839, at an Indian Territory settlement, Major Ridge was shot to 
death from ambush; his son John was killed with knives, and Elias Boudinot, 
editor of the Cherokee Phoenix, was hacked to death with tomahawks by Chero- 
kees who claimed they had betrayed the Nation? 

The first automobile in Rome was driven from Atlanta by Edward H. Inman? 

Boiling Sulivan owned the first pneumatic tire bicycle? 

John Temple Graves rode a "big and little wheel" bicycle dressed in a silk hat? 

The Mayo Bar Lock ("lock and dam") was named after Micajah Mayo? 

Motor boating is now a popular sport in Rome? 

The steamboats have practically disappeared? 

Boy and Girl Scout organizations in Rome are among the livest in the State? 

Rome lends itself more readily to development by the city beautiful plan 
than nearly any city in Georgia? 

Rome and Floyd County commercial, educational, religious and social advan- 
tages are unsurpassed, and climate and water are of the best? 

Rome and Floyd County have produced or sheltered the following: Congress- 
men Augustus R. Wright, Thos. C. Hackett, John H. Lumpkin, Jno. W. H. Under- 
wood, Judson C. Clements, John W. Maddox and Milford W. Howard; 
United States Senators H. V. M. Miller and Wm. J. Harris; Comptroller General 
John T. Burns. Attorney General Richard A. Denny, Assistant Attorney General 
Graham Wright; William H. Hidell, secretary to Alexander H. Stephens; John 
Johnathan Pratt, inventor of the pterotype (typewriter) ; Col. B. F. Sawyer, in- 
ventor of the paper bag and a newspaper press; James Noble, Sr., and his six 
sons, the "Iron Kings"; Frank L. Stanton; the Rev. Jas. W. Lee; Jas. W. Lee, 
Jr., New York advertising expert; Major Chas. H. Smith ("Bill Arp") ; Mont- 
gomery M. Folsom; Jno. Locke Martin; Jos. A. Magnus; Israel S. Jonas; Jno. H. 
Towers, naval aviator; Gen. Wm. L. Marshall; Eliza Frances Andrews, botanist; 
Miss Martha Berry; Geo. B. Ward, mayor of Birmingham; Arthur W. Tedcastle, 
shoe merchant; Jno. W. Bale, speaker pro tem of the Georgia Legislature and 
later Indian claim agent; Edward A. Heard, New York dry goods merchant; Will 
McKee, Boston shoe merchant; Edward E. Magill, of St. Louis; Dr. Elijah L. 
Connally, M. B. Wellborn, Walter C. Taylor and Walter G. Cooper, of Atlanta; 
Dr. Julius Caesar LeHardy de Beaulieu, yellow fever expert of Savannah; Eugene 
LeHardy de Beaulieu, chief construction engineer of the Selma, Rome & Dalton 
Railroad ; Prof. Wesley O. Connor and Prof. Jas. Coffee Harris, principals of the 
Georgia School for the Deaf, Cave Spring; Gen. Francis S. Bartow, of Savan- 
nah and the Confederate Army; Col. B. F. Sawyer, Geo. T. Stovall, Phil Glenn 
Byrd, Melville Dwinell, John Temple Graves, J. B. Nevin, J. Lindsay Johnson, M. A. 
Nevin, Chas. H. Smith ("Bill Arp"), W. A. Knowles and A. B. S. Moseley, 
newspaper editors; Gen. James Hemphill, of Mississippi; Joseph Watters, Dun- 
lap Scott, William Smith and James Wells, Legislators; Dr. W. C. Doss, of Col- 
lege Park, Ga., and Allie Watters, of Atlanta, inventors of the Doss puncture- 
proof automobile tire; J. H. Lanham, inventor of the Lanham cotton cultivator; 
Thos. F. Pierce, Wm. M. Crumley, Atticus G. Haygood, Alex M. Thigpen, Wm. H. 
LaPrade, Sr., Gen. Clement A. Evans, Weyman H. Potter, T, R. Kendall, Sr., W. 
F. Quillian, S. R. Belk, J. H. Eakes, B. F. Eraser, C. O. Jones, Walker Lewis, S. E. 
Wasson, Chas. H. Stillwell, W. M. Bridges, J. M. M. Caldwell, George T. 
Goetchius, Sam P. Jones, G. G. Sydnor, C. B. Hudgins, Father M. J. Clifford, and 
Marcellus L. Troutman. among ministers; L. P. Hammond, T. R. Garlington, 
James Banks Underwood, G. W. Holmes, Robert Battey, J. B. S. Holmes and Henry 
H. Battey, among doctors; John Temple Graves, Jr., and James Montgomery, au- 
thors; Gordon L. Hight, wireless expert; Hooper Alexander, United States District 
Attorney, and David J. Meyerhardt, Assistant United States District Attorney? 



Items from the "Press 



A SPLENDID METEOR— On last 
Thursday night we were so fortunate 
as to behold one of those grand meteoric 
phenomena of which we had often read, 
but never before witnessed. A little 
before 10 o'clock our attention was at- 
tracted by a streak of pale white light 
which seemed to proceed from the 
moon. It moved with great rapidity 
across the sky, increasing in brilliancy 
and size, until about half way its ca- 
reer, it appeared as large as the full 
moon, its body as dazzling as the sun, 
surrounded by a beautiful purple and 
blue light, and followed by a stream of 
fire a foot or two in length. Just be- 
fore it apparently reached the earth it 
changed to a red ball of fire, and ex- 
ploding with a cracking noise, threw off 
fragments in every direction and disap- 
peared. Its course was from southeast 
to the north and was visible not more 
than half a minute, but in that time 
traversed nearly the entire arch of the 
firmament, hundreds of miles in length. 
Although the moon, which was shining 
very brightly, was completely eclipsed, 
yet if that luminary had been below 
the horizon the effect would have been 
grander, if possible. 

None of the meteors recently seen, 
of which graphic accounts have reached 
us, could have excelled this in magnifi- 
cence and sublimity. Its size, brilliancy 
and velocity excited in the beholder sen- 
sations of mingled awe and admiration. 
It impressed us as a spai-k from the 



glory of Heaven, appearing for a little 
while to remind man of the existence 
of an avenging God and the doom of 
this wicked world, and then as if to 
remind him of His mercy also, it speed- 
ily vanished, lest he might gaze upon 
it and perish. — Rome Tri-Weekly Cour- 
ier, 1860. 



TOM COLEGATE SUSPECTED— 
Don't know whether Thomas Colegate, 
prominent advocate of the single tax 
system, and resident of the Fifth Ward, 
had anything to do with it, but it mat- 
ters not whether he was the cause of 
this week-end of rain or not, he is re- 
sponsible for a great deal of disap- 
pointment on the part of ardent lovers. 

Last week, getting out his books on 
the stars and other things in the heav- 
ens, he made the discovery that on 
the night of November 27 the old world 
would pass through the tail of Biela's 
Comet, or rather what had been the 
tail, and that as it did the country 
would be treated to a great and grand 
shower of shooting stars. 

This show comes about by reason of 
the fact that this comet has become di- 
vided against itself and is now only a 
mass of flying fragments, having 
broken in half a number of years ago, 
and is continually breaking up since 
that time. 

Now, with the warning of the shoot- 
ing stars for the twenty-seventh, young 



■ ■ a il 



p^m^ pig; r 4 



S8)W<" 



THE BATTERED HYDROPLANE NC-3 MAKING PORT AT PONTA DELGADA 

John Towers comrranded the trans-Atlantic expedition in the spring of 1919, andpersonally 
had charge of the NC-3, which was nearly lost in, a storm. (Note condition of lower wing). 
Lieut. Commander A. C. Read, in the NC-4, completed the flight to Plymouth, England, via the 
Azores and Portugal. It was the Irst time an air ves.sel had crossed the ocean. 



496 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



and artful lovers recalling the right of 

man to implant a kiss on lips of maid 

for every shooting star, went out and 
made numerous "dates." 

The dates v^^ere kept, and maybe the 
rest of it was carried out, but the shoot- 
ing stars were not seen, for the skies 
are dark with clouds, and the heavens 
cannot be seen. It's a sad world, and 
no one is to blame but the weather man, 
unless Mr. Colegate by reason of the 
fact that he feared his reputation as an 
astrologer brought out the clouds and 
turned on the rain. 

Lightning bugs can't even be rung 
in, as their season has passed with the 
coming of Jack Frost. — Wm. A. Patton 
in Rome News, Nov. 28, 1920. 



ROME IS TREATED TO HAIL— 
Hail, hail, the gang don't care! 
This parody on the popular song was 
sung by early risers going to work 
Tuesday about 8:30 o'clock in certain 
sections of Rome, including East. Rain 
fell hard first, then hail for five min- 
utes, then more rain. The sky looked 
like it would be overcast practically 
all day. 

The fall of rain was heaviest about 
8. Street gutters became clogged with 




leaves, and citizens used rakes, espe- 
cially at Second avenue and East Sec- 
ond street. Much warmer weather 
ruled during the day, and fires were 
not badly needed.— Feb. 8, 1921. 

COMET FIZZLES OUT. 
By G. M. B., Jr. 

Just ten short years ago at night 

A comet came to town 
By name of Halley; flitted by 

In sphere of great renown. 
Full widely heralded as bright 

And largest of the age. 
The wonder of the milky way, 

The joy of every sage. 
It came and stayed a little while, 

Proved quite a chilly frost; 
Some folks fell off their lofty perch, 

While other folks got lost. 

Now, Biela's comet, so they say. 

Was due in Rome last night; 
The fog and rain so heavy fell 

That none could get a sight, 
But early tumbled off to bed 

And did not bother much 
About the comet's escapades, 

Their debts or sins or such. 

"The comets often worry me," 
Piped Thomas Colegate, seer; 
"I sometimes wish they'd chase them- 
selves 
Around the world from here." 

—Nov. 28, 1920. 



JOHN H. TOWERS, U. S. N., whose attempt 
to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in 1919 near- 
ly cost him his life off the Azores Islands. 



SEES WILSON IN METEOR— A 
meteor of unusual brilliancy was ob- 
served in the northern heavens Fri- 
day night, March 4, about 6:40 by stu- 
dents and teachers of the Berry School 
as they were leaving the dining hall 
and going to their dormitories. 

David Reynolds, who occupies the 
chair of history and has made a repu- 
tation at Berry as lecturer on "South- 
ern Heroes and; Celebrities," imme- 
diately attached a significance to the 
falling star in connection with the 
passing of Mr. Wilson from his high 
public position. "The brightest star 
in the political firmament is thus pass- 
ing," said Mr. Reynolds, as he watched 
the meteor sweep slowly across the 
northern sky from west to east and dis- 
appear from sight. 

"When beggars die there are no com- 
ets seen. The heavens themselves blaze 
forth the death of princes. 

"I consider Mr. Wilson the third 
great American — Washington, the 
Father of his Country; Lincoln, the 
Emancipator, and Wilson, the great 
Pacificator and Idealist — stand alone 



498 



A History orrRoME and Floyd County 



and unique among the many lesser stars 
in the wide stretch of our firmament 
of the great and wise and good lead- 
ers that have been raised up for our 
country."— Mar. 7, 1921. 



AURORA BOREALIS THRILLS 
ROME — The occasional appearing Au- 
rora Borealis appeared in the sky over 
Rome last night near midnight and cut 
its capers for about 15 minutes, finally 
retreating after a spasm of subdued 
but spirted flashes. The flashes seem- 
ed to come together at a central point 
at zenith, arriving from a considerable 
distance outward. They shed a little 
light as far down as earth. The light 
was in beams. 

Robert Shahan, Boy Scout and resi- 
dent of Eighth avenue, phoned The 
News that he and Porter Harvey and 
Cundy Bryson were on Tower Hill 
watching the performance. The News 
passed the word to Thomas Colegate, 
the well-known astronomer, of 103 Myr- 
tle street, South Rome, and Mr. Cole- 
gate declared he would stick his bean 
out the front door immediately. 

Webster's Shorter School Dictionary 
gives the following definition of au- 
rora borealis: "An atmospheric phe- 
nomenon consisting usually of streams 




GEORGE B. WARD, former Roman, who served 
twice as Mayor of Birmingham, Ala., during 
the period of that city's greatest growth. 



of light radiating upwards and out- 
ward toward the east and west from the 
north polar region." 

It was said that aurora interfered 
with the telephones and the telegraph. 

After the above was written, a fair 
young lady of East Rome phoned The 
News that a young man calling on her 
had discovered the lights in the sky 
while looking for an inspiration up 
there.— May 15, 1921. 

HOTTEST DAY IN 7 YEARS— 
Romans had a perfect right to swelter 
today. 

At 2:30 this afternoon it was the 
hottest in seven years, the thermome- 
ter registering 108 degres. 

Records kept by Miss Mary Towers 
and by her father prior to his death 
showed that the previous high record 
was in 1913, at 109 degrees. No higher 
temperature has ever been recorded 
here.— Aug. 1, 1921. 

A STAR THE LOVERS SAW— How 
many people saw that wonderful shoot- 
ing star Monday night about 10:10 
o'clock? (Of course all the lovers did!) 
It seemed to leave its place over Lav- 
ender Mountain and proceed in a curve 
toward John's Mountain, in a generally 
northern direction. For ten or fifteen 
seconds it could be seen, shooting like a 
fireball. Wonder it didn't hit some 
other star, and cause a shower of 
sparks to descend. Maybe it didn't 
because space is so infinite. The dis- 
tance between stars must be as great 
as from the earth to the moon, which 
the astronomers say is 93,000,000 miles, 
if your correspondent remembers cor- 
rectly.— Sept. 20, 1921. 

PASTOR SINGS OF ROME— The 
Rev. J. L. Ballard, of Atlanta, a visitor 
to Rome Thursday, January 13, throws 
some nice bouquets at the Hill City in 
the current issue of the Wesleyan 
Christian Advocate, as follows: 

"The work of the week was closed 
Thursday at Rome. Were you ever in 
Rome? If you never were, the first 
time you have the opportunity, go. It 
is one of the most picturesque places 
the writer ever saw. Wide streets, all 
paved, splendid stores mostly of brick 
or stone. Fine office buildings and 
handsome residences. But my, what a 
beautiful church ! It was built in 1884 
by the wonderful man, Dr. J. W. Lee, 
who was the greatest church builder 
among us. Bro. Irvine, the presiding 
elder, and Dr. Dempsey, pastor of the 



Miscellaneous — Items From the Press 



499 



First Church, Rome, are both first-year 
men, but have gotten hold of things, 
and the work moves on with great 
promise. 

"The week's work was closed at beau- 
tiful, picturesque Rome. A hurried 
walk to the ti-ain, a ride to Kingston in 
sight of the beautiful Etowah River, 
then through the mountains trimmed 
with sleet and snow, and we came to 
Atlanta."— Jan. 24, 1921. 

TO SWAT TEA HOUNDS— A brand 
new social club has been formed at 
Rome for the purpose of pursuing 
pleasure to her seductive lair and mak- 
ing war on all "tea hounds, lounge liz- 
ards, chewing gum buddies and cake 
eaters," as the charter preamble fiercely 
states. The members are petitioning in- 
formally for the right to operate and 
be operated upon in the courts of Epi- 
curus, God of Pleasure, father of Epi- 
curean June; Cupid, God of Love and 
Trouble, and Thor, God of Thunder and 
White Lightning. Thev are Ed Cald- 
well, W. E. Weathers, Fred Hull, Will 
A. Patton, Roy Echols, Fred Malone, 
Edwin Reese, Donald Cantrell, W. B. 
Watts, Denny King, Tom Rawls, Alfred 
King and Harris Best — thirteen leather- 



necked gentlemen who rise above the 
superstition of unlucky numbers. 

The constitution swears, in addition 
to other things, that "the object of the 
corporation is not pecuniary gain for 
itself and members, but rather for a 
generous distribution of any pecuniary 
gains the members might latch onto 
from any possible source," and this ob- 
ject has caused their friends to hint 
that a deep-dyed plot is being hatch- 
ed to resurrect the "Boys of Poverty 
Hall." The name for the present will 
be the "Moonlight Golf Association," 
and the members intend to let theirs 
shine. Branch clubs, not clubs on 
branches, are to be formed if desired. 

The chief meeting place is not stated, 
but a rumor has it that the first initia- 
tion will be held at the place "where 
the jay-bird jarred the mountain," 
near Black's Bluff. If sky water does 
not prevent, that meeting will prob- 
ably be held tonight, and the first 
monthly dinner will occur within a 
week at the Forrest. There will be no 
officers for the present, unless Charlie 
Harris should butt in. Each of the Si- 
lent Thirteen will govern himself in 
accordance with the emergency and the 
best interest of (the) society. — 1-25-'21. 





MRS. GEO. R. WARD, who prior to her mar- 
riage was Miss Margaret Ketcham, quite a 
belle in her day. 



GEO. R. WARD, a leading business man of 
Rome, and the father of Geo. B. Ward, of 
Birmineham. 



500 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



NOODLE SONG SKETCH— Major 
Tom Noodle's entertainment for the 
teachers last night at the court house 
was a success from every standpoint. 
The Major presided with a dignity and 
grace befitting the occasion, the Berry 
School quartette sang cleverly, as did 
Fred Hull in a solo, and the character 
sketch, "Old Black Joe," was well pre- 
sented. Miss Ruth Colegate's reading 
was greatly appreciated. 

The hit of the evening was a sketch 
entitled "Deal Fair," a sermon by a 
Methodist preacher, Byron Watters, of 
Pinson, assisted by his audacious dea- 
con, Frank Gaines. Major Noodle, Miss 
Carrie Mull, Robt. Cowan and L. O. 
Phelps put on another clever sketch en- 
titled "Charlie Over the Forest." Lem- 
onade was not served, said the Major, 
because no lemons could be found in the 
crowd. — Jan. 7, 1921. 



A CHEERFUL CHRISTIAN.— Sam 
P. Jones, in Rome: "Christians should 
not be long-faced, but bright and 
happy. God never made a man who 
loved fun better than I do, and I'll 
say right here. Judge Bleckley told 
a mighty big truth when he said: 'The 
next best thing to religion is fun.' " 

FISHING IN WINTER— This is a 
fish story, folks! The tale is on the 
fish. 

Jim White, Robert Middleton and Al- 
bert Lehman took Mrs. White and sev- 
eral other young ladies down to Hunt's 
Pond, about seven miles from Rome, on 
the Cave Spring road, Saturday, Jan. 
22, on a fishing trip. 

The weather was so warm that the 
party spread their lunch on the grassy 
banks of the pond, and the men caught 
several small fish. 

Prof. Albert Lee Snyder, the Griffin 
weather prophet, was once heard to re- 
mark that the people who go picnick- 
ing in winter time will live to wear 
overcoats in July, so we shall see. — Jan. 
24, 1921. 



SPRING MUST BE HERE— Some 
fisherman has stretched a trout line 
across the Oostanaula River just above 
the Fifth Avenue Bridge. Fishing this 
year is going to be good, especially be- 
low the lock and dam on the Coosa, say 
the wise ones. — Mar. 20, 1920. 

MORE CUSTOMERS SATURDAY 

. — There were more customers in the 

Gammon store Saturday than for many 



days preceding, said Mel Gammon, who 
felt that business conditions are show- 
ing improvement. — Mar. 20, 1921. 

BACK WITH FISH STORIES— W. 
C. ("Hawkshaw") Smith, assistant 
chief of the fire department, returned 
to his duties this morning at headquar- 
ters at the City Hall after a stay of 
ten days at a camp at Little River 
Falls, Lookout Mountain. DeKalb 
County, Ala. Mr. Smith was as brown 
as a nut after his vacation. He re- 
ported having caught a lot of bass, 
bream and trout, as long as his long 
arm, some of them. 

Members of his family accompanied 
bim. City Manager Sam King and Po- 
lice Sergeant Lamar Tallev visited his 
camp Sunday.— July 20, 1921. 



HISSING RATTLER IS KILLED— 
A rattlesnake that rattled and hissed 
when aroused Monday morning was 
killed by Deputy Sheriff Lindsey 
Wright, of Sheriff Wilson's force. Mr. 
Wright was passing in an automobile 
when he saw the snake stretched out 
in the Redmond Gap road, on Laven- 
der Mountain. He shot once with his 
pistol and missed. The next shot hit 
the snake in the body, which caused 
him to coil and express his anger in 
his own peculiar way. 

The snake's head became as large as 
a man's fist, and Mr. Wright drew a 
fine bead and shot through it. Mr. 
Wright left the snake, but severed his 
rattles, which were twelve, with a but- 
ton. These he brought to the court 
house and showed his friends. The 
snake was as big as a man's forearm 
and about four feet long. 

Mr. Wright was going to Little Texas 
Valley on business connected with his 
duties when he found the snake. — Aug. 
30, 1921. 



THE MAIN QUALIFICATION.— 
When Maj. Chas. H. Smith (Bill Arp) 
was mayor of Rome in 1868, he and 
the city council received the following 
communication : 

"I herewith make application to your 
honorable body for the office of night 
marshal of the city of Rome, and if 
appointed I promise in order to dis- 
charge my duties faithfully to try and 
keep awake at all hours. 

"Thanking you in advance, I remain, 
yours respectfully. 



Miscellaneous — Items From the Press 



501 







THE BOAT AND THE DRENCHED BOATMEN LANDING. 



BOAT UPSETS— An interesting ex- 
perience from the standpoint of the 
spectators and an exciting one from 
the standpoint of the participants was 
staged Friday morning about 9:30 
o'clock 100 yards above the Fifth Ave- 
nue Bridge when a batteau containing 
John Camp Davis, the well-known law- 
yer and member of the Legislature, and 
the Rev. Gordon Ezzell, pastor of the 
North Rome Baptist Church, capsized 
and threw them into the water, along 
with two boatmen. 

The pastor and the attorney had 
taken a boat run by Cecil McGill and a 
man named McLeod on Fifth avenue, 
Fourth Ward, with the idea of paddling 
through the immersed "Beaver Slide" 
section and of landing at Sixth avenue 
and West First street, near the Audi- 
torium. They went up Avenue A and 
then curved southward. After crossing 
the main body of the Oostanaula well 
above the bridge they encountered very 
swift water in a clump of small trees, 
and the boat hit a limb at the same 
time that the water hit its port side, 
upsetting and throwing one of the boat- 
men out. The others clung to the trees 
and the boatman grabbed his boat and 
swung it in, at the same time keeping 
his paddle, which was also new. 

A shout went up from the crowd on 
the bridge, and two men with boats 
put out to the rescue. One was George 
Camp, janitor at the court house, and 



the other Mr. Mclntire, fisherman well 
known in the Fourth Ward. Mr. Mc. 
Intire took Mr. Davis and Mr. Ezzell 
into his boat and paddled them back 
across the river and landed them at 
the Rome end of the bridge, whence 
they went to Mr. Davis' office in the 
Masonic Temple to dry. 

The other two clung to the trees a 
while longer and received assistance 
from Mr. Camp, who helped bail out 
their boat, m which they finally pad- 
dled to Sixth avenue and West First 
street, when they went to dry in the 
basement of the county jail. The dis- 
tance from the trees to this point of 
landing was about 400 feet, and from 
the trees to the point where the other 
two landed about 600. The first pair 
clung to the trees about 15 minutes and 
the other two about 10 minutes longer. 

The boatmen were due to have re- 
ceived some pecuniary consideration 
for the trip, but this was forgotten in 
the excitement. The friends of all con- 
gratulated them on such a thrilling ex- 
perience, and in a group on the bridge 
composed of Aimer R. Davis, Jack Mc- 
Cartney, the Rev. H. F. Saumenig, 
and W. C. Rash, it was remarked that 
since Mr. Ezzell was a Baptist and Mr. 
Davis a lawyer, a little water would 
hurt neither, and that the boatmen 
were used to it by nature and training. 



502 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Justice E. P. Treadaway yesterday 
bound over Charles Hand, charged with 
kicking Linton Jones, 10-year-old boy. 
near the Rome Hosiery Mills and on a 
tender part of his anatomy. — Feb. 11, 
1921. 



5 THROWN INTO LAKE— Members 
of the Women's Auxiliary of the Floyd 
County Farm Bureau had a big time 
at Updegrove Lake, Armuchee, at their 
big picnic. A feature was the upsetting 
of a canoe carrying Misses Bertha 
Evans and Willie Bohannon, Harry 
Selman, Arthur and Elmore Miller, 
caused when one of the boys and one 
of the girls tried to exchange seats and 
produced an uneven keel effect which 
let water in. Several jumped to the 
other side of the boat all at once and 
she went over. 

Most of those aboard could swim. 
The boys helped the girls and the girls 
clung to the boat, while Mr, Harrison 
luckily came along and fished them 
out. Mr. Harrison advised them that 
it was well to keep an even keel, but 
the boys were too busy blowing and the 
girls wringing out their skirts to hear. 

Ethel Salmon, six-year-old daughter 
of one of the Salmons, of Armuchee, 




got run over by a buggy, but it did 
not hurt her to speak of. 

After the excitement had subsided, 
the regular program was carried out, 
being the picnic and a lot of handshak- 
ing.— June 10, 1921. 



SEABORN WRIGHT, orator and "prohi." 
leader, who once ran for Governor and was 
mentioned for President on dry ticket. 



500 PEOPLE "BAPTIZED"— The 
largest "baptizing by immersion" in the 
history of Floyd County took place yes- 
terday afternoon at 3 o'clock at Ar- 
muchee, 100 yards below the bridge over 
Armuchee Creek and the Summerville 
road. Five hundred, more or less, re- 
ceived the heavenly sacrament, which 
penetrated to their skins and poured off 
their bonnets and hats. 

The occasion was the scheduled bap- 
tism of 14 candidates for admission to 
the Armuchee Baptist Church, and the 
fact that so many others got drenched 
was due entirely to a sudden rain. 

The Rev. Gordon Ezzell, pastor of the 
North Broad Baptist Church, also of 
the Armuchee Church, had arranged to 
submerge the following: Mrs. Cleve 
Salmon, Miss Lizzie Graham, Mr. and 
Mrs. Plant and their mother, Mrs. Ea- 
gle, Hill Yarbrough, Clifford and Sel- 
man Johnson and Jim Goodwin. At the 
water's edge Misses Beatrice and Annie 
Holder, Clara Graham and Addie May 
Salmon asked to be included. 

Leaders of the church attending the 
candidates began singing that old 
hymn, "When We Gather at the River." 
The clouds, in the meantime, had been 
gathering, but very cautiously, and only 
a puny sprinkle gave warning of the 
buckets that were soon to fall. The 
pastor stood firm, the candidates for 
immersion held their ground and the 
singers chanted on. Only a few on the 
outer edge of the crowd scampered 
away to the bridge. The storm broke. 
Most of the crowd remained under the 
trees. A few ran to the gin house. A 
couple with a baby, six months old, 
across the creek from the most of the 
folks, crept into a dry goods box that 
some boys had set in the bank as a 
"cave" or "dugout," and they didn't 
come out until the rain had stopped, 
nearly an hour later. 

Gradually those under the trees 
broke away to gin or bridge, until both 
places of refuge were well filled. The gin 
house was so full that the overflow ran 
to the bridge. The faces of some of the 
girls lost their luster, and many silk 
stockings and white shoes were dyed 
with the red old mud of Georgia. Hats 
were a sight. Nearly a hundred auto- 
mobiles and conveyances stood in two 
or three inches of water near the gin. 



Miscellaneous — Items From the Press 



503 




WHERE THE CROWD SOUGHT SHELTER. 

The old Armuchee covered bridge (right), below which the baptizing took place. The old 
Buena Vista hotel, which stood at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Sixth Avenue, is 
shown at the left. The small frame building was Daniel R. Mitchell's law office. 



Dr. Ezzell and the churchmen held 
their ground and were soaked thor- 
oughly. 

Half the crowd hopped into convey- 
ances and went elsewhere. The other 
half trooped back to the creek with the 
candidates due to be immersed. They 
were all set again when a flash of 
lightning lit up the sky and struck a 
tree near the bridge, and the thunder 
roared like the wrath of Old Scratch. 
Nearly half of those remaining went 
back to the gin house, and it was an- 
nounced that the ceremonies would be 
performed next Sunday at 2:30, provid- 
ed it didn't rain. 

The Rev. A. V. Carnes a little later 
immersed several new members in 
Hackney's pond, Summerville road, near 
Big Dry Creek. Members of this party 
arriving at Armuchee asked: "Did you 
have any rain here?" 

And the answer came back: "We 
didn't have anything else." — Sept. 12, 
1921. 

COW IN "TANGLEFOOT TRAP"— 
Mrs. J. D. Clark called up the police yes- 
terday and told them a cow had bogged 
up in a hole filled with tar at the end of 
the North Rome car line. When the of- 
ficer arrived, the cow and the tar were 
gone.— Sept. 2, 1921. 

Policeman Poole was painfully hurt 
yesterday afternoon when the fire 
chief's automobile hit him. Mr. Poole 
was in a Ford car ahead of the chief's 
car, which was answering a call to the 
Rome Oil Mill, and fearing a collision 
from behind, Mr. Poole jumped out of 



the Ford. In order to avoid hitting the 
Ford, the chief turned aside and hit 
the policeman.— Feb. 18, 1921. 

INJURED IN FALL— Mrs. Fanny 
Nance, of South Rome, is being treated 
for a broken or badly sprained right 
arm as the result of an accident Friday 
night in the yard of her home after a 
visit to neighbors across the street. 

About six years ago Mrs. Nance fell 
and broke her left wrist, and four years 
ago an automobile ran over her and 
broke her right shoulder and dislocated 
her left hip. Friends and relatives have 
made many inquiries about her. — Dec. 
19, 1920. 

GARAGE HIT BY LANDSLIDE— A 

landslide not quite political came Wil- 
son M. Hardy's way last night at 1 
o'clock which caused him to bounce out 
of bed in a hurry. Bank and rock wall 
on the old Nicholas J. Bayard lot, just 
above him at the northeast corner of 
Third avenue and East Fourth street, 
loosened by the heavy rains, came slid- 
ing down into his cement garageway, 
part of it falling against and crushing 
an edge of his garage and blocking the 
removal of his car until "Dr." Will 
Mitchell arrived with a gang of men and 
saved the situation. 

Several tons of dirt from the steep 
bank came down with a five-foot re- 
taining wall and made a oile about a 
foot high for a distance of 25 feet, the 
entire length of the garageway. 

The highest point of the bank is sev- 
eral feet higher than the top of Mr. 
Hardy's bungalow, but it was thought 



504 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



the retaining wall would hold it. Mr. 
Hardy owns part of the high bank, 
which contains the home of B. F. 
Quigg, superintendent of city schools, 
which was built many years ago by the 
late Nicholas J. Bayard, a descendant 
of the gentleman of the same name who 
was once United States Ambassador to 
France. 

Mr. Hardy refused to confirm a ru- 
mor that he bought the bank from J. 
Paul Cooper. 

A small house on Reservoir street 
fell over on its side yesterday morning 
when rain and a sluice caused the foun- 
dations to crumble. — Feb. 9, 1921. 

LUXURY UP THE RIVER— Rex 
Culpepper, Beecher Funderburk, Her- 
man Shiflett and others are camping out 
at Whitmore's Island for a few days, 
having gone up the Oostanaula Sunday. 
They pushed their houseboat up with 
Mr. Culpepper's motor boat, and went 
through the rapids around the island 
without a bobble.— Aug. 15, 1921. 

MAN HANGING ON TREE— Wild 
excitement was created at a down- 
town cafe late last night when a party 




of northern tourists or eastern tourists 
who had driven into Rome on their way 
back home told of seeing a man hanging 
to a tree about five miles out on the 
Summerville Pike. They told the cafe 
proprietor they had often heard of 
lynchings in Georgia, but said they had 
never before been brought face to face 
with any. 

Their story attracted considerable at- 
tention and two members of the local 
police force accompanied them in their 
automobile to the place and found — a 
scarecrow hanging to a tree. The tour- 
ists had never seen a scarecrow, for 
they were not used, they said, where 
they lived.— Tribune-Herald, Sept. 7. 
1921. 

TYPEWRITER BUSINESS GOOD 
— A story of how two men who are 
said to have had safe-cracking reputa- 
tions, took in a lot of gullible Romans 
on a typewriter repairing scheme has 
just came to light with the disappear- 
ance of the men and the clamor of a 
host of sadder but wiser creditors. 

Incidentally, according to a detec- 
tive who came here on the trail of the 
three, local officers of the law nar- 
rowly missed claiming a $7,000 reward 
offered for their arrest following a 
bank robbery and other depredations. 

The two are gone from here. Their 
equipment and supplies are gone or 
tied up, and creditors are wondering 
how the assets will be untangled so as 
to satisfy all. The detective said he 
hoped to bag the fugitives by last Sun- 
day night, but whether he has succeed- 
ed is not known here. — Aug. 7, 1921. 



DR. GEO. MAGRUDEU iiAITlA, ivliose 
marriage to Miss Emily Verdery caused 
him and his younger 
move to Rome. 



brother, Robert, to 



NEW DEPUTY AT LINDALE— 
Harry P. Meikleham, agent of the Mas- 
sachusetts Mills at Lindale, Friday ap- 
pealed to Ordinary Harry Johnson to 
swear him in as a special deputy sheriff. 
Mr. Meikleham received an appoint- 
ment to serve in the mill section, but has 
not yet taken the oath. 

There was some question as to wheth- 
er he should be put under bond, and if 
so, by whom, so the matter was deferred. 
—Jan. 14, 1921. 



BACK TO THE FARM— You can't 
keep 'em down on the farm unless you 
give them some of the privileges of the 
town. That was the substance of the 
opinion voiced by Leland Green, prin- 
cipal of the Berry School for Boys, in 
an address to the Kiwanis Club today. 
C. Bernard Keim's male quartette from 



Miscellaneous — ^Items From the Press 



505 



Berry School also enlivened the pro- 
gram with folk songs. 

Doc Routledge, recently wedded, was 
the smiling recipient of a "kitchen 
shower" by the members, which left him 
v/ith a great heap of utensils from can 
openers to baking dishes before him. — 
Sept. 27, 1921. 

AN IDLE LAD'S PRANKS— The po- 
lice have been asked by James M. 
Harris, local manager of the Southern 
Bell Telephone and Telegraph Com- 
pany, to look out for a youth who on 
Friday at 12:20 p. m. shot four times 
into the company's 25-phone lead cable 
on the Lindale road and put a number 
of suburban and Lindale phones out of 
commission. The mischief was done be- 
tween the Chas. Porter place and Mrs. 
Jno. C. Miller's, and a number of people 
heard the shots.— Nov. 28, 1920. 

CHRISTMAS BEER DESTROYED 
— Christmas liquor trade of the La- 
Fayette district of Walker County was 
broken up to a considerable extent last 
week by Revenue Agents Williams and 
Wardlaw, who reported to headquar- 
ters in the Federal building here that 
they destroyed three or four stills with 
7,000 to 10,000 gallons of beer, but 
without catching anybody. — Dec. 24, 
1920. 

SUIT IN CHICKEN CASE— Hear- 
ing on the injunction suit filed by J. L. 
Botts, of Chulio District, in Floyd Su- 
perior Court, to make Bud and Madge 
Hicks keep up their chickens, will be 
held Saturday at 10 o'clock before 
Judge Moses Wright. A temporary in- 
junction was granted. 

Botts alleges the chickens are eat- 
ing his crops and the owners have per- 
sistently refused to restrain them. — 
Feb. 17, 1921. 

PREACHER AFTER "MOON- 
SHINE" — Moonshiners and bootleggers 
in this neck of the woods have another 
obstacle to deal with. 

Bob Stewart, preacher, who made it 
so hot for the moonshiners in another 
section of North Georgia that he al- 
most disrupted his church, many mem- 
bers of which were said to be secretly 
allied with the outlaws, and was re- 
moved to another charge by the Metho- 
dist conference, is now on the trail of 
the malefactors in Floyd County. 

While pastor of churches in the more 
mountainous section of North Georgia, 
Bob Stewart is said to have led Federal 
officers on raids that resulted in 47 ar- 



rests of moonshiners. He also reported 
many other dew boys who "beat it." 
On one occasion he is said to have quit 
in the middle of a sermon to lead a 
party of revenue men who arrived at 
his summons. 

Mr. Stewart is now in charge of the 
churches on the Armuchee circuit, hav- 
ing been assigned to that charge about 
a year ago. He has been going quietly 
about his duties and winning the confi- 
dence of the better element of the citi- 
zenship with whom he comes in contact. 
This he now has to the fullest extent, 
it is said, and the good citizens of the 
Armuchee section of Floyd County are 
said to be for him to a man. Now he 
is ready to begin his warfare on the il- 
licit liquor makers and distributors. — 
Sept. 16, 1921. 

AIRPLANE TRIP— Mr. and Mrs. 
Pennington Nixon flew over Biscayne 
Bay, near Miami, the other day in an 
aeroplane, according to a telegram re- 
ceived by Mr. Nixon's . twin brother, 
George Nixon. They had just returnd 
to Florida after a trip to Cuba. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nixon are due back in 
Rome tomorrow. Mrs. Nixon was for- 
merly Miss Marion Dean. — Jan. 7, 
1921. 




CAPT. RICHMOND PEARSON HOBSON, U. 
S. N., on a prohibition lecture tour in 1904. 
With him is Miss Alida Printup. 



506 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




"OBSEQUIES" AT THE COURTHOUSE OVER A KEG OF "LICKER." 



POURS OUT LIQUOR— City Man- 
ager Sam King had the rare pleasure 
last night of pouring out a gallon of 
licker at the police station which had 
been captured at the home of Bill Bal- 
lard, colored, on East Third street, near 
the railroad, by Revenue Raider Grover 
C. Williams and Policemen Jess and 
Mell Johnson. Bill was landed in a 
cell. ' ' 

Mr. King poured it into a sink which 
became stopped up as the white light- 
ning tried to escape through the drain. 
He could only sigh. "Them was the 
happy days."— Jan. 19, 1921. 

INTO WATER WAGON— Harv. 
Wood, a hefty negro ditch digger em- 
ployed by the city, was arrested yester- 
day at noon on West Fifth avenue by 
Officer Tolbert, charged with plain 
drunkenness. He worked hard for sev- 
eral hours, but got too close to some 
licker and fell off the water wagon, hav- 
ing been on it about a week. 

The old man boarded a car bound for 
West Rome on Second avenue and 
started singing. He was warned at the 
transfer station to keep quiet, but the 
licker had put him in paradise, and so 
he was easy for the police to catch. It 
is said he can dig a lot of ditches when 
he leaves whisky alone, which he doesn't 
do about the same time each Saturday. 
—Sept. 4, 1921. 

BOOTLEGGER WARNED— Judge 
W. J. Nunnally handed out Saturday in 
City Court sentences to a number of 
persons convicted during the week. Will 
Martin, old bootlegger, was fined $100 
and given 12 months on the chaingang, 
but sentence was suspended pending 
good behavior. "If you are caught with 
a bottle on your hip, or whisky on your 
breath, Will, in you go," announced the 



court. "You have been coming up here 
about 40 years, it seems, and I have 
almost given up hope of reforming you. 
Last time you told me you were going 
to get into the church. I hope you will 
reform this time." Will swore by the 
everlasting devils that he was going to 
straighten up and be a man. — March 
20^ 1921. 



FIERCE RABBITS— A rabbit fights 
and whips a hound belonging to John 
Andrews, farmer, says a report from 
Kingston, North Carolina. 

Andrews says the rabbit had been 
grazing around a moonshine still. 

This is of great scientific interest to 
frequenters of back rooms and cellars, 
where they sell you a whisk broom with 
every drink, to brush yourself off when 
you get up. 

It confirms the minstrel gag that 
"one drink of white-mule will make a 
rabbit spit in a bulldog's eye." — Sept. 
2, 1921. 



A QUEER APPETITE— An over- 
dose of watermelon, canned fish and 
corn liquor proved more serious early 
this morning for Henderson Jackson, 
40, than the usual colored folks' relish 
of catfish and ice cream might have 
been. 

Henderson kept his soft drink stand 
open near the Fairbanks plant in West 
Rome Sunday and appeared to be all 
right up to 10 o'clock p. m. He had 
eaten some watermelon and salmon. At 
1 a. m. today he staggered up to Annie 
Perkins' home nearby and complained 
of pains in his abdomen. He said he 
thought he would be able to make it 
home soon. He never got away from 
here, although Dr. C. X. Gain was 
called. 




C^C .(y^ • 'V^<^r'z:Ji^^l{^L^ 



508 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Coroner Ogles held an inquest this 
morning, at which a verdict was return- 
ed saying he died from an imprudent 
use of whisky and watermelon. Inves- 
tigators found a salmon can opened and 
empty at his stand. — Aug. 8, 1921. 



BEER ON SPEED PLACE— Two 
barrels or 130 gallons of distilled beer 
were discovered Friday morning by 
Revenue Agents Williams and Ward- 
law at the home of J. M. Weatherby, at 
Bell's Ferry, Oostanaula River, on the 
old place of the late Terrell Speed, 
Floyd County "coonskin statesman." 
The officers searched a place where 
brush had been piled on the river bank, 
in the belief that the distillery had been 
inundated by the high water. 

It is understood that a number of 
stills have been flooded along the Oos- 
tanaula and also the Etowah. 

Weatherby is said to have stated that 
he had the beer as slop for his pigs. He 
was put under $100 bond by United 
States Commissioner Printup and he 
made the bond all right. 

Judge Printup put Jim White, colored, 
under $1,000 bond, Jim having been 
charged with pumping water through a 
pipe line half a mile to a still, which was 
destroyed by Mr. Williams and Mr. Ward- 
law. Another negro ran away too fast 
for the ofiicers to overtake him. This 




TERRELL SPEED, the "coonskin statesman," 
trapper and fisherman whose friends urged 
him for the state legislature. 



was near Villanow, Walker County, 
and it was at this place, November 24, 
that the officers caught Bob Love, Dave 
Shahan and James Fitzpatrick, farm- 
ers, who were put under bond by Judge 
Printup. 

"Lightning sometimes strikes twice in 
the same place," remarked Mr. Wil- 
liams, "and it's sometimes white light- 
ning."— Dec. 19, 1920. 

COMMEND CHIEF— Methodist min- 
isters in weekly session this morning 
adopted resolutions commending Chief of 
Police Charles I. Harris for his order 
closing illegally operated stands and 
places in the city on Sunday. — Jan. 24, 
1921. 

CATFISH GET "DRINK"— Catfish 
in the Oostanaula River Thursday be- 
haved queerly following a windfall of 
sprituous liquors that came their way 
Wednesday night when Policemen Mell 
and Jess Johnson and Revenue Agent 
Grover C. Williams poured 14 gallons of 
licker into the gutter at the police sta- 
tion, in the presence of Chief Harris, 
several other officers and a thirsty 
newspaper man. 

The officers found the spirits in an 
automobile near the plant of the Indian 
Refining Company in East Rome, and 
brought car and contents to the sta- 
tion. The owner of the car is said to 
be known. The capture is supposed to 
have made a dent in the supply for a 
certain section of East Rome where 
young men gather. — Feb. 6, 1921. 

WOMAN'S DIVINE RIGHT— Wheth- 
er or not a wife has a right to take 
money from her husband's pockets while 
he is asleep or out of his room will be 
the point to be determined before Jus- 
tice Sapp Reese this afternoon, when a 
man of middle age will appear as prose- 
cutor of his young wife. It's a fine 
point of law that will be watched with 
much interest by all married men. It is 
alleged that the man left a goodly sum 
in his coat pocket under his pillow. 
When he went for it the money was 
gone. He charges that only his wife 
had been in the room. — Jan. 4, 1921. 

PEANUT BUTTER CONSUMP- 
TION — W. Mclntyre, manager of the 
Rogers' store at 503 Broad street, has 
received a check for $20, being second 
prize offered by L. W. Rogers for the 
largest sale of peanut butter. Mr. Mc- 
lntyre beat the best Atlanta store by 
$5.44. with 540 jars of peanut butter 
sold during two weeks. — Sept. 9, 1921. 



Miscellaneous — Items From the Press 



509 



SPEED DEMON IN 1910— Editor 
Tribune: Your account in Sunday's 
issue of the police court society event of 
Saturday morning was very interesting, 
as well as humorous. I am glad if the 
part I played in the performance was a 
means of entertaining the good people 
of Rome for a few minutes. Such re- 
creation no doubt lengthens human life, 
as well also as making the said life a 
rippling stream of laughter — but 
"never again," so far as your humble 
servant is concerned. 

I saw a machine going down Second 
avenue Saturday afternoon, Sept. 24th, 
1910, at not less than 50 miles an hour. 
I have seen automobiles run at all 
speeds, slow, fast, touching the high 
planes, etc., but that machine beat all. 
Feeling it my duty to my fellow citizens 
to do what I could toward putting a stop 
to this reckless indifference to human 
life, I, at great personal inconvenience 
and neglect of my business, reported the 
matter to the police and attended the 
aforesaid society event. 

The reckless driving of the autoist re- 
ferred to is well known and much talk- 
ed of. 

In the future the aforesaid gentleman 
and his car, or any other man can 
drive down Second avenue or any other 
avenue, as fast as they please, so far as 
I am concerned. There will be no vol- 
untary second appearance of your hum- 
ble servant in police society events. 

If the reckless running of machines 
on our streets is allowed to continue, the 
time will soon come when the broken 
limbs and lost lives of Rome people will 
present the automobile situation to you 
in a light so serious that it will not be 
presented to your readers as a humor- 
ous society police court event, but ac- 
counts of saddened, desolate homes and 
funeral processions will be their enter- 
tainment. — John H. Reynolds. 



"PARSON" STAGES HOT BOUTS 
— "Parson" H. F. Joyner staged a se- 
ries of hot juvenile bouts with gloves 
Friday night at the Maple Street Com- 
munity gymnasium, and about 100 per- 
sons, mostly boys, attended. 

Alton Cole knocked out Broadus Mur- 
dock in the third round. Referee Carl 
Griffin counted ten over young Mur- 
dock and Cole was declared the win- 
ner. 

W. E. Bridges got the decision over 
Joe Brauda in a six-round bout, and 
Porter Harvey knocked the wind out of 
Robert Shahan in the second round. 

Another entertainment of the sort is 



being planned by Mr. Joyner in his ef- 
fort to teach the boys how to take care 
of themselves.— July 31, 1921. 

CIVILIANS BITE "SAWDUST"— 
Nearly 200 people attended the boxing 
bouts Friday night at "Parson" Joy- 
ner's Maple Street Community House 
gymnasium. It was a good show for the 
boys formerly in the army who had 
learned the noble art of self-defense, 
but not so good for certain civilians who 
were out of condition. The doughboys 
knocked the "sawdust" out of their an- 
tagonists in short order. 

Concerning the moral involved in 
boxing fostered by a church organiza- 
tion. Dr. Joyner said yesterday: "Some 
people who are invited to invest in 
our work occasionally say we are 
teaching young men things that they 
are trying to get them away from — 
fighting. What we are doing is teach- 
ing boys how to defend themselves on 
a basis of fair play. Most young fel- 
lows growing up are sensitive. They 
nurse little grudges a. long time. A 
lick with the fist is remembered; it 
calls for retaliation at some future 
time; a lick with the gloves usually 
does little harm, and sensitiveness and 
grudges die out with it. 




WM. T. COMER, of the Davis Foundry, be- 
side the machine lathe which the Nobles 
used to make Confederate cannon. 



510 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



"After getting a stout punch in the 
'slats' or the nose, a boy comes up 
laughing, and everybody laughs with 
him. It is seldom anybody gets mad. 
The exercise is good for the boys, and 
if they are ever called upon to defend 
themselves, they can do a good job. 
The boys bring their girls to our bouts; 
they leave oaths outside and cigarettes 
at home. 

"Rubbing shoulders is the best thing 
in the world for boys. Competition puts 
them on the same plane. They learn 
to win through merit, and this encour- 
ages them to make adequate prepara- 
tion, and to be prepared always. A boy 
who joins in with the bunch makes a 
better citizen than he who keeps aloof. 
He develops a sense of humor, of give 
and take, that is helpful throughout his 

"Boys who engage in these friendly 
little bouts do not go around spreading 
tales and scandal about their compan- 
ions. They are too busy playing the 
game right to indulge in such." 

Lockers for the gymnasium are due 
to be installed this week, and the next 
thing, Mr. Joyner hinted, would be a 
Maple Street Athletic Association re- 
cruited from the boys of the Anchor 
Duck Mill.— Aug. 16," 1921. 




SARAH JOYCE STEWART and Ben Yan- 
cey's South American parrot, "Polly," who 
is a great pet with children near the 
Clock Tower. 



HOUSEWIVES SUFFER— J. S. Ri- 
der, manager of the local gas plant, 
found himself an unpopular mortal this 
morning when he was forced to cut the 
gas off from every home, office and shop 
in Rome. The trouble was that a main 
under the plant got clogged up with 
tar or water, or both. Housewives 
called the plant from so many sources 
that the office man left the telephone re- 
ceiver off the hook until the damage 
could be remedied temporarily. — Nov. 2. 
1920. 

RIGHT'S WIRELESS MUSIC— 
Gordon L. Hight, amateur wireless op- 
erator, entertained his friends at The 
News office and a good many others 
last night with a wireless phone concert, 
having picked up a "message" out of 
the air fi'om Pittsburg and connected 
it through his instrument with tele- 
phones around Rome. — Nov. 21, 1920. 

BIBLE READING SET-BACK— De- 
claring the resolutions passed by the 
ministers and laymen on Bible reading 
in the public schools to be camouflage. 
Rev. H. Fields Saumenig, rector of St. 
Peter's Episcopal Church, Sunday urg- 
ed his communicants to oppose the 
movement. He said he approved read- 
ing and prayer in principle, but was 
against the "unlimited measure" of the 
proponents. — Dec. 6, 1920. 

YANCEY PARROT ON HIKE— Ben 
Yancey's parrot "Polly" felt a touch of 
spring Tuesday and went flying away 
from his adopted home on East Second 
street. Tower Hill. He flew to the top 
of an oak tree in the yard of the Cath- 
olic parsonage on East First street, 
and there wailed : 

"Polly wants a cracker, cracker, chew 
tobacco!" 

Seeing a likely perch on the top of 
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, he flew 
there, and began to curse frightfully. 
His raucous cries brought a jaybird to 
find out what was the matter, and when 
the jay discovered that it was only a 
feathered biped like himself, he flew at 
"Polly" as if to devour him. The par- 
rot flung out a long wing, and, as the 
small boy would say, "hit him on the 
chin." 

"Polly" is a South American bird and 
has a tail about 18 inches long and a 
beautiful coat of red and green feath- 
ers. 

He created considerable interest dur- 
ing the recent World War by perching 
on the end of a large American flag 
which flew from a flagstaff at the top 



Miscellaneous — -Items From the Press 



511 



of the Neely School on Tower Hill, thus 
carrying out with a fine relish the eagle- 
like symbolism in Old Glory. The wind 
was strong enough to bear "Polly" at 
the tip end of the huge flag, and there 
he clung, shouting "Over the top and 
at the damned Germans, boys!" until 
hunger told him it was time to come 
down.— Mar. 17, 1921. 

FINDS POSSUM IN TRAP— Sam 
Whitmire, of Everett Springs, is lucky 
at catching 'possums now and then. He 
was coming in to the town the other 
day and wishing he had one to take 
Mrs. Robert Battey. Before leaving, 
he went to the hen house to gather the 
eggs, and attached to a steel trap which 
he had set for some quadruped that had 
been catching his chickens he found a 
big fat 'possum. 

Mr. 'Possum had been caught by the 
left hind foot. He was shoved into a 
crocus sack and brought to town, and 
served by Mrs. Battey with his best 
smile on and potatoes six inches high. — 
Jan. 10, 1921. 

LINDALE HEN BUSY— R. C. 
Banks, who resides near Lindale, is the 
proud possessor of a hen — a real old- 
time hen — that is worth her weight in 
gold. Banks declared that she is lay- 
ing one huge egg each day in the week, 
not resting on Sunday, and that every 
egg she lays has two yolks, which would 
make her laying equal to two eggs a 
day. At this rate, at the present price 
of fresh eggs, she would lay $50 worth 
of eggs in twelve months. — Tribune- 
Herald, October 29, 1920. 

FOG HINDERS FIREMEN— The 
heaviest fog in years hung over Rome 
Monday night like a blanket and proved 
dangerous for vehicle drivers and pe- 
destrians. It was possible to see ahead 
only about 50 feet, and automobile 
lights proved almost useless. Horns 
sounded like the noise makers of steam- 
ers stuck in fogs. 

At 10:02 p. m. the fire department 
answered a false alarm call from box 
14, Fourth Ward, evidently turned in 
by a mischief maker. Through the fog 
the chief's car and the wagons plowed 
at reduced speed. The East Rome com- 
pany also answered. It was found that 
the glass plate over the key to the box 
had been broken, and the key was gone. 
So were the practical jokers. — Feb. 4, 
1921. 

INSECT PLAGUE HALTS CARS— 
An insect plague hit Rome for a few 



hours Friday night. Although less 
were out last night, they could not be 
counted by any human device. 

Romans attempted to get to their 
homes Friday night about 8:30 o'clock 
across the Second avenue bridge span- 
ning the Etowah and Oostanaula Riv- 
ers, only to be held up because the in- 
sects were two feet thick in places. One 
business man's automobile was stalled 
on the Etowah bridge. His wheels slid 
around as if he had been on a ball- 
room floor, and it was only by apply- 
ing a generous sprinkle of sand that 
he found it possible to continue home. 

The insects swarmed on the wind- 
shield of another young citizen so he 
had to get down and scrape them off 
with a monkey wrench. At that he got 
plenty of them in his ears, eyes and 
hair, for they arose at his approach. 

This young man said the critters 
emitted an odor as of stale fish. He 
ran into a meat market for some air. 

The insects were about an inch long, 
with wings nearly that length, and 
narrow, black bodies. They did not 
bear any resemblance to anything 
worth while, but appeared to be de- 
void of all stingers. They congregated 




FRANCIS MARION FREEMAN, of "River- 
side," Etowah river, whose home was a 
center of sfenerous hospitality many years. 



512 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



especially under the electric lights, and 
there held close communion. 

All day Friday and part of Saturday 
myriads of insects thought to have 
been the same as those infesting the 
streets gathered along the river banks. 
They weighted down willows and oth- 
er bushes almost to the snapping point, 
to such an extent that many of the 
insects fell off and broke their necks 
or were drowned. Great patches float- 
ed down the rivers, but did not seem 
to attract the fish. They looked suspi- 
ciously like young snake doctors, but 
that is an unofficial surmise. — June 19, 
1921. 

"PRIMA DONNA" AT CEDAR- 
TOWN — Julian Eltinge was driven 
from his fame as a feminine imperson- 
ator Friday night when Jim Maddox, 
disguised as the wife of Glenn Harris, 
captivated the Cedartown Kiwanis Club 
and guests with his presence and his 
voice (the voice being that of Mrs. Ben 
Yancey, who sang from a concealed po- 
sition while Maddox manipulated his 
lips.) In addition to this humorous 
stunt, Rome Kiwanians also participat- 
ed in the after-dinner speeches at the 
charter presentation of the Cedartown 




DONALD HARPER, native Roman who en- 
joys a snug berth in Paris as "Liaison Offi- 
cer" between the French and American 
governments. 



club, which was held with elaborate 
ceremony at the new Wayside Inn. The 
charter was presented by H. E. Kel- 
ley, lieutenant governor of Georgia Ki- 
wanis clubs. 

District Governor Bob Wessels also 
was present and made a happy address. 
Frank Reynolds' talk on "Bachelor- 
dom" was a scream. 

Sixteen Romans attended the celebra- 
tion. They were: Mr. and Mrs. H. E. 
Kelley, Mr. and Mrs. Benj. C. Yancey, 
Mr. and Mrs. Hilary Yeargan, Mr. and 
Mrs. R. B. Combs, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes 
T. Reynolds, Henderson Lanham, Jr., 
James Maddox, G. G. Harris, E. Pierce 
McGhee, J. W. Bryson, G. H. Hays.— 
Dec. 12, 1920. 

A LAWYER ON THE HAT— Hats, 
styles of hats for men and how they 
should be worn, the evolution of the 
hat from barbaric days down through 
the ages, the hat as emblematic of 
man's downfall, the hat as a simile for 
man's attitude toward life was the 
topic of conversation and oratory at 
Wilson Hardy's presentation of a "top 
piece" to Walter Cothran last night at 
a dinner at the country club given by 
Mr. Hardy to members of the executive 
committee and special workers of the 
recent road bond campaign. The par- 
ticular hat in question was one designed 
as an emblem of chieftainship. It was 
a ci'eation that might be set up as a 
stunning sartorial adornment for the 
species to rival the hats worn by the 
fairer but not weaker sex. 

The dinner was a delicious assort- 
ment of foods served faultlessly and 
was of a flavor to give zest to the mood 
of the men who had gathered for a 
jubilee over the overwhelming bond 
election victory. Mr. Hardy as host 
presided with his happy manner on such 
occasions and announced that Col. 
Wright Willingham would present the 
hat. 

"The hat is a symbol of man's down- 
fall, his subjugation," said Col. Wil- 
lingham, "and I have no pleasure in 
presenting one to a man of such dis- 
tinction as Walter Cothran, who should 
be regarded as one among the few 
capable of maintaining the exalted 
place of man." 

"Time was when man wore horns!" 
dramatically cried Col. Willingham, 
with a hark-back to evolutionary pro- 
cesses and a shake of his handsome 
iron-gray mane. "He didn't wear a 
hat. Then he shed his horns and wore 
long, shaggy hair. In the present en- 
lightened age we forego hair and wear 



Miscellaneous — Items From the Press 



513 



a hat. Verily, man is softened by 
civilization!" 

Col. Willingham declared that if Wal- 
ter Cothran must wear a hat, it should 
be one denoting courage, with the front 
pinned back to permit mm to look every 
man in the eye, one with a feather to 
denote leadership, and one with stream- 
ers to ripple behind him as he goes 
forth to combat. It was such a hat 
that he presented to the chairman of 
the city committee whose generalship 
was credited with getting out a larger 
per cent of city votes for bonds than 
was cast in the rural districts under the 
leadership of Wilson Hardy. 

Mr. Cothran responded, but did not 
promise to wear the hat beyond the 
confines of his home. His assigned 
subject was, "If the hat fits you, wear 
it." With this theme he likened the 
hat to a man's relationship to the com- 
munity. Some men are loath to dis- 
card comfortable old hats for a new one 
of a different block; some are loath 
to get out of the rut of old ways to 
take on new ways. Some men are so 
old fashioned that they refuse to wear 
a new hat style; some are so old 
fogy that they refuse to do anything for 
the advancement of their community. 
Some keep up with the procession 




WRIGHT WILLINGHAM, authority on hats, 
boll weevils, home-building, economics, bet- 
ter citizenship, high water and the law. 



wearing new hats; some accept new 
duties and responsibilities of a civic 
nature. He said that in no other place 
in America are there more men and 
women who are willing to accept the 
new hat of civic service than in Rome 
and that the service is always well 
done. 

Lester C. Bush read a few spasms 
of original verse on the bond campaign. 
Hughes Reynolds spoke of "Bonds Is 
Bonds," Leon Covington told how to 
keep dead men from voting, Ed Mad- 
dox glorified the "immortal 67" who 
voted against bonds, saying that they 
represented the factor really responsi- 
ble for the victory because they form- 
ed the opposition needed to arouse the 
advocates of bonds. He said he ad- 
mired their courage if not their judg- 
ment, but that always on all questions 
men disagree and that they were en- 
titled to their opinions. 

Judge John W. Maddox, the "old war 
horse" of good roads, was asked to tell 
why he opposed (?) the bond issue. He 
said he was opposed (?) to spending 
the people's money for good roads be- 
cause it wouldn't be long before every- 
body is flying in airships and the roads 
wouldn't be used any more. 

The guests responded to a toast to 
John M. Graham, whose personality 
as general chairman of the campaign 
was declared to have been the winning 
factor in the election. With a toast to 
the host who had so gracefully ful- 
filled a campaign pledge, the dinner 
adjourned. — June 23, 1921. 

WUXTRY! FIRST STRAW— Sat- 
urday afternoon's balmy air brought 
out the first straw hat of the season. It 
was seen on a healthy young buck from 
a small town near Rome, and it at- 
tracted so much attention that a crowd 
of boys gathered and followed it some 
distance up Broad. 

Rome merchants took the tip and be- 
gan to search for bills of lading on 
straw goods ordered some time ago. 

Easter is expected to bring out a 
lot of straw hat wearers who are a 
bit timid as yet, not to mention the 
Easter bonnets that the women always 
wear, and the new suits worn by men 
and women alike. — Mar. 20, 1921. 

WORK STREETS OR PAY— No- 
tices have been sent out by C. I. Harris, 
city marshal, requiring certain persons 
to appear at the City Hall Monday, 
May 16, at 7 o'clock a. m., with pick 
or shovel, for the purpose of working 



514 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




ROBERT BATTEY AS A DRUG CLERK IN ROME. 

Dr. Battey went into business with his brother, Dr. Geo. M. Battey, at No. 3 Exchange 
Hotel Block, and was a pharmacist nearly ten years before he studied surgery. On the left 
is Dr. Wm. Farell, once city physician, and between them Dr. Farell's son, Johnathan. (From 
a daguerreotype, about 1848). 



on the streets four days. Nearly every- 
body is included. The streets are said 
to be in bad condition, particularly in 
some of the neighborhoods, and if 
everybody will work, they can be put in 
shape to walk and ride upon. 

However, anybody who can't afford 
to work for a dollar a day will plank 
dov«i $4 and be excused. — May 26, 
1921. 

A POET'S TRIBUTE TO THE 
COW— By R. S. Kennard: Little do we 
realize the debt we owe to the cow. 
During the dark ages of savagery and 
barbarism, we find her early ancestors 
natives of the forests of the old world. 
As the bright rays of civilization pene- 
trated the darkness of that early pe- 
riod, man called upon the cow, and 
she came forth from her seclusion to 
share in the efforts that gave us a 
greater nation and more enlightened 
people. 

In 1493, when Columbus made his 
second voyage to America, the cow 
came with him. Her sons helped till 
the soil of our ancestors, helped clear 
dense forests, and made homes possi- 
ble for the coming generations — and 
when the tide of emigration turned 
westward, they hauled the belongings 
)f the pioneer across the sun-scorched 
plains and over the mountain ranges to 
the homes beyond. Truly the cow is 
man's greatest benefactor. Hail, wind, 
drought and floods may come, destroy 
our crops and banish our hopes, but 
from what is left, the cow manufac- 



tures the most nourishing and life-sus- 
taining foods. We love her for her 
docility, her beauty and her usefulness. 
Her loyalty has never weakened and 
should misfortune overtake us, as we 
become bowed down with the weight of 
years, we know that in the cow we have 
a friend that was never known to fal- 
ter. She pays the debt. She saves 
the home.— May 1, 1921. 

NECROLOGICAL— Frank C. Cald- 
well, aged 30 years, whose young wife 
died less than a year ago, and 
whose son died last week, passed away 
early this morning at his home, No. 604 
East Third street, after a short illness 
with pneumonia. His only remaining 
child, a young boy, is now critically ill 
with the same disease. 

The funeral, which will occur at 2 
o'clock this afternoon from the resi- 
dence, will be conducted by Rev. Mr. 
Nelson, under the direction of the local 
camp of Modern Woodmen of America, 
of which deceased was a member. In- 
terment will be at Antioch Cemetery, 
where the wife and child also lie. 

Mr. Caldwell was an honest, indus- 
trious and moral young man whose 
passing away is a source of regret to 
all who knew him.— Nov. 24, 1920. 

FIRE AND RIDING HABIT— Miss 
Ora Belle Updegrove yesterday donned 
a habit not quite as extreme as the gray 
check riding suit she wore through the 
streets of Rome Friday following a fire 




MARTHA BURNETT SPULLOCK, daughter of Judge and Mrs. Jas. 
M. Spullock, in her day one of the most beautiful belles in Cherokee 
Georgia. She married Willis P. Chisholm and went to live in Atlanta. 



516 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




THE OLD CITY HALL, NOW ROME NEWS PLANT. 



Thursday night at the residence of her 
parents, Mr. and Mrs. George B. Up- 
degrove, near Armuchee. A blaze that 
destroyed two rooms in the home took 
practically all her wearing apparel, and 
she came to Broadway without a horse 
for the purpose of replenishing her 
wardrobe, and spent Friday night with 
friends. 

Neighbors rushed to the house with 
buckets and finally put out the fire. 
The rest of the home was saved. A 
defective flue caused the fire. — Dec. 19, 
1921. 

"KAMERAD!"— "What is that mon- 
ument at Broad and Second avenue?" 
inquired Harry Snellings, of the Fire- 
stone Tire Co., Atlanta, on his first 
visit to Rome, Thursday. 

"That commemorates the day in 1863 
when Col. Streight, of Indiana, with 
1,400 men, yelled 'Kamerad!' at Gen. 
Nathan B. Forrest, with 400," replied a 
friend of Mr. Snellings. 

Mr. Snellings immediately became in- 
terested in Rome history and went off 
looking for a pipe, a breastplate and a 
sword hilt dug up here years ago and 
supposed to have been left by Ferdi- 
nand DeSoto, the well-known Spanish 
cavalier.— Jan. 27. 1921. 

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — There 
was no police court this morning, al- 
though it was the regular session day. 



Several cases were set for trial, but 
witnesses failed to show up and the 
cases went over to the Monday session, 
when Recorder Ben Yancey takes the 
judge's chair and will begin his four- 
year term of office. Mr. Yancey has 
been a recorder before as well as 
mayor of Rome, and those who remem- 
ber his manner of performing his duty 
know that he will give the city a good 
administration. 

There was no meeting of the Rome 
Baseball Association this morning, as 
had been called. Many of the mem- 
bers of the board of directors had busi- 
ness engagements that kept them from 
attending the meeting, and so, pre^ 
ferring to have the full directorate 
present, the meeting was postponed un- 
til a later date.— Dec. 31, 1920. 



ROME'S GARBAGE DUMP— The 
dead body of a boy baby was found 
Thursday afternoon when a garbage 
wagon dumped a box on the bank of 
the Oostanaula River, Fourth Ward, 
just across from the court house. — 
Mar. 20, 1921. 

DON'T BE A SLACKER!— Every 
newspaper, almost all of the trade 
journals, and every man, woman and 
child, individually and collectively, are 
seemingly engaged in the delightful in- 
door sport of preaching pessimism, pre- 
dicting disasters and hard times gen- 
erally. Folks are meandering around 



Miscellaneous — ^Items From the Press 



517 



with faces as long as yardsticks, a 
yellow tinge to their physiognomies ; 
and a bad condition of the liver, weak 
hearts and flimsy spinal columns — all 
because, in the process of readjustment, 
business has necessarily slumped. No- 
body smiles— nobody thinks of the big 
bunch of simoleons he has made dur- 
ing the abnormally prosperous times. 
No indeed, the country is going to the 
bow-wows and everything is greased 
for the occasion. — First National Bank. 
Feb. 9, 1921. 



This is no time for slackers, either 
at the head of the business or at work 
in the shops. It will be a sui'vival of the 
fittest, and many will fall by the way- 
side. It is up to you whether you will 
bite the dust in defeat or with a real 
spirit that brooks no obstacles, surmount 
all diflficulties. emerging from the strug- 
gle a victorious, unconquerable, red- 
blooded American business man. — First 
National Bank, Feb. 11, 1921. 



JURY JUSTICE.— The following 
case is on record at the Floyd County 
Court house: 

On Wednesday, July 21, 1869, two 
brothers, Adolphus and R. Pass, were 
arraigned for stealing a pig from a 
man named Warren. The case com- 
ing to trial in the Superior Court be- 
fore Judge Francis A. Kirby, Judge 
Augustus R. Wright addressed the 
jury thus in behalf of the accused, 
after the solicitor, Joel Branham, had 
concluded his argument: 

"Gentlemen of the jury, these men 
fought gallantly for their country dur- 
ing the war. It is true they are poor, 
v/hile their accuser is prosperous; and 




MRS. AUGUSTUS R. WRIGHT, wife of the 
Rome Congressman, from an old daguerreo- 
type of their Washington days. 



the plaintiff not only did not fight, 
but he hired a substitute to fight for 
him. I ask you to take into account 
the unusual circumstances of the case, 
as well as the denial of the defend- 
ants.'' 

The jury deliberated a few minutes 
and returned a verdict substantially 
as follows : 

"On account of the scarcity of 
meat and the hardness of the times, 
we, the jury, find the defendants not 
guilty." 




JOHN C. GLOVER'S BARAGA GLASS OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURGH, 1921, 



518 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




FLOYD COUNTY'S FIRST COURTHOUSE, LIVINGSTON, 1833. 



"OLD SETTLERS" 

Following is a partial list of "pioneers" whose names appear on the books in 
the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court as having participated in transfers 
of Rome and Floyd County real estate from 1833 through 1837. Among them are 
the ancestors of many well-known Georgians: 

1833-1835— J. L. Abraham, A. B. Austin, J. B. Arnold, Mark Ambrose, J. F. Ab- 
ernathy, A. J. Austin, John Bailey, Nathan Briton, James Belk, Robert Boyle, Eze- 
kiel Buffington, Lewis M. Brantley, John Brewster, E. T. Bush, Jos. G. Blance, John 
Brooks, Jas. H. Bryan, William Blalock, John Baker, Benjamin Baker, T. Byrd, 
John Barry, A. L. Barry, W. B. Cone, John Caldwell, James Cunningham, J. C. 
Coker, John Carmichael, Jesse W. Cozzart, W. H. Cleghorn, Thos. Camp, Reuben 
Cone, Thos. W. Connally, H. M. Cunningham, John Copeland, Henry B. Cone, 
Henry Dillon, Thos. Dillard, James Donahoo, Alvin Dean, D. Dickson, Norman 
Duffie, W. H. Edwards, Jas. Eppinger, James Ellis, J. P. Ellington, Wm. Ezzard, 
Tomlinson Fort, Wm. Fish, Jos. Ford, A. B. Griffin, Benj. Garrett, W. B. Graves. 
Z. B. Hargrove, P. W. Hemphill, A. T. Harper, H. B. Hathaway, Saml. Hale, Josiah 
Horton, Nathaniel Harris, K. W. Hargrove, Wm. Hardin, Seaton Hall, Jas. Hemp- 
hill, John Harwell, Thos. H. Hughes, John A. Hughes, Moses Hendricks, Alex 
Hawkins, Thos. Holland, Theo T. Horseby, Joab Kendricks, John Humphries, S. J. 
Johnson, T. D. Johnson, John A. Jones, Jesse Johnson, A. H. Johnson, Berry Jones, 
Thos. G. James, Seaborn Johnson, Joseph Johnson, J. W. Jackson, John Jolly, Jr., 
Thos. B. King, Freeman Kellogg, Andrew Kimberley, Jas. S. King, Francis W. 
King, Francis Kirby, Robt. Knight, Anson Kimberly, G. W. F. Lamkin, John La- 
mar, B. Lawrence, Geo. M. Lavender, Jas. Lawrence, Sarah Leggett, James 
Long, Peter Lamar, Jesse Lane, Tice Lowry, Lewis A. L. Lamkin, Thos. W. A. 
Lumtix, Pleasant R. Lyle, J. H. Lumpkin, Robt. Ligon, Setha Moore, M. Mont- 
gomery, Geo. Miller, Mordecai Myers, David Mimms, Lelm Milliga, Pat Marlow, 
Chas. H. McCall, Shad Morris, Hudson Moss, F. G. Moss, Elijah Maddox, Wm. G. 
Morris, Wright Murph, X. G. McFarland, D. R. Mitchell, John W. Martin, Geo. 
Moore, Robt. Mitchell, Jas. A. Nesbit, P. Nugent, J. M. Norwood, James O'Bryan, 
Benj. Odell, Asa Prior, Wm. T. Price, James Price, Drewery Peoples, M. Pende- 
grass, Chas. Price, Jacob C. Putnam, George Park, John L. Ponder, Jas. Phillips, 
Saml. T. Payne, Hugh Quin, J. Richards, W. T. Richards, C. P. Richardson, E. G. 
Rogers, Jos. Rivers, Jas. Russell, John Rush, Saml. Roe, Edwin G. Rogers, Isham 
S. Rainey, Amos G. Robinson, Robt. Ralston, Wm. Smith, Peter Strickland, Mor- 
gan H. Snow, Leastom Snead, Stephen Smith, Adam G. Safford, Eralboa Seymour, 
Wm. R. Smith, W. Shropshire, Jas. Sanborn, John Smith, James Scott, Reuben C. 



Miscellaneous — Lists 



519 




HOME BUILT BY COL. DANIEL S. PRINTUP AT 707 BROAD STREET. 



Shutre, W. C. Street, Jackson Trout, John Townsend, Thos. Treadaway, Tucbey 
F. Thomas, John Trammell, Wm. Terrell, Geo. W. Underwood, Henry Vincent, Asa 
W. Veal, Aug. N. Verdery, Math. Varner, Sr., N. N. Verdery, A. Weatherford, 
J. B. Williams, Benj. Watson, Jos. Watson, George Wood, Robt. Ware, Wm. H. 
Williamson, James Wells, Jeremiah Watters, Moses Wright, Norman Wallace, 
Jos. Watters, Elisha Yancey, Joseph York, Danl. Zuber, Jas. B. Zachey, N. B. 
Felton, Nathan Maroney, Joshua Smith, John Dailey, Jr., Edwin Lattimer, Lyman 
Sherwood, Granberry Templeton, Silas Mercer, Jr., Wm. Carlisle, W. M. Clemons, 
Francis Riviere, E. B. Wallace, Telfair Posey, Richmond Holmes, Thos. Eason. P. 
W. Kimbrell, S. R. Hargis, Wm. R. Patton, Wm. P. Kolb, Jeremiah Clarke, Wm. 
Chestnutt, F. B. Holliday, Wm. Todd, W. R. Welborn, John B. Harvey, W. Con- 
nor, Joshua Humphries, Sarah Woodcock, Eli Ajor, John Cabbage, Wm. Seals, 
Z. Carpenter, Jas. H. Watts, Jesse Walker, Pressley Garner, Ann Smith, Saml. 
Whitfield, Jno. Nablett, Mary Ford, H. Redingfield. Jno. J. Averett, H. B. Hill, 
Esther Jepson, Benj. Jepson, Reuben Early, Jno. Sparrow, Nancy Yancey, Am- 
brose Sanders, Wm. S. Booth, J. D. Jourden, Nath Johnson, Rhoda Whidden, Fer- 
riba Freeman, Jos. Brantley, Barnea West, Denny Peeples, Jas. W. Cooper, Isaac 
Roberts, Major Peace, H. P. Brannon, Simeon Taylor, Saml. Wilkins, Mark Wil- 
cox, Allen Vanderford, J. C. Campbell, Henry S. Melton, Littleton Thomaston, 
Aaron Cross, John Higgs, C. G. Fleming, Geo. W. Mcintosh, Wm. Hardin, Wm. 
Young, Julius Clark, Berry Hobbs, Eping Harris, C. Garrison, Fountain Wood, 
Jno. Osteen, John Stewart, Henry T. Brumby, Isham R. Burkhalter, A. T. Hardin, 
Danl. Majors, Wm. Duke, Wm. Carroll, Thos. Pope, Garrett Hudman, Seaborn Hall, 
Seaborn Nally, Ausborn Reeves, Isaiah Goulden, Jas. Monk, Thos. Edge, Marquis 
Ambrose, Luke Johnson, Absalom Duncan, John R. Jeter, Wm. Henderson, Henry 
Monger, Stephen O. Kelly, Robt. Thompson, Josh Hatcheisiegnor, Mary Parish, 
Mary Carter, Gilford Kent, Hosea Camp, John Buckner, H. V. Hathaway, Abel 
Lee, Thos. Dillard, Jesse Lipthrop, Thos. C. Bolton, Sampoa Black, Jno. R. Boon, 
Asa Weaver, Garrett Hudinaw, Seaborn Delk, Washington Baker, A. D. Woods, 
Vincent Gordon, Wm. Truscott, Jno. Pedon, Hollis Cooley, Wm. D. Hansell, J. Mc- 
Kinney, Richard Ferkinson, Saml. H. Harrison, Jos. Bohan, Asa McLusky, Jacob 
Coxe, Jas. C. Grizzle, Sion Hall, Jos. Janson, Mathew Siglar, G. McFarland, Wm. 
H. Broach, John Kilgore, J. M. Kilgore, Nathan Lewis, Wm. C. Swindle, Wm. B. 
Hardison, N. Yancey, John Carlton, Mary Yates and Jesse Lickroy. 



520 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



1835-1837— J. T. Cunningham, John Cathey, H. M. Cunningham, R. G. Dunlap, 
S. P. Dugas. Jno. J. Dodd, S. C. Ellington, John Ellis, James Ellis, John Fife, Wm. 
Fain, Geo. French, W. G. Fields, Wm. Glover, Jas. Gamble, Jacob Gimble, Jas. 
Glenn, Larkin GrifRn, Jno. E. Glover, Jno. Gent, Jos. Glaze, Asaph Hall, Lyon Hall, 
Johnathan Hopper, Jno. Holsenback, G. W. Hanson, Jas. Hart, Alex Harkins, Jno. 
Hines, Frances Irwin, Wm. Jeffries, Chas. Knowles, Samuel Knox, Geo. Kellogg, 
Saml. Knox, Jr., Wm. Kimball, Geo. Kitchen, Lawrence Bennett, Lewis R. Lewis, 
Jno. Mooney, Seab Mays, Jas. Morrison, A. & Z. Metz, Hugh McCullock, J. J. 
Miller, Wm. McCain, Saml. Millican, Hugh McGhee, A. Moseley, Fuller Millsaps, 
Jas. Moore, John L. Moody, Micajah Martin, Jno. McMorrin, Jesse New, Saml. R. 
Overby, Jno. Onstead, Jacob C. Putnam, Geo. Parks, Thos. S. Price, Saml. T. 
Payne, Dennis Paschal, Wm. Post, Benj. G. Pollard, Saml. Post, Penel Quarles, 
Thos. Ragland, M. & T. Reece, Armistead Richardson, D. Reynolds, Margaret Reed, 
Jno. C. Rasberry, Martin P. Sparks, Wm. Slay, Jas. Spullock, Jno. Standard, Jas. 
W. Strong, Chas. Smith, Jno. Trammell, Henry B. Thompson, Saml. Tate, Sea- 
born Thornton, Jno. Townsend, J. L Thompson, H. B. Troutman, David Taylor, Jr., 
J. C. Treadaway, Henry Ware, R. M. Yancey, W. Zuber, Michael Pilgrim, Jeffer- 
son Bonds, Redding Bass, Nicholas Jennings, Gabriel Wallis, Jas. Montgomery, 
T. C. Tatum, Jacob Wilf, Nelson Allman, D. Paschall, Russell Maberry, Jno. Var- 
ner, Thos. J. Key, T. B. King, Shadrack Turner, Saml. Street, D. Ingo, Elizabeth 
Grand, Watson Crawford, Chas. Haddock, Jas. Jermany, Benj. Dunnagan, Chas. 
C. Whitmore, C. W. C. Wright, Levi Pattillo, Jno. L. Baird, Chas. Deadwiler, 
Sarah Atkinson, E. Denny, Ransom Kimball, Joel Brown, Isaac Burch, Dennis 
Hills, Thos. Colbert, Thos. Blackburn, Geo. Gentle, Jno. Lay, Jacob Ramey, Geo. 
W. Morgan, Mirick Ivey, Jandy W. King, Norman McDuffie, Wm. Gilliland, Hughes 
Walton, Jno. Ellis, Gideon Pouldridge, Dally Boggs, Saml. McBride, Jeptha Baker, 
Sarah Beavers, Ebinezer Pitts, Jesse M. Callaway, Reuben Aleamie, W. B. Trout- 
man, Alfred Lamberth, Wm. R. Beasley, Joel M. Bryan, Saml. W. Littles, Wm. J. 
Breed, Alfred Perry, Geo. Schley, Ann Campbell, Horace R. Ware, Jacob Reed, 
Robt. Alexander, Richard Hey, Benj. Couge, Geo. M. Weekley, John Johns, Levi 
Bizzard, C. N. Daniel, H. T. Gimmons, Wm. Webster, Jr., Aug. Collier, Danl. 
Stanford, Robt. Ligon, Alfred B. Gray, Wiley Moore, Levi Freeman, Jno. F, Ran- 
som, Saml. B. McNears, T. Bennett, Jno. Banks, Robt. Cameron, Eralborne Leg- 
more, Thos. B. Wells, Beverly Slaughter, A. F. Harris, Jno. Crumley, Asa Wade, 
Euclid Waterhouse, Jno. Humphrey, Moses Bradberry, John Jolly, W. G. Mitchell, 
L. M. Wilson, Wm. E. Aikin, Jno. S. Simpson, Wm. Cornway, Ann Glenn, Jas. R. 
Cox, Thos. Smith, Wm. A. Sinkler, Jas. Summerville, Saml. Hayse, Willis Richards, 
Geo. S. Street, Jno. Byard, Jiles S. Boggs, Jos. Wilders, Wm. Stocks, E. W. Hack- 
ett, Jos. Alba, Isaac Newberry, M. Oliver, Thos. Massey, John Pate, Henry Ware, 
Elijah Williams, Wm. Smith and Wm. Boling. 

Graduates of Georgia Tech. — M. S. Cone, R. D. Harvey, D. Harrison, C. W. 
Hill, Felix H. Lanham, Frank R. Maddox, Pierce McGhee, W. F. Montgomery, 
John H. Towers, W. R. Reese, C. M. Simmons and Linton G. Watters. Former 




ROME IN 1857 (Courtesy of Luke McDonald.) 




COL. MARK ANTHONY HARDIN 



522 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A "LANDSLIDE" NOT QUITE POLITICAL. 

Early in 1921, late at night, a part of the old Shorter College wall gave awayi 
and crushed Wilson Hardy's garage like an egg-shell. Mr. Hardy's friends declared 
this is what conies of owning one bank and living next to another. 



students— Dick Harrison, B. I. Hughes, Jr., John Jervis, T. N. Kennebrew, E. E. 
Lindsey, James Maddox, R. L. Nichols, A. A. Simonton, Norris N. Smith, Dr. H. 
A. Turner, Geo. P. Weathers, Joe White and J. Tim Willis. Students— R. B. 
Betts, R. G. Burkhalter, S. P. Coalson, James D'Arcy, B. E. Huffaker, J. H. Tay- 
lor and J. W. Weems. Other Tech men in Floyd County — Quin McArver, Coosa ; 
V. M. Davis, Cave Spring; C. H. Edmondson and J. W. Houseal, Lindale; J. T. 
Watters, Hermitage. 



Home-Coming Visitors, Oct. 11-16, 1920— L. W. Arnold and wife and C. K. 
Ayer, Atlanta; Elmo Ballew, Calhoun; J. M. Brisendine, Griffin; B. M. Brewer 
and wife, Chattanooga, Tenn.; B. S. Barner, Gainesville; F. F. Berry, Cambridge, 
Mass.; George Battey, Jr., Dr. H. I. Battey and H. Branch, Atlanta; Mrs. D. C. 
Buell, Nashville, Tenn.; J. H. Bradfield and Chas. Berst, Atlanta; R. G. Black, 
Washington, D. C; Miss Amy K. Crook, Bluff ton, Ala.; Mrs. S. J. Cobb, Gads- 
den, Ala.; Whit Cooper, Salem, Oreg. ; J. L. Couch, Atlanta; Mrs. B. H. Cannon, 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa; W. B. Cody and Roy Chamblee, Atlanta; Mrs. J. W. Craw- 
ford, Dalton; Mrs. L. A. Crumley, Miss Lena Clark and G. B. Carther, Atlanta; 
Mrs. J. R. DuBose, Lorain, O.; J. F. Davis, Gadsden, Ala.; Maj. R. C. Eddy, Sims- 
bury, Conn.; H. A. Ewing, Atlanta; Jay Fowler, Subligna; Mrs. F. F. Foster, 
Selma, Ala.; Jesse Foster, Atlanta; Mrs. A. B. Freeman, New Orleans, La.; Ward 
Greene and wife. Miss Mary Glenn, L. C. Goering, Jr., J. C. Gentry and R. L. 
Haire, Atlanta; Mrs. H. R. Hume, Cedar Bluff, Ala.; Mrs. R. M. Heptinstall, 
Lawton, Okla.; Mrs. J. M. Hunt, Jora Harrison, I. W. Hill, G. W. Hanson, J. N. 
Hull, H. S. Hammett and Maj. Baxter Hunter, Atlanta; H. B. Harper, Evansville, 
Ind.; Mrs. J. H. Hawkins, Youngs; P. C. Haire, Greenville, Ala.; H. R. Hume, 
Cedar Bluff, Ala.; Shelley Ivey, Shelley Ivey, Jr., Fred Jones, Lang Jones and 
John Jentzen, Atlanta; K. E. Johnston, Montpelier, Vt.; E. M. Jones, Tampa, Fla.; 
Steve R. Johnston, Miss Frances Jones, Miss Lucille Jones, J. L. Key and A. R. 
King, Atlanta; G. E. Kammerer, Wilmington, N. C; Mrs. Howard King, Nash- 
ville, Tenn.; J. C. Landers, Eastman; H. L. Lansdell and wife, Atlanta, Ga. ; 
E. A. Leonard and wife, Summerville; J. N. Landers, Atlanta; W. E. Meredith, 
Doe Run; Gip Mc Williams, Ooltewah, Tenn.; Mrs. R. M. Martin, Columbia, Tenn.; 

A. J. Miller, A. H. Martin and W. F. Moat, Atlanta; Mrs. Clopton Mitchell, Chevy 
Chase, Md.; Andy McElroy. Atlanta; J. W. McCord, Tallahassee, Fla.; James 

B. Nevin, Atlanta; Geo. C. Norton, Nashville, Tenn.; R. S. Pringle, W. C. Pierce, 



Miscellaneous — Lists 



523 



E. A. Randle, J. O. Reynolds, Hill Shropshire, Miss Tommie Strickland, Joe 
Spiegelberg, J. R. Seawright and I. F. Styron, Atlanta; Mrs. Alvah Stone, Roan- 
oke, Va.; Paul Stevenson, Mrs. Jno. E. Smith, Ralph Smith and wife and Jno. E. 
Smith, Atlanta; Miss Margaret Taylor and Miss Frances Taylor, Bowling Green, 
Ky.; Mrs. J. G. Tracy, Syracuse, N. Y.; Mrs. C. C. Turner, L. M. Turner, Jr., 
Cedartown; Miss Jessie Turner, J. S. Turner, Lieut. F. B. Teganer, Ralph Trate, 
Miss Marion Van Dyke and H. B. Vaughan, Atlanta; Miss Ora White, Subligna; 
Miss Mary White, Atlanta; A. W. Walton, Decatur, Ala.; D. R, Wilder and B. 
Graham West, Atlanta. 



Rome Volunteer Fire Department Chiefs from Apr. 6, 1868 — Jas. Noble, Jr., 
3 years; Harry A. Hills, 3 years (secretary National Fire Chiefs' Convention) ; 
Henry A. Smith, 3 years; Richard V. Allen, 1 year; Mulford M. Pepper, 1 year; 
Richard V. Allen, 2 years; Wm. M. Towers, 1 year; Mulford M. Pepper, 1 year; 
Louis J. Wagner, 3 years; Wm. W. Seay, 2 years; Wm. H. Steele, 2 years; J. D. 
Hanks, 2 years; Thomas J. Cornelius, 2 years; Joseph B. Owens, 1 year; Wm. J. 
Griffin, 1 year; Arthur M. Word, 1 year; P. H. Vandiver, 2 years; Harry C. Har- 
rington, 7 years with Volunteers, until beginning as fully paid department of city 
(July 1, 1908) ; J. Albert Sharp, Horace L. Taylor. 



Rainbotv Steam, Fire Engine Co. No. 1, (organized Apr. 6, 1868 — list from 1902 
to 1908). Motto: "When duty calls us, it is ours to respond." 

Honorary Members: Thomas R. Logan, M. D. McOsker, G. H. Rawlins, Henry 

A. Smith, W. P. McLeod, James A. Smith, W. H. Steele, Wm. M. Towers, H. 
Yancey, George Ramey. 

Active Members: J. D. Hanks, Pres. ; Andrew V. Brown, V. P.; Frank J. 
Kane, Sec'y; J- H. Lanham, Treas.; Tom Caldwell, 1st Director; W. E. Bryan, 
2nd Director; R. W. Calloway, 3rd Director; John Cantrell, 4th Director; Dr. 
R. H. Wicker, Surgeon; Jas. McLeod and A. W. Davis, Pipemen; L. A. Helms 
and G. F. Redden, Axmen; A. M. Word, Delegate; Jas. M, Lay, Geo. Ramey and 
W. M. Towers, Trustees; James M. Dempsey, Driver; Gib Austin, Asst. Driver; 
Walter Quin, John Watson and R. V. Mitchell, Finance Committee; J. A. Buf- 
fington, A. B. McArver, Wm. May, Jr., Joe Johnson, Frank Holtzclaw, W. M. 
Lanham, W. J. Atwood, Eugene Logan, Tom Tolbert, Albert Sharp, George Sharp, 
W. L. Tolbert, Newt Tolbert and A. Randle. 

Floyd County World War Victi7n.s. — Capt. Thomas Edward Grafton, Lieut. 
Lofton H. Stamps, Lieut. Roy Lanham, Lieut. A. Walton Shanklin, Cadet James 
Hugh Webb, Sgt. Raymond Lee Johnson, Julius Clyde Price (U. S. N.), Addis E. 
Moore, William Joseph Attaway, George M. Fisher, Allen D'Arcy, Carl Davis, 
George E. Davis, Clifford Davis Washington, Penny Spann and Albert Wright, 
Rome; Lester Taylor, Wax; Quillian Hayes, Robert J. McClain, Robert J. Stan- 
sell, Archie C. Autrey, Mikel Whalem Satterfield, Porter Williams, Thomas L. 








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ROME'S OLDEST BANK NOTE. (Courtesy of Chas. J. Warner.) 



524 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 







JOHN M. VANDIVER (left) AND CAPT. JNO. C. FOSTER. 

Williams, Maynard Neal, Myley B. McCauley and Alonzo O. Staggers, Lindale; 
James P. Williams, Frank McGinnis and Frank Sewell, Cave Spring; Thomas 
Claude Horton, Everett Springs; Buford McCullough, Silver Creek; Chas. W. 
Graves, Rome. 



ROME COMMITTEE ON WORLD WAR MEMORIAL. 

Judge Joel Branham, Judge John W. Maddox, Judge Max Meyerhardt, John 
M. Vandiver, John M. Graham, Wright Willingham, Harry P. Meikleham, Rev. H. 
F. Saumenig, E. E. Lindsey, E. A. Heard, John C. Printup, T. E. Edwards, Ike 
D. Gailliard, James D'Arcy, Mrs. J. Lindsay Johnson, Mrs. Charles E. Berry, Mrs. 
Charles A. Hight, Mrs. W. M. Henry, Mrs. Bessie Battey Troutman, Mrs. J. Paul 
Cooper, Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, Mrs. James A. Rounsaville, Miss Lillie Mitchell. 
Chairmen of militia districts: Armuchee, John W. Salmon; Barker's, W. E. 
Powell; Chulio, Barclay Terhune; Cave Spring, A. N. Tumlin; Etowah, John F. 
Sproull; Everett Springs, A. R. Griffith; Foster's Mill, John L. Simms; Floyd 
Springs, W. M. McKenzie; Glenwood, O. L. Titrud; Howell's, J. H. Johnson; Lin- 
dale, H. P. Meikleham; Livingston, J. B. Williams; Mt. Alto, R. C. Sharp; North 
Carolina, M. L. Espy; State Line, O. D. Brown; Texas Valley, Foster Selman; 
Vann's Valley, J. M. Montgomery; Watters, Homer Davis. 



Boys and Girls at School and College. — September has come and with it the 
opening of schools and colleges, and Rome boys and girls are preparing to leave. 

Earl Shamblin and James Barefield have left for Auburn, and last evening Bob 
Graves, Jr., and John Bachman, Jr., went to Davidson to prepare for Princeton. 

About September 20 the following will go to Atlanta to enter Georgia Tech: 
Hamilton and Wallace Grant, Harold McKew, Dennison Hull, William Penn Dan- 
iel, Julian Gumming, Brette Hammond, John Robert Brannon, Dick Denny, Oscar 
Betts and Erwin Leimbrook. 

Loyd Fickling, Robert Harbin, Henry Powers and Cyrus Fields will go about 
the 18th to the University at Athens. 

Curry Porter, Walker and Denny Curry will return to G. M. A. in Atlanta. 

Porter Harvey, Marion Watson, Will Sherard, William Wilkerson, William 



Miscellaneous — Lists 



525 




ROME'S YOUNGEST CARTOONIST AT WORK. 

church and a strong singer as well as an artist. 



526 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




DOCTORS HONOR ROME SURGEON WITH SHAFT. 

On Thursday, April 5, 1921, the Medical Association of the State of Georgia unveiled a 
monument at City Hall park to the late Dr. Robert Battey, at its annual meeting in Rome. 
Dr. Howard A. Kelly, of Baltimore, delivered the principal address, and the monument was 
accepted for the city by E. E. Lindsey. A group of the Seventh District Medical Society, 
which started the movement, is shown above. 



Strange and Cundy Bryson will be among the Rome boys at Emory. They expect 
to leave about the 24th. 

Albert Swain will be at Mercer and William Wimbish will go to Young-Harris. 

Miss Laura Weller Graham leaves the 12th for Sweetbriar College in Vir- 
ginia, Miss Ora Cole the following day for Winston-Salem, Miss Kathleen Bar- 
ron the 19th to Hollins Institute at Hollins, Va.; Miss Marshall Norton, the 18th, 
to Sophie Newcomb, at New Orleans; Miss Mildred McFall to Barnard College, 
New York; Miss Pearl Smith will return to Agnes Scott; Misses Mildred Wood, 
Virginia Daniel, Florence Burney, Katherine Beysiegel, Gertrude and Louise De- 
Lay will again enroll at G. N. I. C. at Milledgeville. 

At Wesleyan, in Macon, will be Misses Doris Morris and Mary and Sarah Wil- 
kerson. 

Miss Louise Orr will return to Bethel College, at Hopkinsville, Ky., and Miss 
Katherine Cox will again be at Peabody, in Nashville. 

Misses Bonnie and Grace Hale will return to LaGrange Female College at 
La Grange. 

Misses Mary Harrison, Mary McKoy and Lila Willingham returned Wednes- 
day to Forsyth, where they will resume their work at Bessie Tift. 

Among the Rome girls who will attend Shorter College at Rome are the fol- 
lowing: Misses Rebecca Yeargan, Virginia Penn, Patti Berry, Olyra Horton, 
Ruby Mae Sherard, Ruby Mae Ward, Emma Jane Hanna, Geraldine McKenzie, 
Lillian Venable, Evelyn Cantrell, Mary Warters, May Morton, Elizabeth Ram- 
cy, Miriam McConnell, Minette Weems, Sarah Glover, Mabel Owens, Edith 
McKenzie and Isabel Bross.— Sept. 9, 1921. 

Home-Coming Queen Entrants, 1921. — Louise Berry (winner) , Betty Betts, 
Tot Moultrie, Maynor Montgomery, Bobby Daniel, Ruby Wilkerson, Minette 
Weems, Patti B. Berry, Elise Stamps, Virginia Dixon, Annie Mae Bachman, Diana 
Meyerhardt, Louise Shamblin, Maybeth Graham, Lucille Nicholson, Maebeth 
Hagin, Shelia Roberts, Eleanor Graham, Polly McGill, Eugenia Malone, Janice 
McCormack, Goodwyn Denny, Josephine Arrington, Mary Best, Cobbie Mae Dean, 
Hazel Blackstock, Elizabeth Bryan, Jessie Collier, Beth Turner, Ruby Wilson, 
Virginia Mann, Inez Carter, Mildred Burney, Willine Roberts, Katherine Daniel, 



Miscellaneous — Lists 



527 




IMPROVING THE BICEPS ON TOWER HILL. 

Prof. E. Montague Gammon, principal of the Rome High School, exercising a group of 
his charges with iron dumb-bells, about 1897. Prof. Gammon was the "giant" of Rome at 
this time, and took part in most of the athletic games with his younger brother. Von Al- 
bade Gammon. The third boy in the picture is Dr. Robert O. Simmons. 



Velma Maxwell, Blanche Wilkins, Julia Pope Smith, Isabel Bross, Edith McKen- 
zie, Lee Ella Dean, Mary Emma Saunders, Evelyn Harrington, Miriam McConnell, 
Verda Broach, Ruth Colegate, Mrs. Kenneth Hamilton, Mrs. Leo F. Hackett, Mrs. 
Max Kuttner, Mrs. Felton Jones and Mrs. Garden Bunn. 

Rome Chapter, Shorter College Alumvae Association, 1921 — Miss Daisy Allen, 
Mrs. Leland Angle, Mrs. A. B. Arrington, Sr., Miss Amelia Berry, Mrs. Carl 
Betts, Miss Elizabeth Betts, Miss Mary Boyd, Mrs. Bestor Brown, Miss Hattie 
Benjamin, Mrs. Josie Hine Boozer, Mrs. J. R. Cantrell, Miss Ethel Cantrell, Miss 
Eva Cantrell, Mrs. M. A. Cooper, Mrs. J. P. Cooper, Mrs. Mark Cooper, Miss Imo 
Coulter, Miss Gertrude Cheney, Miss Jessie Cheney, Mrs. J. C. Davis, Miss Gobble 
Mae Dean, Mrs. R. A. Denny, Mrs. Tom Davison, Mrs. Paul Doyal, Miss Moselle 
Eubanks, Miss Nellie Vail Eubanks, Mrs. Albert Fahy, Mrs. Walter Futrelle, Mrs. 
Robt. W. Graves, Mrs. Mel Gammon, Mrs. James Glover, Mrs. John M. Graham, 
Mrs. E. P. Grant, Mrs. W. T. Guest, Mrs. W. B. Hale, Mrs. Linton Hamilton, Miss 
Edith Harvey. Miss Lillie Hardin, Miss Elizabeth Harris, Mrs. Ed. Harris, Mrs. 
Wm. P. Harbin, Miss Gussie Henderson, Mrs. A. C. Hogg, Miss Sara Hardy, 
Miss Rosa Hammond, Miss Ada Jenkins, Mrs. C. W. King, Miss Elizabeth 
Knowles, Mrs. Will Ledbetter, Mrs. John Ledbetter, Mrs. Bessie M. Law- 
rence, Mrs. E. E. Lindsey, Mrs. T. W. Lipscomb, Mrs. Ed. Maddox, Mrs. F. G. 
Merriam, Mrs. D. A. Moore, Mrs. A. B. S. Moseley, Miss Maynor Montgomery, Mrs. 
Geo. Miller, Mrs. Arthur Milhollin, Mrs. Glover McGhee, Mrs. Frank McGhee, 
Mrs. Pierce McGhee, Mrs. Oscar McWilliams. Mrs. Mark McDonald, 
Mrs. Luke McDonald, Miss Lilly Nunnally, Mrs. Pennington Nixon, Mrs. 
J. B. Owens, Mrs. J. H. O'Neill, Miss Leni O'Neill, Miss Alice Parks, rs. Joe Pal- 
mer, Miss Alida Printup, Mrs. Ed. Proctor, Mrs. C. S. Pruden, Mrs. G. C. Phillips, 
Mrs. R. 0. Pitts, Jr., Miss Miriam Reynolds, Miss Gussie Ross, Miss Mattie Sheib- 
ley, Mrs. George B. Smith, Miss Florence Smith, Mrs. C. S. Sparks, Mrs. Boiling 
Sullivan, Miss Lilly Trawick, Mrs. E. P. Treadaway, Mrs. Clarence Todd, Mrs. 
Leonard Todd, Mrs. Henry A. Turner, Miss Cordelia P. Veal, Mrs. A. W. Van 
Hoose, Miss Fannie Wood, Miss Susie Warlick, Miss Ruth Watters, Miss Lilly 
Williamson, Miss Mary Williamson, Miss Ethel Wilkerson, Miss Eleanor Wilcox, 
Mrs. C. J. Wyatt, Mrs'. William Wyatt, Mrs. Leila Hill Wright, Miss Mary Julia 
Woodruff and Mrs. Ben C. Yancey. 

Floyd County Road Work District Committees, 1921— Armuchee, Dr. J. H. Grif- 
fin Kieffer Lindsey, J. C. Lovell ; Barker's, J. D. Washington, Ernest Taylor, J. H. 
Orr; Cave Spring, G. W. Williamson, A. J. Spence, C. W. Wright; Chulio, Sam 
R. Ellis, Smiley Johnson, Sr., J. C. Couch; Etowah, Kinney Fincher, W. G. Kerce, 
Jno. F. Sproull; Everett Springs, J. H. Barton, S. H. Dew, J. C. Everett; Floyd 



528 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Springs, J. F. Barnett, J. F. Martin, W. M. McKenzie; Foster's Mill, R. B. Simms, 
Wade McGhee, Jas. A. Cantrell; Glenwood, H. E. Cochrell, O. L. Titrud, L. A. 
Dean; Howell's, F. M. Shiflett, J. P. Morris, J. H. Johnson; Lindale, J. E. Smith, 
J. V. Lemaster, Sam Johnson; Livingston, J. A. Webb, J. P. Cuzzort, J. B. Wil- 
liams; Mount Alto, R. M. Patillo, W. E. Camp, R. C. Sharp; North Carolina, 
J. W. Brown, W. E. Vann, Kinney Brock; State Line, J. T. Early, W. M. Kerr, 
J. C. King; Texas Valley, W. C. Cordle, H. J. Green, W. S. Evans; Watters, J. T. 
Watters, L M. Dodd, T. H. Smith; Vann's Valley, C. L. Powers, W. S. Simms, 
J. T. Spann. 

Members Rome Kiwanis Club, Nov. 27, 1921— Homer N. Arrington, Geo. E. 
Bennett, Dr. Carl L. Betts, O. L. Betts, Ross Bosworth, T. Berry Broach, C. B. 
Brown, James W. Bryson, W. L Burkhalter, Chas. N. Burks, Grover C. Byars, 
A. F. Cantrell, Robt. H. Clagett, Tom Clemmons, Harry C. Collins, Richard B. 
Combs, Paul M. Cousins, Leon H. Covington, Linton A. Dean, James W. Fryer, 
Jr., W. E. Fuller, C. N. Featherston, Saml. L. Graham, Kenneth Hamilton, Dr. 
Wm. P. Harbin, B. F. Harris, G. Glenn Harris, Evan P. Harvey, Geo. H. Hays, 
Emmett A. Heard, Gordon L. Hight, Rev. Harry F. Joyner, H. E. Kelley, Hender- 
son L. Lanham, Albert Lehmann, Jr., Dr. M. M. McCord, Hugh McCrary, E. Pierce 
McGhee, J. Frank McGhee, Jr., James Maddox, T. N. Merriam, Paul Nixon, W. 
Joseph Nunnally, H. B. Neal, B. F. Parker, Byard F. Quigg, Hughes T. Reynolds, 
O. R. Ross, W. Sinclair Rowell, Dr. A. F. Routledge, Harry H. Shackelton, Louis 
N. Shahan, Jr., C. M. Strange, W. O. Tarpley, Ernest L. Wright, Benj. C. Yancey. 
Hilary F. Yeargan, W. U. Barefield, Lester C. Bush, M. S. Cone, S. J. Davis, A. E. 
Drew, Robt. M. Gibson, U. N. Howell. Wm. J. Marshall and A. E. Purvianoe. 

MEMBERS OF THE ROME CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 1921. 

Anchor Duck Mills, Amer. Ry. Exp. Co., T. C. Autry, I. M. Adams, C. B. 
Brown, T. B. Broach, C. W. Boockholdt, Best Motor Car Co., Burnes-White Merc. 
Co., W. L Burkhalter, C. E. Berry, D. W. Barnett, S. P. Coalson, Caldwell Ptg. 
Co., Richard B. Combs, Lamar Camp, D. W. Curry, T. E. Clemmons, Davis Fdry. 
& Mch. Wks., Darlington School, Rev. Gordon Ezzell, The Fahy Store, First Na- 
tional Bank, E. R. Fishburne, Gibson & DeJournette, Peyton Grimm, L. F. Hackett, 
Harbin Hospital, P. J. Henderson, Junius Hillyer, Harvey-Given Co., J. W. 
Houseal, J. P. Jones, H. C. Johnson, Jervis-Davidson Co., S. H. Kress & Co., H. L. 
Lanham, T. W. Lipscomb, Ledbetter Bros., Rev. E. R. Leyburn, Dr. M. M. McCord, 
Wallace H. McRae, Montgomery & Co., McCord-Stewart Co., Dr. T. C. Mason, Dr. 




VIEW OF ROME FROM TOWER HILL. 



Miscellaneous — Lists 



529 



J. D, Moreland, W. G. McWilliams, H. W. Morton, Mahan Co., McWilliams & Co., 
Norton Drug Co., Paul Nixon, G. C. Phillips Motor Co., B. F. Quigg, Rome Mfg. 
Co., J. M. Randall, W. S. Rowell, Rome Coca-Cola Co., Rome Bakery Co., Rome 
Farm Equip. Co., L. W. Rogers Co.. Rome Whistle Bott. Co., Rome Ry. & Lt. Co., 
Norris N. Smith & Co., S. H. Smith, Standard Oil Co., Shorter College, Dr. Geo. B. 
Smith, Standard Sewer Pipe Co., Dr. R. O. Simmons, W. C. Tucker, Utter-Johnson 
Co., Tony Vincenzi, Rev. Jno. H. Wood, Moses Wright, Dr. Wm. Winston, Willing- 
ham, Wright & Covington, Atlantic Ice & Coal Corp., B. F. Archer, G. H. Albea, 
A. S. Burney, Brittain Bros. Co., Bowie Stove Co., Battey Mch. Co., J. S. Bach- 
man, W. P. Bradfield, D. A. Boulgaris, Chas. Blackstock, Commercial Printing Co., 
Consolidated Groc. Co., Culpepper-Storey Co., C. I. Carey, Leon H. Covington, J. B. 
Chidsey, Sam J. Davis, Rev. E. F. Dempsey, L. A. Dean, Dr. B. V. Elmore, Fifth 
Ave. Drug Co., Fidelity Loan & Trust Co., Graves-Harper Co., W. M. Gammon & 
Sons, Ben Gann, Harper Mfg. Co., Hight Access. Co., Dr. Chas. Hamilton, Hale 
Drug Co., E. A. Heard, Harper Hamilton, Hanks Stove & Range Co., Rev, H. F. 
Joyner, Harry Johnson, Keith & Gray, J. Kuttner & Co., E. E. Lindsey, E. A. 
Leonard Co., Gordon Lee, Merriam Coal Co., Maddox & Doyal, W. H. Mitchell, Dr. 
J. T. McCall, Geo. P. Weathers, Miller Cash Store, Hugh McCrary, E. J. Moul- 
trie, James Maddox, Max Meyerhardt, National City Bank, E. H. Norrell, Parsons 
& Ward, Pete Petropol, Rome Oil Mill, O. R. Ross, Dr. A. F. Routledge, Rome 
Chero-Cola Bott. Co., Rome News, Rome Supply Co., B. E. Rakestraw & Co., 
L. C. Robertson, Rome Box & Mfg. Co., Rome Hosiery Mills, F. L. Sammons, H. H. 
Shackelton, Stotts Bros., Rev. J. E. Sammons, R. C. Sharp, W. T. Sherard, Stamps 
& Co., John T. Taylor, Updegrove Mkt. Assn., John M. Vandiver, Walker Elec. & 
PI. Co., C. O. Walden, Wyatt Jewelry Co., Hamilton Yancey L Agy., Geo. B. 
Wood, O. P. Willingham, Young-Hamilton Jewelry Co., Dr. R. E. Andrews, As- 
rington-Buick Co., J. L. Adams, Thos. Berry, Bradfield & Striplin, Hugh H. Best, 
J. L. Brannon & Co., J. W. Bryson, Bartlett Auto E. Co., Beard & Helton, W. H. 
Bennett, Dr. R. P. Cox, R. E. Carter, Citizens' Bank, Central of Ga. Ry., Andrew 
A. Cooper, Curry-Arrington Co., Daniel Furniture Co., Dempsey & Holloway, 
Etowah Cooperage Co., Exide Battery Service Co., Floyd County Bank, A. R. 
Fouche, Geston Garner, GrifRn-Cantrell Hdwe. Co., Holder Coal & Lumber Co., 
G. H. Hays, W. W. Hawkins, W. T. Huff, Hill & Owens, Howel Cotton Co. of Ga.. 
Geo. W. Hamby, Hale-Brannon Co., Jones Poster Adv. Co., James Supply Co., 
Jas. H. Keown, C. J. King & Starr, Dr. T. E. Lindsey, A. Lehmann, Jr., Kieffer 
Lindsey, McGhee Cotton Co., McWilliams Feed & Groc. Co., Paul L Morris, Mar- 
shall Cigar Co., E. Pierce McGhee, Marshall Mfg. Co., Dr. L. F. McKoy, G. H. Mc- 
Rae, McGhee Tire Co., McDonald Furniture Co., W. J. Nunnally, Nixon Hwde. 
Co., H. B. Parks & Co., Persinger Co., Rome Tribune-Herald, Rome Merc. Co., 
Rome Furn. Co., Geo. S. Reese, R. J. Ragan, Rome Mch. & Fdry. Co., Rabuzzi 
& Thomas, Rome Stationery Co., Rome Laundry Co., H. T. Reynolds, Standard 
Marble Co., Simpson Groc. Co., H. A. Spencer, Southern Bell T. & T. Co., Dr. W. 
J. Shaw, Geo. G. Stiles, Towers & Sullivan Co., Third Avenue Hotel, Dr. F. E. 
Vaissiere, Thos. Warters, B. E. Welch, R. E. Wilson, Wyatt Book Store, Dr. J. C. 
Watts and O. Willingham. 






*. *- 










THE HORSE IN THE DAYS OF HIS UNDISPUTED RIGHT-OF-WAY. 

Memorial Day marshals, snapped on the old Land Company Bridge about 20 years ago. 
From left to right the riders are J. H. Camp, Capt. A. B. S. Moseley, Col. A. B. Montgomery, 
Capt. Henry S. Lansdell, W. Addison Knowles and Terrell Speed, "Coonskin Statesman." 



530 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




TIDING THE FARMER OVER THE CRISIS. 

The pictures above show scenes at Rome's curb market, started in 1921 by the Woman's 
Auxiliary of the Chamber of Commerce, with Mrs. Bessie B. Troutman in charge, and onat 
of the first trading meccas in Georgia under the new plan, which seeks to remove the 
farmer from the influence of exploiters and put him in a position to make a living by direct 
trading at a fixed price. 



Girl Scout Organization. — The Rome Council, Girl Scouts of America, was 
organized Nov. 11, 1921, with Mrs. Howard Hull as commissioner. In October, 
1922, the officers were as follows: Mrs. W. H. Lewis, commissioner; Mrs. J. Paul 
Cooper, deputy commissioner; Mrs. Wm. Winston, deputy commissioner; Mrs. 
R. L. Wilson, secretary; Mrs. S. B. Norton, treasurer. 

The Eecutive Committee was made up of the officers and Mrs. J. H. O'Neill 
and Mrs. C. Bryant Graves. 

In 1921 John and Will Ledbetter, representing the Cloudland Park Corpora- 
tion, developers of the mountain resort known as Cloudland, Chattooga County, 
gave a ten-acre tract of land to the Cherokee Council of Boy Scouts at Cloudland, 
for camp purposes. They also presented a site some distance away from the 
Boy Scout camp for the girls' summer playground, and this latter is now known 
as Camp Juliette Lowe, after the Scout leader from Savannah by that name. 
Miss Dorris S. Hough, of Southern Regional headquarters, 84 Marietta Street, 
Atlanta, is in charge. Mrs. J. P. Cooper, Mrs. J. H. O'Neill and Mrs. W, H. 
Lewis represented the Rome Council in the negotiations and construction. 



Miscellaneous — Lists 



531 



A few shacks were built by the boys in 1921, and in 1922 others were added. 
The girls have an assembly hall, 40x72 feet. The grounds of each camp are high 
and healthful, and each season finds larger numbers of Scouts attending. The 
length of stay is usually two weeks. Ample facilities are offered for bathing and 
athletic games, in addition to the Scout progi-ams. 

Rome is proud of the second girl in Georgia to receive the order of the 
Golden Eaglet. She is Virginia Robert Lipscomb, of Troop 2. 
The eight troops, their officers and members follow: 

ROME GIRL SCOUT TROOPS. 

Troop 1, — Mrs. Julian Reese, captain (Mrs. Andrew Cooper resigned in Sep- 
tember, 1922) ; Ellen Hagin, lieutenant. 



Madeline Peacock, 
Louise Caldwell, 
Lucille Scott, 
Frances Bridgen, 
Mary Hammer, 
Margaret Landrell, 
Lulu Schnedl, 
Elizabeth Wilkins, 
Marguerite McKenzie, 



Evelyn McDonald, 
Louise Harbour, 
Mary Louise Stillwell, 
Daisy Harrington, 
Mildred Tippen, 
Lillian McCormack, 
Annie Hicks, 
Juanita Schnedl, 
Martha White, 



Nellie Cooley, 
Marion Peacock, 
Annie Harris, 
Evelyn Copeland, 
Marguerite Elmore, 
Isabel Wilkins, 
Ollie Drummond, 
Anna L. Venable, 



Janie Shropshire. 

Troop 2. — Mrs. Mark A. Cooper, captain; Mrs. Gordon Hight and Mrs. Dorris 
Morris, lieutenants; Virginia Robert Lipscomb (the Golden Eaglet). 



Florence Morgan, 
Elizabeth Morris, 
Juliet Graves, 
Maynor McWilliams, 
Elizabeth McRae, 
Martha Ledbetter, 
Margaret Hardin, 
Media Godwin, 
Ruth McConnell, 
Sarah Malone, 
Bessie McConnell, 

Troop 3.— Mrs. Will 

Margaret Bryson, 
Mary J. Doyal, 
Ruth Maddox, 
Mildred Wilkerson, 
Myra Daniel, 
Adelaide Simpson, 
Elizabeth Hand, 
Katherine Phillips, 
Lucy E. Trammell, 
Rose Williams, 

Troop 4. — Miss Rae 

Ruth Mendelson, 
Rebecca Mendelson, 
Sadie Sheppard, 
Lillie Miller, 



Olivia Coalson, 
Dorothy Stamps, 
Anna King, 
Bonnie Angle, 
Sinclair Norton, 
Martha Porter, 
Dorothy Ledbetter, 
Cornelia Littleton, 
Helen McCloud, 
Sarah Belle Penrod, 
Katherine Burney, 

Wimberly, captain. 

Annette Stroud, 
Dorothy Harrison, 
Nell Daniel, 
Frances Adams, 
Mary J. Pyle, 
Willie Waters, 
Leonora Stone, 
Eunice Stone, 
Lucy E. Coulter, 
Katherine Allen, 

Sheppard, captain. 
Freda Levinston, 
Terba Pintchuck, 
Beulah Mendelson, 
Mildred Esserman, 
Fagie Esserman, 



Elizabeth Ward, 
Elizabeth Barton, 
Joy Shackelton, 
Anna Lawrence, 
Mary Bryan, 
Edith Bryan, 
Elizabeth Lipscomb, 
Nan Elizabeth Penn, 
Elizabeth Warner, 
Dorothy Holland, 
Eleanor Lawrence. 



Katherine Gann, 
Edith Stroud, 
Frankie Daniel, 
Dorothy Trammell, 
Genevieve Burke, 
Thelma Davis, 
Imogene Dempsey, 
Elizabeth Daniel. 



Mendell Rothenburg, 
Celia Lesser, 
Fannie Shapiro, 
Edna Esserman. 



ant 



Troop 5. — Miss Louie Crawford, captain. 

Patti W. McGhee, Mildred Crawford, 

Mary Harbin, Frances Ledbetter, 

Martha King, Marjorie Moreland, 

Ellen Harvey, Louise Hardin, 

Louise Smith, Mary L. Slaton, 

Mattie Wall Glover, 

Troop 6. — Miss Verda Broach, captain; Miss Diana Meyerhardt, first lieuten- 
; Miss Louise ShamlDlin, second lieutenant. 

Sarah Rose, Helen Tate, Louise Loveless, 

Helen Ellis, Lena Miller, Ludie Higgins, 



Christine Frix, 
Jean Landrum, 
fean Hancock, 
Viae K. Ennis, 
Josephine Brazelton. 



532 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Lulu Stanley, 
Myrtle Stone, 
Eunice Fricks, 
Frances Wunden, 

Troop 7. — Mrs. James 

Virginia Moore, 
Agnes Moss, 
Elizabeth Wilkins, 
Amy Lou Lester, 
Irma Farom, 
Augiista Ragsdale, 
Louise Johnson, 
Opal Hill, 



Adele Lumpkin, 
Janie Hill, 
Clara Ramsey, 
Marlin Beddin, 
Mabel Brown, 

O'Neill, Jr., captain; Miss 

Amy Avery, 
Jewell Lester, 
Ruby Johnson, 
Mary Broach, 
Rochelle Stewart, 
Cleo Moss, 
Susie Arnold, 
Rowie Ragsdale, 



Troop 8. — Maebeth Hagin, captain. 

Ida Coalson, Virginia McConnell, 



Margaret Coalson, 
Margaret Lansdell, 
Madeline McConnell, 



Mildred Tippin, 
Lois Wallace, 
Daisy M. Price, 



Beati'ice Phillips, 
Jane Tolbert, 
Susie Tolbert, 
Louie Brown. 



Goodwyn Denny, lieutenant. 

Adelene Wright, 
Ruth Coker, 
Alma Bishop, 
Lillian Fletcher, 
Cecelia Kughlman, 
Gertrude Shropshire, 
Anna F. Head, 
Louise Sewell. 



Lucile Dowman, 
Mary A. Davis, 
Nell Daniel. 



CHEROKEE COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA. 

Officers and members of Council (list dated June, 1922) : President, Robt. 
W. Graves; first vice-president, Geston Garner; second vice-president. Rev. Wal- 
lace Rogers; third vice-president, James Maddox; fourth vice-president, L. H. 
Covington; commissioner, H. P. Meikleham; treasurer, Julian Gumming; C. B. 
Caperton, Trion, Chattooga County chairman; Walter Shaw, LaFayette, Walker 
County chairman; A. L. Henson, Calhoun, Gordon County chairman; C. L. Vass, 
Cartersville, Bartow County chairman; Herbert Judd, Dalton, Whitfield County 
chairman; G. N. Lemmon, Marietta, Cobb County chairman; W. W. Mundy, Ce- 
dartown, Polk County chairman. 



Dr. H. F. Saumenig, 
H. T. Reynolds, 
E. Pierce McGhee, 
Prof. B. F. Quigg, 
R. H. Clagett, 
Dr. C. L. Betts, 
Joe Sulzbacher, 
H. E. Kelley, 
Isaac May, 
W. S. Cothran, 
J. N. King, 
P. H. Doyal, 
J. L. Brannon, 
J. M. Graham, 
T. J. Simpson, 
H. H. Arrington, 
Wilson Hardy, 
George Nixon, 
S. A. Marshall, 
M. S. Lanier, 
B. S. Fahy, 
H. J. Arnold, 



W. W. Woodruff, 
G. L. Hight, 
J. B. Chidsey, 
Mather Daniel, 
J. W. Quarles, 
T. E. Edwards, 
H. F. Yeargan, 
L. B. Gammon, 
S. B. Norton, 
C. E. McLin, 
J. B. Sullivan, 
N. N. Smith, 
Dr. Geo. B. Smith, 
Graham Wright, 
Hugh McCrary, 
H. L. Lanham, 
Rev. H. F. Joyner, 
J. E. Sammons, 
Rev. E. R. Leyburn, 
Rev. John H. Wood, 
Thos. D. Caldwell, 
Dr. M. M. McCord, 



B. C. Yancey, 
R. B. Combs, 
J. P. Cooper, 
S. H. Smith, 
W. C. Rash, 

J. H. Townes, 
E. P. Grant, 
E. P. Harvey, 

C. J. Wyatt, 
John C. Glover, 
E. L. Wright, 
J. M. Harris, 
B. S. Tilly, 

A. Lehman, 

A. P. Hardin, 
W. O. Parsons, 

B. F. Archer, 
J. M. Cooley, 

J. F. Carmany, 
S. L. Hancock, 
Homer Davis. 



BOY SCOUTS, FLOYD COUNTY, JUNE, 1922 
Troop 1, Rome. — Geston Garner, scoutmaster; C. N. Featherston, assistant. 



Ralph Griffin, 
Joe Stegall, 
Claude Saunders, 
Cyril Hull, 
Paul Carmany, 



James Hill, 
Ben Grafton, 
James Bryson, 
Riley McKoy, 
Carl Griffin, 
Clifford Carmany, 



Hendree Harrison, 
Frank Anderson, 
Frank Dobbins, 
Claude White, 
Robert Miller. 




ZACHARIAH BRANSCOME HARGROVE, one of four founders of 
Rome and a prominent Cherokee Georgia pioneer. He sleeps on the 
peak of beautiful Myrtle Hill, which once was his prized possession. 



534 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Troop 2, Rome. — Ed. L. King, scoutmaster; J. F. Brooks, assistant. 



Hayne Wicker, 
Burie Sammons, 
L. C. Mitchell, Jr., 
James Whitehead, 
Clarence Rash, 
Harbin Holland, 
Robert Wilkerson, 
Darrell McKenzie, 
Malcolmn Curdy, 

Troop 3, Rome.—W. 

John Locklear, 
Clarence Cowart, 
Alvin Minis. 
Thos. Spratling, 

Troop 4, Rome. — Dr. 

William Betts, 
Ellis Hale, 
Edmund Yeargan, 
Richard Smith, 
Will Cothran, 
William Harbin, 
Lester Harbin, 



Tom Harris, 
John T. Sessler, 
William Treadaway, 
Wesley Terrell, 
Blandford Eubanks, 
Charles Duncan, 
Howard Painter, 
Wilbur Culpepper, 
George McGinnis, 

J. Marshall, scoutmaster. 

John Hames, 
Clyde Locklear, 
Oliie Cole, 
Kellett Goodwin, 

Carl L. Betts, scoutmaster ; 

Wingfield Glover, 
James Glover, 
J. D. Bryan, 
Parks Dodd, 
William Gibbons, 
Alfred Barron, 
William Davis, 



William A. Brooks, 
Harry Pricks, 
Hillyer Johnson, 
Hendricks Landers, 
Seab Horton, 
William Jones, 
Jack Walker, 
Wallace Tatum. 



Arthur Ellison, 
Fred Mathis, 
Alton Cole, 
James Locklear. 

P. A. Landers, assistant. 

John Gumming, 
Jennings Gordon, 
Maitland Lawrence, 
Lang Gammon, 
John Maddox, 
Thomas Strickland, 
Hamilton Yancey. 



Troop 5, Rome. 
sistant. 



-C. Beecher Funderburk, scoutmaster, W. H. Powers, as- 



Leroy Wright, 
Lewis Davis, 
Lloyd Wright, 
Alton Floyd, 
Howard Langston, 
Donald Ragsdale, 
Herbert Hardin, 



Hastings Scoggins, 
Elvis Kendrick, 
Willie Kendrick, 
Donald Hall, 
Ralph Penn, 
Hugh Green, 
Shaw Hardin, 
Carl Hammond, 



John Penn, 
Bruce Clement, 
Lewis Dodson, 
Chas. Akridge, 
Henry Lovelace, 
Dean Hall, 
Grafton Copeland. 



Troop 6, Rome. — Rev. H. F. Joyner, scoutmaster; R. H. Elliott, assistant. 



Hoyt Cook, 
George Reeves, 
Preston Blackwelder, 
Harry Booz, 
Elbert Sheldon, 
Marion Free, 
Aubrey Verner, 
Otis Parsons, 



Edmund O'Connor, 
L T. O'Bryan, 
Joe Branda, 
J. Kenneth Elliott, 
C. H. Booker, 
Robert Wood, 
Cecil Branda, 
Frank Foster, 



Franks Cabes, 
Paul Hames 
John Hames, 
Ernest Bland, 
Hugh Hitchcock, 
Burton Collins, 
Claude Shiflett. 



Troop 
sistant. 



7, Rome. — Jerome C. Henson, scoutmaster; Rev. Jno H. Wood as- 



R. C. Gilmer, 
James Barton, 
J. B. Flemming, 
Clinton Flemming, 
Victor Vincenzi, 
Waring Best, 

Troop 8, Royne. — W. J. 

John House, 
Paul Grimm, 
William Holler, 
James Carey, 
Julius Cooley, 
Thomas Warters, 
Walter Jones, 
J. W. Whitehead, Jr., 



J. S. Schnedl, 
Aubrey McBrayer, 
Paul Morris, 
Benj. Archer, 
Robert Stephens, 
Wm. Montgomery, 

Carey, scoutmaster; Chas. 

Malcolm Pyle, 
Marvin House, 
G. W. Warren, 
Harold Wallace, 
Ross Montague, 
Ryan Hicks, 
Copeland Bridges, 
Roy Knight, 
Ralph Caldwell, 



John Watson, 
Murrell McGinnis, 
George Nixon, 
George Morrow, 
Gordon Higgins. 

N. Burks, assistant. 

Charles Landsell, 
Watson Clement, 
Marshall Griffin, 
George Clement, 
James Keown, 
Thos. McKinney, 
Samuel Vandiver, 
Charles Franks. 



Miscellaneous — Lists 



535 



Troop 9, Rome. — Jos. H. Lesser, scoutmaster; Hyman Esserman, assistant. 



Felix Lesser, 
Alex Pintchuck, 
Abe Aronoff, 
Phillip Friedman, 
Joe Esserman, 



Moses Esserman, 
Isadore Levy, 
Ben Esserman, 
Frank Lesser, 
Herman Lesser, 



Ike Pintchuck, 
Alex. Levison, 
Harry Esserman, 
David Freedman, 
Lazarus Levy. 



Troop 10, Rome. — Jno. K. Hardin, scoutmaster; W. E. Dunwoody, assistant. 



Edward Gaines, 
George Jones, 
Linton Broach, 
Luther Wacaster, 
John W. Hardin, 

Troop 11, Rome.— 

Robert Mixon, 
Moi-ris Keener, 
Melvin Fuller, 
Bud Keys, 
Hugh Lanham, 
John Williamson, 



Troop 12, Rome. — L. A. 

Olin A. Deitz, 
S. Leroy Hancock, 
Elmer Cooper, 
Hubert Langston, 
Clyde Langston, 
Ed. Dobson, 
Wade Conn, 



Eugene McCurry, 
Lawrence Barnett, 
Ralph Drummond, 
John Smith, 
Lindsey Ford, 

-Frank McLeod, scoutmaster. 
Huston Patterson, 



Pat Gentry, 
William Allen, 
Burk Floyd, 
Embree Walden, 
Henry Stone, 
Fred Mixon, 

Farr, scoutmaster 

Wafford Farr, 
Wallace Cooper, 
Ray Holland, 
W."C. Dobson, 
Clarke Landers, 
Eddie Conn, 
Herbert Conn, 
Allen Partee, 



W. E. 



Lawrence Wilkins, 
Varnell Littlejohn, 
Herbert Barton, 
John Smith, 
Paul Lackey. 



Vandiver Reed, 
Sharon Williams, 
James Tutton, 
Homer Masters, 
Jack Permenter, 
Lawrence Wilkins. 



Lumpkin, assistant. 

Webb Roberts, 
Lytill Dobson, 
Fred Henson, 
Esbin Henson, 
Walter McCreary, 
William Saul, 
Shaw White. 



Troop 13, Rome. — E. F. Padgett, scoutmaster; S. L. Rush, assistant. 



James W. Whatley, 
William Fain, 
Cecil White, 
Ronald Padgett, 
Thomas Davis, 
Edwin Fain, 
Guy Davis, 
Johnnie Beam, 
Harry Davis, 

Troop 14, Rome. — Wm. 

Walter Camp, 
Holmes Smith, Jr., 
Kerner Primm, 



William Ward, 
Delsar Barber, 
Winford Rush, 
Ralph Perry, 
Millard M. Fincher, 
Robt. Billingsley, 
William McCary, 
Howard Rush, 
Raymond Stephens, 

B. Broach, scoutmaster. 

John Bennett, 
Allen Hammond, 
Coley Harvey, 



Edmund Horton, 
Henley Floyd, 
Tennis Light, 
Samuel Cowan, 
Charles Hall, 
Reece Dempsey, 
Carl White, 
Hugh White, 
Winthrop Murchison. 



Ralph McCord, 
Alfred Spears, 
Victor Yeargan. 



The departure of Rev. Geo. E. Bennett in the summer of 1922 for Florida 
left a vacancy in the Scout executive's office which was filled by the selection of 
W. A. Dobson; and the death Sunday, Sept. 24, 1922, of Robt. W. Graves, presi- 
dent of the Cherokee Council, caused a vacancy in that position. Mr. Graves was 
51 years old. He was buried Tuesday, Sept. 26, in Myrtle Hill cemetery, Rome. 



Troop 1, Lindule. — 

Robert Hill, 
Charles MacDonald, 
Forrest Porter, 
Grady Rogers, 
Harry Davidson, 
Melvin Pool, 
Athos Pool, 



Roy Roach, 
Darnell Richardson, 
Wyatt Wallace, 
John B. Satterfield, 
Clarence Bowman, 
Harry Marion, 
Paul J. Marion, 
Will Ed. Hopkins, 



Rosser Wallace, 
Richard Beam, 
Bert Bruce, 
Clifford Tyson, 
Charles McCarson, Jr., 
Roscoe Reynolds, 
Roy Coggins. 



536 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Troop 2, Lindale. — 

Harry Loyd, 
Lonnie Coley, 
Glen Baker, 
Howard West, 
Harry Foss, 
Richard Smith, 
Fred Smith, 
George Morris, 

Troop 3, Lindale. — 

Harold Crow, 
Elmer Spratling, 
Wallace Rogers, 
Mark Webb, 
James Erwin, 
Victor Schram, 
Arvil Schram, 
CliflFord Merony, 
Eugene Williams, 
Wm. Thomason, 
Overton Tyson, 

Troop 4, Lindale. — 

Henry Autrey, 
Wm. Clinton, 
Huston Hendricks, 
Robt. Padgett, 
John Bagley, 
Roy Baker, 
Bill Wynn, 
Harry Stagg, 
Clarence Padgett, 
Marshall Turley, 

Troop 1, Cave Spring. 

R. W. Fincher, 
Otis Grimes, 
Earl Wilson, 
John Pruitt, 
Samuel Pari'es, 



Nixon Webb, 
Clayton White, 
Philip Duckett, 
Claude Beam,, 
Robt. Green, 
Elmer Holsomback, 
Leonard Holsomback, 
Keith Humphrey, 
Bill Jones, 



Homer Smith, 
Grady Shields, 
Robt. Stephens, 
Lonnie Roberts, 
David New, 
Cecil Looney, 
Lawrence Jackson, 
Henry Henderson, 
Gwinie Grogan, 
J. T. Gravett, 
Reuben Fields, 



Claude Eaton, 
Clyde Watson, 
Henry Neal, 
Walter Green, 
Wm. Watson, 
James Reed, 
Thos. Howe, 
Lamar Burns, 
Dewey Patterson, 
J. P. Melton, 
Leroy Watson, 



Bill Montgomery, 
Ellis Casey, 
Marshall Berry, 
William Spence, 
Bennie Jessmith, 
George Lou Albea, 



Wesley Lewis, 
Henry Parker, 
Edell Evans, 
Lewis Baker, 
Ben Godfrey, 
Joe Roberts, 
Floyd Bell, 
Barnett Barton. 



Ted. Christian, 
Jefferson Bramlett, 
L. T. Bannister, 
Clyde Cox, 
Wesley Lewis, 
Leslie Lenning, 
John Fulton, 
Will E. Hopkins, 
Paul Ray, 
Ernest Mathis. 



Alvin Gaddy, 
Roy Lanham, 
Detroy Bell, 
T. J. Craton, 
T. J. Eubanks, 
Burley Eaton, 
Donald Callaway, 
Grady Williams, 
Henry Wynn, 
Lawrence Dillingham. 



A. J. Casey, Jr., 
Weldon Griffith, 
Isaac Sewell, 
Duel Wilson, 
Louie Casey, 



GOING SNAKE'S ADVENTURE. 
— In a memorial to Congress and Pres- 
ident Jackson, John Ross and his as- 
sociates recited that the arrangements 
made by the Government agents for 
the July, 1835, council at Running 
Waters (Rome), were entirely inad- 
equate. The Indians were quartered 
in a wood convenient to the council 
ground ; they slept on the earth, and 
their horses were tethered nearby. 
Going Snake was there. He was the 
speaker of the Cherokee National 
Council and one of Ross' right-hand 
men. His son, it will be recalled, was 
occupying a "'berth" in the log cabin 
at Spring Place when John Howard 
Payne and Ross arrived there as pris- 
oners. 



Going Snake's horse got loose and 
stepped on his head while he slept. 
The chief's injuries were thought to 
have been serious, but he stayed on 
his feet and in a short while came 
around all right. 



DOLLARS AND IDEAS.— Mrs. 
Simpson Fouche Magruder expressed 
a helpful thought at the Chamber of 
Commerce banquet Jan. 1, 1921, at the 
Armstrong Hotel when she declared: 
"If I have a dollar and you have a 
dollar, and we swap, each of us still 
has only a dollar; but if I have an 
idea and you have an idea, and we 
exchange, each of us has two ideas 
which may lead to something worth 
while." 



I^ife in the Districts 



Pinson. 

By Major Tom Noodle. 
(Tribune-Herald, Nov. 24, 1920) 

Low-priced cotton is putting a crimp 
in most people's programs. I am like 
an old man I boarded with once. He 
always carried his family to the circus, 
and one fall he had no money and they 
were greatly upset over not being able 
to see the show. However, the last 
morning he found his cow had broken 
her neck. He rushed to the house and 
told his wife that providence was with 
them, to get ready, he would sell the 
cow hide and take in the show after 
all. It seems I am lucky. I planted for 
a bale of cotton, but the weevils caused 
me to miss it; therefore I have no bale 
for cheap price. 

I went to church Sunday afternoon 
and came home and found the old cow 
out and gone. She was located in a 
neighbor's garden. She put me to a 
nice trip across plowed ground on my 
way home. I beefed the calf the other 
day. The cow has not found it out 
yet. I am afraid to tell her about it. 
That cow puzzles me at times. She 
often refuses to let the milk flow. I 
pull and squeeze, but get nothing but 
a thin "speen" in the bucket till she 
consents to give it down, and now on a 
cold morning that little "speen" is no 
attractive sound. I am glad that cow 
is no twin. 

Several killed hogs last week. 
Henry Johnston and family, of Rome, 
were here last Sunday. 

Arthur Thedford was here last week. 

Most everybody out this way is fat 
and saucy. 

(Won't you invite us out to dinner^ 
Major Noodle? We of the city must eat 
now and then! — Author.) 

School begins next Monday. 

Things are getting cheaper. I hear 
that silk and whisky are off a lot. 
Land seems to be selling lower and 
cattle and stock are cheap. Diamonds 
are off a little, so is radium. Cotton 
sure is. Coal, eggs, foodstuff and fruit 
are not. Politics is off. Taxes 
are not. Money is timid. Tramps are 
increasing. Too many people are go- 
ing to town. Wages will be cheap if 
you don't look out. Because of one 
bad year on the farm is no reason to 
quit. Call the farmer an "opulent 
cuss" if you desire, but what business 



or manufacture is expected to go on 
selling below cost of production? There 
is a silver lining, however. Better 
market conditions, facilities and organ- 
ization for farmers will and must come 
or blooie ! 

One of the best ways for farmers to 
economize I find is to make their syrup 
thick and put it in jugs. Only a little 
will run out during cold weather. I am 
trying that plan. It certainly works. 
A gallon will outlast two in buckets. 
There are many ways to save if you 
will only think them out. One's wife 
will not eat so much if one will have 
her teeth pulled. I offer that sugges- 
tion. It will work out nicely. It will 
help greatly to work, save and carry on. 

By Major Tom Noodle. 
(Rome News, Sept. 13, 1921) 
Busy times. Foddel'-pulling, hay- 
making and sirup-making on hand all 
at once. 

Edgar Sanders and bride spent last 
week with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
E. S. Sanders. 




JOS. WATTERS, state senator who vigorously 
fought the so-called "fire-eaters," or men 
who wanted the Civil War in 1850. 



538 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Mrs. W. T. Garden is convalescing 
after a serious illness of three weeks. 

Some road-working been done and 
some yet to be done. 

Sam Davis was out this way Thurs- 
day. 

Cotton picking in full blast. If kept 
up with, the present crop may be gath- 
ered in September. The yield will be 
about half. 

Phew! Hot weather makes you 
sweat and fret but have to work. Lighl 
showers intersperse the torrid term, 
however. 

Will the disarmament conference 
interfere with courting? 

Mrs. Cora Hopkins' baby was quite 
sick last week. 

Hugh Sanders and Miss Minnie It- 
son were quietly married Sunday at 
Plainville, E^q. "W. M. Miller officiat- 
ing. Congratulations. 

Do they eat ham at Hamburg ^ind 
liver at Liverpool? Do they wash at 
Washington and roam at Rome? 

If weeds were cultivated, would they 
be hard to get a stand like cultivated 
plants? 

Chickens are the dickens — if they 
belong to neighbors and often if they 




COL. J. G. YEISER, in his uniform of the 
Mexican War. Col. Yeiser also fought with 
distinction in the war of 1861-1865. 



are your own. They scratch up what 
you plant, eat what comes up and 
then try to get the rest of it when it 
ripens. They begin on the fruit soon 
after it blooms and continue till it is 
gone. They eat up all outdoors, come 
into the house to devour and rob the 
stock of their meals. They eat any- 
thing and everything. One time I 
went to sleep out on the porch and 
they tried to peck out my teeth, and 
one lighted on the stove and began 
eating fried corn that was cooking. 
They are sights. They are pretty good 
eats, however, when cooked right. 

Will Gaines, Sr., who recently broke 
his arm playing ball, is doing as well 
as could be expected. 



(Sept. 19, 1921) 

Nice rain Sunday. Good deal of hay 
down, but it was needed on pastures 
and gardens. 

Rev. J. L. Hodges was called as 
pastor of Enon Church Saturday for 
another year. 

Rev. J. N. Hightower filled Rev. Mr. 
Hodges' appointment at Enon Satur- 
day and Sunday. 

Odis Drummonds and family, of 
Rome, visited his father and family 
Sunday. 

J. W. Sisk and wife, O. L. Floyd, 
wife and son, of Plainville, visited rel- 
atives here Sunday afternoon. 

I do not believe a hen can reason, 
for if she could she would not set on 
a door knob in the nest till she raised 
blood blisters on her bosom. 

It is funny to see a dog laugh. He 
just wags his tail. 

A mule carries his defense in the 
rear and fights backwards, but it is ef- 
fective. 

If the eating end of a cow is pro- 
vided for, the milking end will take 
care of itself. 

One time one of my children was 
sick at night. To be on the safe side 
I gave it castor oil. Next morning I 
found a sore toe was the trouble. 

It takes corn to curl a pig's tail. 

(Feb. 6, 1922) 

Will Johnson, who moved across the 
river Christmas, has moved back to this 
side. 

Mrs. Wiley Davis is on the sick list. 

Mrs. Lizzie Frix came up from Rome 
Thursday to visit her children and 
parents. 



Life In the Districts 



539 





540 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



W. E. Watters and Mrs. J. G. What- 
ley attended the funeral of Mrs. Net- 
tie Milner in Atlanta last week. 

School at Enon is overflowing. 

Several farmers lately had their sor- 
ghum seed and soy beans threshed. 

The old churn runs the old cat out 
of the chimney corner these days. 

Old Man Winter has not swatted all 
the flies yet; so it must be the same 
with the boll weevils. Cut your cotton 
acreage. 

I once heard a fellow say that there 
were only two classes of people — the 
caught and the uncaught. Court pro- 
ceedings reveal that thei'e is some 
truth to the statement. 

Miss Oline Arnold gave a singing 
Sunday night and Oren Dodd gave a 
singing Sunday afternoon. 

Bush Arbor. 

(Dec. 28, 1920) 
Mrs. G. A. Cantrell spent one night 
last week with her daughter, Mrs. 
Will Knight. 

P. M. Foster has vacated his school 
at Foster's academy until January 10, 
1921. 




H. A. Swinford, who is at work in 
Lindale, spent the holidays with hia 
family here. 

Mrs. C. A. Cantrell and Mrs. Will 
Knight had dinner Sunday with J. P. 
Swinford, of West Point. 

Ira Thrasher, of Anniston, is here 
visiting his uncle, H. A. Swinford. 

P. W. Pew has moved to the home- 
stead of Miss Bulah Thomas, of Rome. 



(Jan. 27, 1921) 

Ed Swinford and Jesse Cantrell, of 
West Rome, had dinner with James 
A. Cantrell and family. 

Mrs. Georgia Hart is still unimprov- 
ed, confined in bed. 

H. A. Swinford has gone to Annis- 
ton to secure work. 

The Bush Arbor singing society met 
in their regular monthly singing Sun- 
day afternoon. 



(Feb. 2, 1921) 
H. A. Swinford has returned from 
Anniston, where he went to secure 
work. He reports a very dull place 
there. 

J. A. Elrod has moved from Mr. J. 
T. Bryant's farm to Mr. Wm. Par- 
ker's farm. 

Mesdames G. A. Cantrell and Stella 
Blackwelder visited Mrs. Kate Swin- 
ford and family last week. 

Will Knight was in Rome last week 
on business. 

Mrs. Gladys Phillips and children, 
of Anniston, while here on an extend- 
ed visit to her mother, Mrs. H. A. 
Swinford, spent Friday night with her 
aunt, Mrs. G. A. Cantrell. 

(Feb. 15, 1921) 

Mrs. Mattie Sharp is reported very 
feeble at present. 

P. W. Pew intends to move to J. B. 
Williams' farm at Livingston. 

The high water has stopped all traf- 
fic on the road here. Also U. S. mail 
and school children. 

Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Swinford had 
dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Jas. A. Can- 
trell Friday. 



JAS. B. NEVIN, one of Rome's most brilliant 
sons, snapped at his desk as editor of The 
Atlanta Georgian and American. 



(Apr. 5, 1821) 

John Warnack, of Lindale, was here 
last week looking after the finny 
tribe. 

Several of the music people attend- 
ed the singing at Livingston Sunday 
afternoon. 




*^^ 



#»-sf 






hJ 




542 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




THE OLD ROME FEMALE COLLEGE. 

The Eighth Avenue institution was established about 1850 by Col. Simpson Fouche, who 
was soon succeeded by Rev. and Mrs. J. M. M. Caldwell. Here the first Mrs. Woodrow Wil- 
son was taught, with numerous young women of the South. The building was later used 
as the Holmes sanitarium, and eventually burned down. It was located where the A. S. 
Burney home now stands. 



(May 12, 1921) 

Mrs. Lois Hill has gone to Anniston, 
Ala., for a position. 

There was a large number of people 
at Bush Arbor last Friday who cleaned 
up the cemetery in good order. 

Jesse Cantrell, of Rome, spent Sun- 
day night with his parents, Mr. and 
Mrs. Jas. A. Cantrell. 

The farmers are having to plant their 
cotton over. The cold weather was the 
cause for the poor stand of the first 
planting. 

(July 7, 1921) 

Dr. H. A. Turner, of Rome, was in 
our midst last week. 

A storm passed through here last 
Saturday afternoon. It blew the roof 
off of Will Knight's barn. 

Mr. and Mrs. Will Knight and chil- 
dren spent the week-end with the lat- 
ter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Can- 
trell. 

Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Cantrell, of near 
Canton, Ga.. are visiting his parents, 
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Cantrell. 

Last week was the hottest weather 
this summer. The thermometer was at 
100 degrees three days in the shade. 

Gus Glozier, with a fishing party from 



Lindale, are on a fishing spree here. 

Jesse Cantrell and brothers, Earl, 
Raymond, Dewey and Willie, were in 
Rome the Fourth to see the fun. 

Jas. A. Cantrell and family had as 
their guests for dinner Sunday Will 
Knight and family and Mr. and Mrs. 
Dewey Cantrell. After dinner the 
party received a nice ice cream repast 
and then motored to the lock and dam 
for pleasure. 



Will Knight and Dewey Cantrell were 
in Rome last week on legal business. 

During the rain storm one day last 
week the lightning set fire to some 
fodder in W. J. Carter's barn, but he 
was quick enough to put it out. 

Kieffer Lindsey and his staff of Rome 
were here making some surveys on the 
public road last week. 

The county chaingang is going to 
take camp here — near the Foster Acad- 
emy school house. 

H. A. Swinford, of Anniston, is here 
visiting his family. 

Rev. S. H. Pendley, of Cave Spring, 
preached at Bush Arbor last Satur- 
day. 

Rev. J. E. Smith and son, Cheney, of 
Silver Creek, had dinner last Saturday 
with J. W. Keith. 



Life In the Districts 



543 



Arthur Hunt, of Summerville, wor- 
shipped at Bush Arbor Sunday. 

Rev, S. H. Pendley and C. L. Casey, 
of Cave Spring, had dinner with Mr. 
and Mrs. Jas. A. Cantrell Saturday. 
They are students of the Hearn Acad- 
emy. 

(Sept, 7, 1921) 

The mad dogs are causing a great 
excitement around here. They have 
bit Mrs. C. McDaniel, also a little boy 
at Buck Lemming's. One dog was 
killed Sunday. 

Messrs. J. T. Spann and B. M. Barna 
attended the dedication of the new 
house of worship at Pleasant Hope 
Baptist Church. 

W. J. Carter's little child was bit- 
ten by a snake Sunday morning. 



Central Grove. 

(Jan. 27, 1921) 

One of the things which we have 
been hoping for has come to pass. 
There is a new bridge across Cooper 
creek where the ford was. The fill is 
high enough that travel need not be 
stopped during a flood. 

Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Moon and son, 
Robert, have returned from a visit 



with Mr. Moon's two brothers near 
Tampa, Fla. They report vegetables 
and fruit flourishing, and beautiful, 
sunny weather, but prefer to live in 
Floyd County, Georgia. 

Horace King has moved his family 
into one of the houses on the Butler 
farm. 

C. Reese and family are living on 
the farm formerly owned by J. L. Ped- 
dycourt. 

Mr. Hubbard, from Rome, is occupy- 
ing the McGinnis place on Central 
Grove road. 

Miss Grace Anderson, home demon- 
stration agent, spent Thursday after- 
noon and night with the W. A, Little- 
john family. 

Dr. Chimene, county health officer, 
visited Central Grove school Monday 
and examined the pupils. 



(Feb. 3, 1921) 
H. O. Littlejohn has become posses- 
sor of a young mule. 

(Apr, 27, 1921) 

All last week the pupils at Central 
Grove school spent their spare time 
making a flower garden back of the 
school house. Jack Beard plowed the 




THE OLD ROBT, BATTEY HOME ON FIRST AVENUE. 



544 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




"THORNWOOD," OLD HOME OF COL. ALFRED SHORTER. 



land, which was then laid off in beds, 
each of which was in charge of a 
group of children. There was consid- 
erable competition among the groups 
arranging the plants to make the pret- 
tiest bed, for which a prize is offered. 
Plans were laid to keep up the work 
John, chairman of the Woman's Branch 
of the Farm Bureau, and Mrs. H. O. 
Littlejohn, chairman of the Beauti- 
fication Committee, are supervising the 
work. 

Friday was the last day of the 
school term at Central Grove. Al- 
though the day was rainy, the pupils 
had a good time. There was a contest 
in running and jumping, in charge of 
O. L. Titrud. After lunch the children 
played games and had a general good 
time before parting for the long vaca- 
tion. 

Those who attended school regularly 
during the term made good progress 
and the patrons are all pleased with 
the good work of the teacher. Miss 
Kate Morrison. 



Hattie Price, Clara Hogan, Helen 
Camp, Bessie Lee Hopkins, Felton 
Beard, Clyde Titrud and Lon Thomp- 
son were the winners in the races. 

Mr. Fulcher was in the path of the 
tornado last week and had his buggy 
and harness badly damaged. 

Mrs. H. O. Littlejohn and Mrs. O. L. 
Titrud visited the Berry School for 
Girls Wednesday. 

The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Cliff Hughes has been quite ill. 



Mrs. Rip Payne and children have 
been visiting their relatives, the 
Hughes, this past week. 

Mrs. W. A. Littlejohn and Madge 
made a week-end visit with the for- 
mer's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Beard, at 
Silver Creek. Mr. Littlejohn and Lois 
visited there Sunday and brought them 
home. 

Elbert Beard is working at Pine- 
haven this summer. He has joined the 
Corn Club, and Clyde Titrud has joined 
the Calf Club. 

Charlie Thompson and Milton Brown 
are working at Gore. 

Sam McClung is working at the stone 
quarry in Rome. 



(Jan. 18, 1921) 

F. C. Moon and family are enjoying 
a visit with Mr. Moon's two brothers, 
who live near Tampa, Fla. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Harris and niece, 
May Bell, are living at the Moon resi- 
dence during their absence. 

C. L Butler has bought the farm he 
once owned from Mr. Crumley, and ex- 
pects to move back some time during 
the year. 

Charlie Thompson has moved his 
family into Mr. Butler's house for the 
winter. 

Charlie Fowler and family have 
rented from Ed. Beard and are now liv- 
ing in this settlement again. 

Bill Hogan has moved his familv to 
a house on the Beard place. 



Life In the Districts 



545 



Floyd Springs. 

(Feb. 13, 1921) 

Miss Edna Holsonback is on the sick 
list with the chicken pox. 

The school at this place is progress- 
ing fine under Misses Barton and Cleo 
Whisenant. 

Miss Amie Jackson is on the sick list 
at this writing. 

(Mar. 30, 1921) 

All farmers are busy plowing and 
planting corn. Gardens are looking 
fine. Everybody will soon have some- 
thing to eat at home. 

Miss Cora Whistnant was Miss Lil- 
lie Boatfield's guest Sunday. 

Miss Lillie Boatfield, Mrs. Gussie 
Boatfield and Mrs. Cora Whisenant 
motored to Rome Sunday afternoon. 



Wayside. 

(Jan. 27, 1921) 

The box supper at Wayside school 
house has been postponed until Feb- 
ruary 12. Every one is cordially in- 
vited. 

Misses Autha Hopkins and Agnes 
Barnes were pleasant guests of Misses 
Grace and Ozella Byars Sunday. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Rogers spent 
the week-end with Mr. and Mrs. Sam 
Bing. 



(Feb. 18, 1921) 

Aunt Betsy Carnes, of Barnsley, is 
seriously ill at this writing. 

The many friends of Mrs. Mittie 
Taylor will rejoice to know that her 
bone-felon is improving nicely. 

J. V. Kerce got hurt hauling cross- 
ties last week. 

E. N. Moat is on the sick list. 

Mrs. Jim Bing was the pleasant guest 
of Mrs. Bill Reeves Sunday. 



(May 12, 1921) 

We appreciate these beautiful warm 
days after so much Jack Frost and cold 
north wind. It makes us think we are 
soon to say "good-bye lettuce and 
turnip greens and welcome tomatoes 
and snap beans." 



Mr. and Mrs. Hamp McClain an- 
nounce the birth of a son born last 
Friday. The baby has been named 
William Thomas. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hice visited rela- 
tives at this place last Sunday. 

Several of our young people attend- 
ed service at Barnsley Chapel last Sun- 
day. 

We rejoice that the whooping cough 
epidemic in this section has about sub- 
sided. Its excuse for doing so is that 
it has served them all. 

Early. 

(Apr. 5, 1921) 

Mrs. J. I. Early and Sybil motored to 
Rome Tuesday. 

Mrs. Lois Hall is the proud mother 
of a fine bouncing baby boy. 

C. A. Hall was in Rome Thursday on 
business. 




THE(5irNTFlY 
PrflLOSOPHQl 

MAJ. CHAS. H. SMITH appeared under the 
above caption for many years as a contribu- 
tor to The Atlanta Constitution. 



546 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Mrs. C. A, J, Ware was the guest 
of her daughter, Mrs. Nannie Hall, last 
week. 

G. B. Good and J. I. Early made a 
flying trip to Rome Friday afternoon. 

Miss Beth Bridges has accepted a 
position with the Georgia School for 
the Deaf. 

Dr. Garner was in town Wednesday 
on business. 

Van Hall was the guest of his father, 
Lon Hall, last week. 

Utopia. 

(May 16, 1921) 
The farmers are very busy getting 



their crops planted this pretty 
weather. 

R. E. Holsonback motored to Rome 
Saturday morning on business. 

The many friends of Miss Mattie 
Barnett are sorry to hear of her se- 
rious illness. 



(Sept. 9, 1921) 

A large crowd attended the singing 
at this place Sunday afternoon. 

Rev. Green spent the day with Mar- 
vin Owens, Sunday. 

Azmon Mills was the guest of Arte- 
mus Barton Saturday night. 




FIVE ROMANS OF THE EARLY DAYS. 

Top, left to light, DeWitt Clinton Hargrove, who was killed at the First Battle of Manas- 
sas as a member of the Rome Light Guards; Henry W. Dean, father of Linton A., H. A. 
and J. Ed. Dean; Dr. George M. Battey, pharmacist and physician; Zachariah B. Hargrove, 
Jr., mayor of Rome in 1869; Wm. Hemphill Jones, son of Walton H. Jones and husband of 
Mrs. Flora McAfee Jones. 





CL^ 



Kai^ 



548 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR AND HIS SECRETARY. 

Alexander H. Stephens (at bottom) visited Rome in the fall of 1860 and was introduced 
the next day at a Floyd Springs barbecue speaking by Judge Augustus R. Wright. At another 
time he was the guest of C. G. Samuel at 101 Second Avenue. His private secretary during 
the Civil War was Col. Wm. H. Hidell (at top), lawyer, who bought The Courier from Capt. 
Dwinell. Frank W. Copeland now owns the Hidell home in North Rome. 



Miss Edna Holsonback was Miss Ag- 
nes Davis' guest Sunday. 

The ice cream party given by Misses 
Marie and Janie Barton Saturday was 
highly enjoyed by a large crowd. 

Everett Springs. 

(Mar. 14. 1921) 
Prof. T. E. Perry, principal of the 
school, is justly proud of the record 
made so far this year. Seventy-five 
pupils are enrolled and the attendance 
has been excellent. 

Prof. Perry's hobby is mathematics, 
and the pupils in the higher grades 
have made great progress in this 
study. 

Mrs. Ina White, of John's Creek 
Valley, is entitled to rank with farm 
supervisors, if results count. Her gar- 



den is acknowledged to be the finest 
in the vicinity. English peas, beets, 
onions and lettuce are far above the 
ground and long rows of perfect cab- 
bage are beginning to head. 

The younger set had a candy pulling 
at the home of Marcus Burns. 

Miss Gilla Landrum is in charge of 
the school and her pupils are devoted 
to her. She is always alert and enthu- 
siastic. Her department is particularly 
elated because through their efforts a 
very fine portrait of President Wilson 
has been secured for the school and 
they are expecting its arrival daily. 

Dr. Chas. McArthur is making an 
enviable reputation in surgery. He 
performed a major operation on Mrs. 
Geo. Deason last Monday. Dr. Russell, 
of Rome, assisted, and Mrs. McAr- 
thur, who is a graduate nurse, admin- 
istered the anesthetic. 



Life In the Districts 



549 



There are over 150 bales of cotton 
in the valley. The farmers are hold- 
ing it, hoping for a better price. 

DeWitt Dew^ will leave this w^eek 
for Bristol, Tenn. He will travel for 
the Barrow-Scott Milling Co., selling 
Supreme Loaf Flour. 

Oscar Patterson, of this valley, 
ranked second in a class of 34 who 
stood examinations at the Rome Post- 
office for carrier and clerical posi- 
tions. 

Probably this item belongs in your 
exchange column: Mr. Tump Holson- 
back wishes to swap eight drakes for 
laying ducks. 

Mrs. John Pettitt continues critical- 
ly ill at her home in the Pocket. 

Miss Josie Touchstone, from the 
Bend of the River, is visiting her sis- 
ter, Mrs. Price Christian. 



(Mar. 27, 1921) 

Easter week — beginning the spirit- 
ual New Year. 

Aside from the Sunday School, con- 
ducted by a few faithful members of 
the congregation, there have been no 
regular services in the Baptist Church 
since last October. 

The pastor, Rev. Hightower, broke 



his leg and it was impossible to se- 
cure a substitute for him, or it. 



(May 31, 1921) 

In a straw ballot taken at Whit- 
mire's Store, Saturday night, among 
registered voters, the result was 16 to 
1 in favor of the issue of road bonds in 
Floyd County. 

Farmer Lincolnfeldt went to Calhoun 
last week and sold a load of produce, 
and while on the way home after night 
he was held up in Rocky Creek Valley, 
tied and gagged and robbed of his cash 
— $38.50. He believes he knows who 
got his money. 

J. C. Everett has the largest onions 
in the valley, and J. Mitt White the 
finest field of growing watermelon 
vines. 

Christian Bros, are to reopen their 
grocery store at Everett Springs about 
June 1, having compromised with their 
creditors. 

Everett Springs has another grocery 
store, opened by J. A. Lynch, who was 
in business here years ago. 

Judge John W. Maddox has been in- 
vited to come here at 4 p. m., Saturday, 
June 4, to address the natives on the 
road bond question. All of the voters 




IT MAY NOT BE "HANTED," BUT LOOKS THE PART. 

The abandoned Lewis D. Burwell house near the Seventh Avenue cemetery is a 
finely built place, but ghost stories connected with it make superstitious neighbors 
stay away at dark. Judge Burwell was hung up in 1864 by Colquitt's Scouts, who 
got his money, but he was not on this placa at the time. The site has been sug- 
gested for a city school and park connecting with other city property — Ft. Jackson 
and the Seventh Avenue cemetery. The owner is an old Roman, John Montgomery. 



550 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



have agreed to take a half-holiday to 
hear him. 



Two weeks ago a record assembly 
welcomed Dr. Hodges, of Rome, and 
this Sunday practically the entire Val- 
ley came to greet Rev. Culpepper. He 
had ministered to this congregation 
years ago and is held in sincerest love 
and respect. 

Now come glad tidings indeed — Mr. 
Hightower is well and will preach our 
Easter sermon. The people are de- 
lighted and are planning for serious 
church work in future. 

The Methodist Church has been do- 
ing double duty during this period 
and a feeling of neighborly (Chris- 
tian) good fellowship has resulted from 
a seeming affliction. 

Despite the hard times, we of Ever- 
ett Springs have much to be grateful 
for in running up our blessings. 

The farmers and their families are 
intensely interested in the Curb Mar- 
ket, and much earnest thought and dis- 
cussion are devoted to the project. But, 
on all sides objections are made to the 
plans of holding it indoors or on Broad 
street. There must be ample space for 




A BATTLE TRENCH, thrown up by "Reb- 
els" or "Yanks" between Fort Jackson (wa- 
terworks) and the old Seventh avenue cem- 
etery. 



wagons to line up and for crowds to 
move freely among them. Just a hint to 
prove we are studying the field. 

The school children are enjoying an 
egg hunt. Instead of daring Death by 
the consumption of untold quantities of 
hard-boiled eggs, the children have 
brought dozens of laid-fresh-today eggs 
that will be hidden in every conceivable 
nook and cranny of the big school 
yard. Then the hunt, and when un- 
covered again the children will form 
in line and march to the stores, where 
the eggs will be exchanged for candy, 
cakes, soda pop and chewing gum. 

There is a new baby in the home of 
Mr. Hughes, a boy. 

A big crowd enjoyed a sacred musi- 
cal at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Levi 
Hidler Sunday night. 

Sidney Drew was here this week. 
His home is in St. Louis, Mo., but he 
comes every few weeks to inspect his 
large plantation. He is enthusiastic- 
ally welcomed, for his own sake prin- 
cipally, and then because his pay roll 
is large and real money accompanies 
him. 

Cedartown. 

(Mar. 27. 1921) 
Mrs. R. O. Pitts, Jr., and young son. 
Robt. Ill, have returned from a visit 
in Rome. 

Mrs. W. O. Robinson, who has been 
visiting Mr. and Mrs. F. D. Noble, re- 
turned to her home in Anniston last 
Friday. 

Mrs. Carl Pickett entertained infor- 
mally at a delightful luncheon on Fri- 
day. Covers were marked for Mrs. C. 
C. Bunn, Mrs. T. B. Munroe, Mrs. H. 
H. Hogg, Mrs. R. O. Pitts, Jr., Mrs. R. 
A. Adams. 

Capt. J. A. Peek is the guest of his 
daughter, Mrs. C. R. Brown, in Atco. 

Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Richardson, of 
Atlanta, were the week-end guests of 
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Adamson. 

Guy Ritchie, of Commerce, was here 
over Sunday. 

Chas. Adamson, Jr., and Liddell Tur- 
ner spent Wednesday in Rome. 

Miss Frances Wood was home from 
Shorter College the first of the week. 

The Kiwanis Club enjoyed their 
weekly luncheon held Friday at the 
Wayside Inn. Senator W. J. Harris, 
an honorary member, and Prof. J. C. 
Harris, of Cave Spring, made inter- 
esting talks. 



Life In the Districts 



551 



The members of the Cedartown Club 
are looking forward to the Fancy 
Dress Ball to be given on April 1. Prizes 
will be given for the best costumes. 
The judges have not been announced as 
yet. 

Hon. L. S. Ledbetter has bought the 
Beasley place on College street and 
will begin remodeling it at an early 
date. 



(Apr. 3, 1921) 

Congressman Gordon Lee was here 
Friday morning en route to Newnan. 

Miss Laura Belle Brewster, of Shor- 
ter College, is spending the week-end 
with relatives here. 

Miss Rea King, of Atlanta, is the 
guest of her sister, Mrs. J. C. Porter. 

Mr. and Mrs. F. D. Noble spent 
Thursday in Rome as the guests of Mr. 
and Mrs. Roy Berry. 

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Watkins are 
remodeling their home on College 
street. 



Miss Christine Smith, of England, 
who has been visiting her cousins. Dr. 
and Mrs. William Parker, left Satur- 
day for a visit to Mrs. W. H. Hall, in 
Yalaba, Fla. 

The Fancy Dress Ball given at the 
Cedartown Club rooms Friday evening 
was one of the most enjoyable of the 
season. A number of pretty costumes 
were worn and many visitors from 
Rome, Cartersville and Atlanta added 
to the gaiety of the occasion. 

Mrs. Edgar Stubbs, of Atlanta, and 
Mrs. Hal Bowie, of Rome, are expected 
to arrive Tuesday and be the guests 
of Mrs. A. W. Stubbs. 

Mrs. C. C. Bunn returned Friday 
after a few days' visit to her mother, 
Mrs. Annie F. Johnson, in Rome. 

Mrs. H. H. Hogg, Mrs. John Black- 
well, Mrs. R. O. Pitts, Jr., returned 
the last of the week after a short visit 
to relatives in Rome. 

Mrs. O. D. Bartlett returned to 
Rome last Sunday after a visit to her 
parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Fielder. 




msmi 



NOW SERVING GEORGIA IN CONGRESS. 

Gordon Lee (left) represents the Seventh District in the House and Wm. J. Harris is 
Georgia's senior in the Senate. Mr. Lee is not a native Roman but he is a brother of Mrs. 
Charlie Hieht and has been such a frequent sojourner that his 'adoption is complete. Mr. 
Harris if a brother of Prof. J. C. Harris, and is a Roman by virtue of the fact that as a boy 
he clerked several months at a grocery stone on Second Avenue. He went away and finally 
landed at the peak in Washington. 



552 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



W. K. Fielder spent Tuesday in An- 
niston. 

J. W. Houseal, of Lindale, spent Sun- 
day here. 



Summerville. 

(May 2, 1921) 

Miss Essie Martin spent the week- 
end with relatives in Broomtown Val- 
ley. 

Miss Eleanor Wilson, of Cedar Bluff, 
Ala., is visiting her sister. Miss Fran- 
ces Wilson, who is critically ill. 

Misses Mattie Green and Margaret 
Myers, who are teaching in the Lindale 
school, spent the week-end with their 
parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Myers. 

Miss Mary Cordle spent Sunday with 
Mrs. Bob McWhorter at Menlo. 

Burrell Simmons spent Sunday in 
Trion with his sister. Miss Ethel Sim- 
mons. 

Mr. and Mrs. C. Cleghorn and chil- 
dren spent Thursday in Rome. 



Coosa. 

(Jan. 27, 1921) 

Jake Hooker and Billie Spinks, of 
Atlanta, spent the week-end with Mr. 
and Mrs. Kinnie Vann. 





MRS. NAOMI PRISCILLA BALE, Rome's 
beloved "Grandma Georgy," whose pen has 
made Romans venerate their town. 



PALEMON J. KING, an old-fashioned school 
teacher who believed that spare rods meant 
spoiled children, and acted accordingly. 



W. M, McCurry was visiting friends 
at Dalton Sunday. 

William Wimbish and Martin 
D'Arcy, of Rome, were at Coosa Sat- 
urday on a hunting trip. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Vann and chil- 
dren, of Bush Creek, were the guests 
Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. H. 0. Wea- 
ver. 

Arthur Lloyd is attending court in 
Rome this week. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lumpkin are ex- 
pected home from New Orleans Thurs- 
day, and will be with Cicero Evans for 
several days before going to their 
home in Virginia. 

Mt. Alto. 

(Apr. 20, 1921) 

The little child of Mr. and Mrs. Dock 
Alexander was badly burned Friday 
afternoon. 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnie Salmon were 
the guests of Ed. Salmon and family 
at Armuchee, Sunday. 

Miss Minnie Watson was the guest of 
Mrs. Ruth Salmon Thursday afternoon. 

Grady Holland was in Rome Mon- 
day on business. 



Life In the Districts 



553 




A HOME ONCE VANN'S VALLEY'S PRIDE. 

Cave Spring road residence built about 1840 by Gen. Jas. Hemphill, state senator and 
militia officer who helped remove the Indians. Gen. Hemphill sold it to Wm. Montgomery 
and moved to Mississippi in 1846. Note the unique entrance, entirely open, and the winding 
hardwood stairway; this arrangement has been changed. Ten large and beautiful cedars grace 
the front yard. 



Misses Maud, Cora and Effie Holla- 
way were the pleasant guests of Miss 
Nola Alexander Sunday afternoon. 

Wesley Dillard was at the home of 
B. F. Watson's, Sunday. 

Lindale. 

(Tribune-Herald, Dec. 25, 1920) 

There will be no issue of The Trib- 
une-Herald tomorrow, therefore no pa- 
per can be delivered in Lindale. 

Mrs. C. E. League left yesterday for 
a visit to her mother at Trion. She will 
be gone a week. 

Mrs. C. Irby, of Kingston, after a 
brief visit to her daughter, Mrs. C. 
L. Bradley, returned home yesterday. 

Mr. and Mrs. Seab Bryant and chil- 
dren, of Columbus. Ga., and Clifford 
Bryant, of Gordon, Ga., are guests 
of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. 
Bryant. 

Mr. T. Mungall and daughter. Miss 
Martha Mungall, of Pell City, Ala., are 
guests of his son, A. W. Mungall, for 
the holidays. 



Mrs. J. H. Anderson was removed 
from her home at 117 Park avenue 
yesterday to the Frances Berrien Hos- 
pital for treatment. 

T. N. Holsomback, of Wyatt, La., 
was a recent guest of T. P. Fitzpat- 
rick. 

Mrs. H. S. Clinton is seriously ill 
at her home in Boozeville. 

Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Hayes, of Trion, 
are the guests of his mother, Mrs. G. 
S. Hayes, during the holidays. 

Foster's Mill. 

(May 12, 1921) 

The people of this place are busy 
farming. 

There will be an all-day singing at 
Cedar Creek Baptist Church the sec- 
ond Sunday in June. Everybody is 
invited to come and bring well-filled 
baskets and spend the day. 

Mrs. Berta McGhee spent last week 
with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. 
Vann, of near Cave Springs. 



554 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A GEM IN NATURE'S FIRMAMENT. 

Cave Spring is admitted by poets, writers and admirers everywhere to be one of the 
most beautiful spots in the United States. The views carry us to Woodstock Lake and the 
Episcopal church, with both of which Dr. and Mrs. Theodosius Bartow and their son. Col. 
Francis S. Bartow, were connected; the Alexander Thornton Harper home; the ancient Baptist 
church, and the marvelous cave, from which gush nearly 3,500,000 gallons of crystal pure.» 
water daily. 



Mr. and Mrs. Sam Steed took dinner 
with Mr. and Mrs. Dan House Sun- 
day. 

Rockmart. 

(Mar. 22, 1921. 

The farmers of this place are very 
busy turning their land for another 
crop. 

Miss Marion Smith spent Thursday 
afternoon with Miss Mary Morgan. 

Miss Mattie Lou Gann has been on 
the sick list but is better now. 



Miss Jennie Bee Carter and Sam 
Finch are married. 

Miss Zelma Allgood has returned to 
her home in Rockmart after spending 
a few days in Atlanta. 

Miss Marie Carpenter is on the sick 
list now. 



Armuchee. 

(Tribune-Herald, Apr. 13, 1921) 
Miss Annie Louise Rush was a 
charming hostess Wednesday evening 
when she entertained about forty of 



Life In the Districts 



555 




ONE OF ROME'S EARLY MAYORS AND HIS WIFE. 

Nathan Yarbrough was mayor of Rome in 1852; some say he was the first mayor. At 
any rate, he wasn't satisfied, so after the war he was made sheriff. He was a short, red- 
headed man, and a terror to lawbreakers. He moved to Texas and eventually died there. His 
wife is shown by his side. 



her friends in honor of her sixteenth 
birthday anniversary at the home of her 
sister, Mrs. Barnett Rice. Honeysuck- 
les and roses were used in an artistic 
effect as decorations. Music and games 
were the diversions of the evening and 
at a late hour an ice course was served. 
The many beautiful presents received 
denoted the popularity of the young 
hostess. 

Rev. Mr. Stuart will preach at the 
Methodist Church Sunday morning at 
11 o'clock and his subject is "Mother, 
Home and Heaven." Special music will 
be an enjoyable feature also. The mem- 
bers of both the Baptist churches as 
well as the Methodist are most cordially 
invited. 

Mrs. Jabe Hendricks is the guest for 
a fortnight of her sister, Mrs. Seab 
Evans. 

Mrs. W. G. Scoggin and Mrs. John 
W. Salmon were guests of Mrs. Seab 
Terry Saturday. 

Mrs. George Shouse and sons. Willie 
and Tom, were guests of relatives near 
Trion Sunday. 

Cave Spring. 

(Tribune-Herald, Apr. 28, 1921) 

The passing of the old Carroll home- 
stead, which was completely destroyed 



by fire a few days ago, removes an- 
other link in the chain which bound the 
Cave Spring of the present to that 
other Cave Spring of ante-bellum days. 
In the olden days this splendid south- 
ern home was a noted center of social 
life and gaiety, sheltering dozens of 
guests in its large high ceiling rooms, 
with that hospitality known so well to 
the Old South. 

During the past few years, since 
Mrs. John Hill, nee Miss Ann Carroll, 
took up her permanent residence in 
Atlanta, the place has had other occu- 
pants, but it was still owned by the 
family until last year, when it was pur- 
chased by Hearn Academy. At the 
time of the fire it was occupied by Rev. 
Mr. Harris and the family of a student 
minister. 

The many friends of Harold Wil- 
liams will be very sorry to learn that 
he has not been improving satisfac- 
torily during the past few days. Mr. 
Williams has been critically ill with 
pneumonia. 

The teachers of the Georgia School 
for the Deaf enjoyed a little outing at 
Woodstock Lake Tuesday afternoon. 

Mrs. James Perry entertained a few 
friends at a bridge party Wednesday 
afternoon at her beautiful home, "Sun- 
shine." 



556 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




WHY CAVE SPRINGERS LOVE THEIR TOWN. 

lov^'^fr'^'r^^''^^^''""" ^^''' °^ Dartmouth: "It is a small college, but there are those who 
love itr Cave Spnng ,s also small. The picture at the top is "Sunshine," built bV Robt 
Swam Perry, of Germantown. Pa., a descendant of Commodore Oliver H. Perry Bii Cedai- 
also presented """^ "^' ""'' ^"" '^""^' «■— '^^'^'e 11-year-old Babylonia^' wilfow Ire 



Poetry 



THE VALES OF ROME. 
By Frank L. Stanton. 

No cold and crumbling arches — 

The frolic of the Fates; 
No senatorial marches 

Through the lion-guarded gates; 
No Caesar's glittering legions, 

Whose eagles crown its dome, 
But Love, in Love's own regions, — 

The violet vales of Rome ! 

There rise the dark, blue mountains. 

Where clouds are fair and fleet; 
There leap the living fountains. 

There sing the rivers sweet! 
There morning breaks in showers 

Of light and silver foam. 
And from their airy towers 

Smile stormless stars on Rome ! 

And there gay birds are winging 

Their wild and wondi'ous flight; 
The splendid day dies singing 

A dream song to the night; 
And Love's sweet voices calling 

Love's weary wanderers home. 
In golden music falling 

'Thrill all the vales of Rome. 

That love which woos and wonders 

Far from the wreck and strife. 
Is echoed in the thunders 

And tempests of my life, 
And answers, "Love, I hear thee, 

O'er the seas of storm and foam; 
Thy lover's steps draw near thee, — 

Ring sweet, ye bells of Rome!" 



RETROSPECTIVE. 
By Montgomery M. Folsom. 

I watch the sunshine slowly ebb 

Along the shores of day. 
And winter weaves a silver web 

On the hillsides far away. 
Above my head there shines afar 

Heaven's softly beaming eyes. 
But Oh, my God, I miss the star 

That illumed my paradise! 

One summer morn when field and wood 

Were promiseful and green, 
Far off the blue Cohuttas stood, 

Oostanaula rolled between ; 
On this same spot I met my love 

And held her hand in mine, 
And all the earth and heaven above 

O'erf lowed with light divine! 

In whispered accents breathed low 
I pledged my solemn vow; 

And would to heaven that she might 
know 
How much I miss her now! 



I loved as few have loved with all 

Of heart's devotion free; 
She held my very soul in thrall, 

I knew that she loved me! 

What recks the dull routine of life 

If wrong may Christ forgive? 
The joy is not worth half the strife 

To simply breathe and live! 
Poor erring creature, this my prayer, 

To heaven my only plea, 
That in that blissful region there 

My love may be with me! 



"LOVE ME AND THE HAT IS 

THINE." 

By Frank L. Stanton. 

Each eve she meets me at the gate — 

Her brow has roses on it; 
And for one kiss she gives me eight. 
(That means an Easter bonnet!) 

Each dish that most delights my eyes 

The table has upon it; 
And "Dear, try this and this!" she 
cries. 

(That means an Easter bonnet!) 

My slippers always are in sight, 
My smoking cap, I don it; 

She strokes my hair; "You're tired to- 
night!" 
(That means an Easter bonnet!) 

Such kind attention! Never saw 
The like! Heaven's blessing on it; 

God praise both wife and mother-in- 
law! 
(I'll BUY that Easter bonnet!) 



UNDER THE SPELL OF SUMMER. 

By Montgomery M. Folsom, in The 

Rome Tribune, About 1895. 

Sweet solitude 

Of field and wood, 
Free from all worldly care and canker, 

On yon bright sky 

The light clouds lie 
Like fair dream freighted shipsi at 
anchor. 

And soon to sail 

With favoring gale 
To ports beyond the gates of even 

Where bloom the flowers 

And rise the towers 
Reflected in the sunset heaven. 

The south wind sighs 
Low lullabies. 
The day seems fill'd with love unspok'n, 
And pours its balm 



558 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




CATHOLIC PARSONAGE, ONCE HOME OF MONTGOMERY M. FOLSOM. 



Of summer calm 
In this sad heart so bruised and bro- 
ken ! 

Through arches green 
With summer sheen 
Their gay festoons the wild vines 
wreathing 

In every breeze 
That stirs the trees 
The still small voice of God is breath- 
ing! 

Oh, love, if thou 

Wert with me now 
To add thy presence to my vision, 

My wondering eyes 

Might realize 
The poet's fondly dreamed Elysian! 

Still incomplete 

This rare retreat 
Though all the arts of earth contended 

To add their grace 

Since in thy face 
All life and light and love are blended ! 



It seems to me that if you were here 
I could dream away the hours in sweet 
content, but, alas! you are elsewhere. 



RUSTICATING. 

I wish you could be out here with 
me for a day, dear. 

It is so sweet and pleasant to be 
away from the busy din of the city. 

The restful sighs of the summer 
wind among the trees and the show- 
ers of sunshine flood the weird trunks 
of the stately oaks. 

Then there are birds and bees and 
blossoms, and all complete to fill the 
world with summer dreams. 



There are four young mockingbirds 
here whom I have made friends with 
already. 

I have asked them many things and 
in their way they have told me and 
they are very cheerful and comfort- 
ing. 

Then out yonder where the orchard 
trees are fluttering their bannerets in 
the breezes, there is a royal singer. 

And when she is at her best she re- 
minds me of you. 



There are nooks and corners among 
the somber cedars and the waving 
altheas, crimson and purple with bloom, 
like the refined hues of an old maid's 
cheek, and I have counted half a dozen 
sorts of birds that join in the most 
delightful melodies at sundown time. 

You know I never see the sun set in 
glory upon the western hills but I 
think of you. 



I saw a brown thrush slipping along 
the Cherokee rose hedge today — the 
sly old poacher — and as I attempted 
to get a better view, a drab-colored 
cedar bird with shining eyes fluttered 
up from the path and accosted me pet- 
ulantly. 

But they will soon know me better 
and then they will permit me to pass 




^P^IU^^X^ 



o 



560 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



unheeded, knowing that I would not 
harm them for worlds. 



I have been sitting out on the green 
grass, all alone, watching the sun go 
down beyond the ranges of old Lav- 
ender. 

Oh, how gloriously beautiful is the 
prospect. The amethystine dyes of the 
bright blue heavens are blended with 
the purple hues of the distant peaks, 
and God's own sunshine enriches the 
landscape and the changeful clouds 
afloat in seas of splendor indescribable. 

I have been so weak and ill that I 
have almost lost heart. "Cerebro-Spi- 
nal," the doctors call it, but it comes 
nearer being heart break. 

Rest was never sweeter to me than 
it has been here. In the songs of the 
soothing winds it seems to me that I 
can hear the still, small voice of God 
bidding me look up and be brave and 
strong to endure. 



You have often chided me gently, 
dear, for being so weak and despond- 
ent, but you never realized how fierce 
was the battle that raged within me. 

For your sake I have accomplished 
many things, and the same holy inspi- 
ration shall bear my spirit up until I 
stand upon the shore of yon myste- 
rious river. 



Work is restful when it is not filled 
with anxiety and foreboding. 

It is the worry that kills. When you 
know that your strength is failing and 
your labor accumulating, then is when 
despondency and gloom overwhelm the 
soul. 

MY MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 

By Montgomery M. Folsom. 

(Republished by request of a Tribune 
reader.) 

Shines the green upon the willow 
And the sheen upon the billow 




HENRY W. GRADY AND THE SPIRIT OF PLAY. 

The late Joel Chandler Harris ("Uncle Remus") once went unannounced to Romef 
to see his friend Grady. He was directed by the office boy to thei circus, where 
he found Mr. Grady riding a "flying Jenny." The ride over, the young scribe 
rushed to Mr. Harris and embraced him fondly. 



Miscellaneous — Poetry 



561 



With the limning of the rainbow on the 
spray, 
Now amid life's dark afflictions 
Come the cheering benedictions 

Of thy spirit up in Heaven far away. 

Unrelenting gales have driven 
This frail bark from out the haven 
Where 'twas sheltered when the dark- 
ness fell that day, 
Yet among the shadows groping 
I am seeking thee and hoping 
For thy welcome up in Heaven far 
away. 

Nevermore shall feet unheeding 
Trample on the heart that's bleeding 
When the sunburst of that presence 
sheds its ray 
On the path that 1 have trodden, 
With salt views of sorrows sodden 
And I reach that restful Heaven fal 
away. 

Well thou kennest every weakness 
Of my heart, the dreary bleakness 
Of my life and anguish stricken as I 
pray. 
Every tear-bedimmed confession 
Through thy blessed intercession 
Reaches Him who reigns in Heaven far 
away. 



THE TWO GATES. 
By G. S. Kinurd. 

In the far away east is a beautiful 
gate; 

We call it the gate of the morn; 
It opens, and through it, in royal estate, 

Comes the king of the day just born. 

In the far away west is a beautiful 
gate; 
We call it the gate of the eve; 
It opens, and through it, 'mid shadows 
of fate. 
The king of the day takes his leave. 

Both gates, far away in the east and 
the west, 
Are closed by the goddess of night; 
Above them she hovers, with star- 
sprinkled breast, 
'Mid the stars with their twinkling 
light. 

And the starlets are saying, to comfort 
our hearts: 
"The king of the day still lives; 
From his course through the gates he 
never departs; 
We shine with the light that he 



gives 



I" 



As pilgrims, we pass on our way, like 
the sun; 
We enter the morn-gate alt birth, 



Go out by the eve-gate at death, and 
are done 
With the course of our life on the 
earth. 

But the gates are not closed by the god- 
dess of night 
That sits at the end of the way; 
They are shut by the hand of an angel 
of light, 
And he leads to the perfect day. 



ODE TO BIG SHANTY (Kennesaw.) 

By an anonymous writer, probably 
Chas. H. Smith, in The Rome Tri- 
Weekly Courier, Feb. 9, 1860. Writ- 
ten in memory of a half dollar in- 
vested — and lost. 

All hail to ye. Big Shanty, hail! 
Ye offspring of the big Black Cat! 
Ye eminent appintment of Spikey John, 
By and with the advice and consent of 

Joe, the Senate! 
How ye did kill up "Fletcher" 
And shake the dew drops off of 
Dr. Thompson's mane! 

How ye doth git a half dollar 
With an eagle on it, and give a pas- 
senger 
No chicken back! 

Oh, whar did ye hatch that little shanty 
What's nursed by Mr. Hilburn; 
And will the progeny be like its great 
ancestor? 

Whar did ye git that kind of tabel 

cloth 
What lasts so long without washin'? 
It may be water's scarce, and soap 
In yore free-stone country. 
Whar did ye buy yore ice 
To put around yore coffy pot 
And keep yore coffy cold? 

Oh, whar, tell me whar, has yore Kal- 

orie gone 
When I tuck supper with ye? 
Oh, hail. Big Shanty, hail agin! 
Could ye tell me whar ye buy sich 

strong kologne 
To odorize them darkies what hands 
Them sassengers unto the passengers! 

Did ye import your knives and forks 

from Greece ; 
What makes their handles greasy? 
And tell us whar ye got yore Yelefant 
What steps on pies and things (pizen 

things) 
And makes 'em so flat! 

Ye object of commiseration! 

Ye stationary beggar ! 

What great misfortune did befall 



562 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



That so many people daily does give 
Yer a half dollar out of charity? 

Maybe ye was shipwrecked 

Or maybe old Versuvious 

Run down its red hot gravy 

Upon yore little town! 

Or maybe ye was gored by the Pope's 

bull 
In Italy or some such like! 

Great Big Shanty, ye state institu- 

shoon 
Ye publik work, ye metropolitan hotel! 
Ye speculator upon appetite! In yer 

brief history 
Does ye ever remember to have fed the 

same man twice? 
If so, alas! for Paradise was never 

made for fools! 



OOSTANAULA, WHISPERING 
WATER. 
By Elinor Van Dozier Allen. 
Oosltanaula, whispering water. 
As upon your brink I stand. 
Comes the gentle murmur, murmur 

Of your lapping on the sand, 
Come the lisping, whispering voices, 
Where your ripples kiss the land, 

Oostanaula, whispering water, 
What is this you speak so low? 

Where the willows gently quiver, 
And the water lilies grow. 

Where the sun and shadows mingle 
As you softly, softly flow? 

Oostanaula, whispering water. 
Did you catch the morning breeze 

Where the throstle sings his love-song 
To his mate among the trees? 

Did you hear the droning work-song 
Of the honey-gathering bees? 

Up and down the hills and valleys, 
Where the waters dash and roar, 

Have you heard the mountain folk- 
songs 
Echo back, and yearn for more — 

Heart-songs of the lads and lassies, 
Home-songs loved in days of yore? 

Oostanaula, whispering water, 

In the years of long ago 
Did some Indian maiden linger 

Where the muscadine does grow; 
Did you hear her swarthy lover 

Calling to her soft and low? 

Oostanaula, whispering water, 
You have heard them every one. 

Heard the songs of love and gladness, 
Where your silver waters run; 

And you'll bear them on your bosom 
'Till your earthly course is done! 



OOSTANAULA.* 
By Lollie Belle Wylie. 

O, beautiful river. 
The moonbeams aquiver, 

Lie palpitant now on thy bosom so fair, 
And through the tall rushes, 
And dew-scented bushes 

Dim mist-shapes arise like wraiths on 
the air. 

O, silver, still river. 
Flowing onward forever, 
Breathing heavenly harmonies out on 
the night. 

Each musical number 
Awakes my soul-slumber, 
To quick revelation of Heaven and 
Light. 

0, mystical river. 
When soul-life shall sever. 
From flesh of the Adam-Dream, seraphs 
divine. 

From sphere far-celestial. 
May come sphere terrestrial 
Just to resolve my glad spirit with 
thine! 



THE HUCKLEBERRY PICNIC. 

(An old Virginia animal song, as played 
on the guitar and sung by E. L. 
Wright, headmaster of Darlington 
School, to the delight of many young 
Romans.) 
I looked down the river 'bout the crack 

of day, 
I heard a big commotion 'bout a mile 

away; 
The critters from the fields and the 

forests had come. 
All had collected for to have a little 

fun; 
'Twas the badger and the bear, the fox 

and the hare, 
The otter and the coon, the mink and 

baboon. 
The 'possum and the kangaroo, the 

wolf and weasel, too; 
The monkey and the owl were a-settin' 

up a howl! 

Chorus : 

"Come jine the huckleberry picnic, 
'Tis gwine to take place today; 

I'm on the committee for to 'vite you all, 
But I ain't got long to stay!" 

'Long about noon the table was set, — 
They brought out to eat everything 

they could get; 
The badger and the bear took hash 

Francaise, 

*Whispering Water. 




BiiM^jo^i 



564 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 





J^S^^^^f"' 



THE STEAMER "CHEROKEE" "MAKING KNOTS." 

This picture was taken as the First Methodist Church Sunday School members 
were on their annual picnic down the Coosa in June, 1921. Behind the speedy* 
"Cherokee" sputtered the Boy Scout Motor Boat, which gave the "big wagon" a hot 
race coming back to Rome, and kicked some salty spray on her noble bow. 



The fox and the hare took consomme; 

The otter and the coon took simmons 
a-la-frost, 

The mink and baboon took fish cream 
sauce. 

The mule had a fit and the ground- 
hog died, 

And all were chuck full when the 
hyena cried : 

Chorus 

Buffalo and hogs hollered "Right hand 

across !" 
Jenny and Jack hollered "Left hand 

back!" 
It looked sorter strange in the ladies' 

change 
To see the- nanny goat swapping places 

with the shoat; 
They tried to "grand change" over and 

again, 
But a little cur pup kep' a-mixin' 'em 

up, 
'Bout to be a fight in the "ladies to the 

right," 
When the cats began to bawl, "Prome- 
nade all!" 

Chorus 

'Long about night the varmints took 

sick. 
Sent for the old snake doctor mighty 

quick. 



Like the railroad cars his wings did 

hum; 
The varmints all hollered, "Yon he 

come!" 
Started for to open the head of the 

boss, 
When the varmints all hollered, "Hold 

on, Boss! 
It ain't no use to do like dat, 
Dat ain't de place whar de misery's at!" 

Chorus 

Tied the tail of the monkey with a rope, 

Looked down his throat with a micro- 
scope; 

You just ought to seen that monkey's 
tail — 

'Clare 'fore goodness it turned right 
pale! 

Rubbed it and he rubbed it, but 'twant 
no use. 

So he greased it all over with pokeberry 
juice. 

When that ugly monkey up and died, 

He turned right over and softly 
sighed: 

Chorus 

Animals went down the river for to 

bathe, 
Just couldn't make the baboon behave ; 
When it came time to look for a towel, 
They had to wipe off on the little 

screech owl. 



Miscellaneous — Poetry 



565 




SAM P. JONES AND HIS ROME SANCTUARIES. 

The great evangelist came to Rome about 1875 from the Van Wert (Polk County) cir- 
cuit, and spent two stormy years, in which he had Trinity Methodist church (at the bot- 
tom, then known as the Second) and two churches in the country. He built the original 
church, part of which is now a residence next to the Second Christian on W. Fifth Avenue. 
The other house, at 733 Avenue A, was his home. 



The screech owl screeched and the bull- 
frog hopped, 

The tadpole wiggled and the terrapin 
flopped, 

The monkey he then run out and hid, 

The elephant spied him and said, "O, 
you kid!" 



THE SWEETNESS OF SORROW. 

By Col. B. F. Sawyer. 

(From The Rome Georgian, May 28, 

1898.) 

Cheer up, cheer up, thou fainting heart, 

Put off thy sad repining; 
The darkest cloud that ever lowered 

Must have its silver lining! 

And every bitter has its sweet,— 
The bitterest the sweetest, — 

For deepest sorrows always make 
Their after-joys completest. 

The heavy load, the bitter cup, 
Are oft in memory given; 



Even death itself is but the gate 
That opens up to Heaven. 

Then let us gather faith and hope 
From life's unfailing crosses, 

Nor idly hope to reap a gain 
Without its price of losses ! 



A FRIEND. 
By Alfred Arnold. 

A friend is one who's lived a while 
And learned a world of stuff; 

Who smiles a kind of patient smile 
Though things be smooth or rough. 

A friend is one who's tried you out; 

Who's heard your every plan; 
Knows all your weakness and your 
doubt. 

And says, "I like that man." 

A friend is one who knows your faults, 

Yet doesn't hide his own; 
Who'd rather walk with one who halts 

Than plod along alone. 



566 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



BALLAD OF FERDINAND DeSOTO 

By George Magruder Battey, Jr. Decorations by Frank L. Stanton, Jr. 




When Ferdinand DeSoto went to Rome in search of gold, 
He never thought to make a name like pirate chiefs of old, 
But rather hoped to gather pelf from far-off hills and near, 
And divvy vi^ith his hard-up king — he was no profiteer! 

No doubt he would have got away in handsome style with this 
Except he thought that fire and sword were not so far amiss 
And Gent of Elvas, taking notes, not heard all Ferdie said 
And writ the story out in Spain long after Ferd was dead. 

Now, harking back a span or so, we find Ferd in Peru, 
A-fighting for the native spoils — in Nicaragua, too — 
So when he took himself back home, a pretty maiden there 
Thought Ferdie was the bravest man in Spain or anywhere. 

Yet Isabella's dad was rich and Ferdie's dad was poor; 
The king took Ferdie's share of gold and loudly called for more. 
Here Isabella proved her worth — she married Ferdinand, 
Forsook her dad and all his wealth for Ferdie's horny hand. 

Away they went in rocking ships, stopped on a lonely isle, 
Proceeded on their honeymoon, the journey seemed a mile — 
'Till Cuba's pearly shore loomed up, Havana on the bow, 
And Ferd reviewed his motley crew from soldier down to sow. 

In town they rented cozy flat that gave them latitude 
For all the charms of wedded life, their souls with love imbued; 
But Ferdinand was wise enough to know it couldn't last, 
And so he piped to Isabelle that time for love was past. 

"Oh, Ferdinand, you cannot go and leave me lonely here 
With perfect strangers, out of funds!" she wailed into his ear. 
But Ferdinand was adamant; "You do not vote," quoth he, — 
"My orders say to Florida to see what I can see." 

He took his leave of Isabelle and promised soon return; 
She sobbed aloud, disconsolate; her heart with grief did burn. 
Six hundred of this little band, some wearing coats of mail, 
A lot of horses, pigs and food, but not a wife set sail. 

Interpreters there were a few, some priests and sailor men, 
A doctor, prophet and a wag to cheer them now and then; 
The chroniclers formed quite a train, a cannoneer had piece 
To thunder through the country-side that red-skin war must cease. 

Some muskets, lances, spears and shot they bore in proud array, 
A banner by DeSoto planned, fierce bloodhounds, meat and hay. 
In Florida they landed well, at Tampa, in a calm; 
DeSoto lifted up his voice, the chorus sang a psalm. 

From inland quite a distance came Juan Ortiz, Spanish lad. 

Left with the savage years before by Narvaez the Bad. 

Ten Indians with Juan were took by Baltasar and men, 

To camp brought in that they might guide DeSoto through the fen. 



Miscellaneous — Poetry 



567 



Before the troop began its march from Tampa up the coast, 
DeSoto sent a lengthy note to Santiago host 
Of townsmen and their magistrate to tell them how he lit, 
But loving news to Isabelle he failed to send a bit. 

Now, lots of fights DeSoto had with red-skins bold and gory. 
His exploits made his little band far-famed in song and story. 
He came to Cutifachiqui, Savannah River city, 
And how he grubbed in sepulchres — Egad, it was a pity! 

The Princess Cuti gave him drink, a regal string of pearls. 

Threw up a piny barricade around the tribal girls; 

Then handed Ferd his feathered hat, and prayed he would not hurry; 

"If I could think YOU would not go," said Ferdie, "I should worry!" 

So saying Ferd put tenderly iron band upon her neck; 

"I guess we'll travel safely now or all bite dust, by heck!" 

He let her bear a box of gems, not wishing to be rude. 

And planned to get them when she left — with tale of solitude. 

But Cutifachiqui was wise, and wisely built, was good; 
She took the pearls and Soto's ring, escaped into the wood; 
Poor Ferd could ill have turned around to chase her in the night; 
He thought of 'Bella's sacrifice, but still he didn't write. 

Nacoochee Valley broke ahead. Gray Yonah called them on, 
Lorenzo, Soto's cavalier, went searching after corn. 
But found fair Echoee, the wife of savage Chief Tee-hailp, 
Who hacked Lorenzo on the bean and snipt Garillo's scalp. 

"All roads from here," the chief did grunt, "lead o'er the hills to Rome!' 
"That's Eldorado!" Soto cried. "Let's find our happy home!" 
Meanwile, glum Isabella wept, her grief she did confess, 
And would have writ a lot except for Ferdie's vague address. 

Chiaha, site of Rome, was reached by dashing Soto's men; 
They found a lot of salty dope for Gent of Elvas' pen. 
Pearl hunt along the Coosa took with forty red-skins brave, 
Louis Bravo shot old Mateos at entrance to the cave. 

Silvestre, Villalobos fared to Chisca, seeking gold; 
They stalked back in a week or so, in rags, downcast and cold. 
When Soto asked for 30 squaws to join his hapless band. 
The chief wrote out a double cross on Oostanaula sand. 

Away they trudged to Cosa next — no Eldorado found, 
But poisoned dart of Cherokee put Spaniards in the ground. 
Strong heart kept Soto on the mark to cop the king some dough; 
Neglected 'Bella languished still a thousand miles below. 

At last DeSoto crossed a stream full dark and deep and wide. 
And with tha fever in his blood one day he up and died; 
His bones found welcome resting place beneath the waters cold, 
But never did he sip content from Midas' cup of gold. 

The faithful Isabella, too, explored the other shore 
With broken heart still full of love for Soto evermore. 
Quite possibly both might have lived a hundred years and nine, 
If Soto in his frenzied quest had penned her just a line! 




RoMt cou«.r v^c-ot 



568 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

ROME IN 1934— A DREAM. 

Oh, noble Roman, let us trip to good year Thirty-four, 
Which witnesseth 100 years have gone on here before. 
Since Rome became a husky babe and now is called a town; 
Up goes the curtain on a scene of passing great renown: 

One hundred thousand folks there be and happily reside 
For quite a distance 'round the clock within our limits wide; 
Fair Chattanooga keeps an eye on Rome's expanding chest, 
Atlanta girds her loins to fight, and so do all the rest. 

In every ward we have a park where children play and grow — 
Red-blooded life is everywhere: the folks aren't dying so! 
The sexton's looking for a job as keeper of the log 
That tells how Romans live and love but slip no mortal cog. 

The city swimming pool is built, the market owns its home; 
Things generally are looking up in ancient modern Rome! 
Around for miles is boulevard that hits the mountain tops 
And jumps the rivers seven times — Egad, it never stops! 

The Berry School has built a shaft to doughty Cherokee 

Consisting of a model course in beads and basketry; 

And Shorter College now has oaks instead of trees austere, 

Which give the scholars welcome shade and make them dream while here. 

The little czars that reigned in state on seven hills of yore 

Are chumming with the rest of us : they're haughty nevermore ! 

The schools are adequate at last and every child is in; 

Miss Spain yells through a megaphone and Langley sees them win. 

The Fair is run by Mr. Bush and mighty Fair it seems; 
The aeroplanes are hauling freight, the sun looks down and beams. 
The river banks have had a shave, mosquitoes gone from here, 
All undesirables have quit; the bootleg sheds a tear. 

John Berry in the suburbs lives — he's moved his plant to Wax, 
His hosiery is still the rage — to Rome he pays his tax. 
Judge Wright has gone to Washington to get some things for Rome; 
The farmers keep on digging deep in Floyd County's loam. 

The President and Cabinet on Lavender have perch; 
They ponder o'er the nation's weal, and come to Rome to church. 
The diplomats of other lands troop here with open purse. 
The shark of yesterday has left, some other field to curse. 

And how has Rome attained to this — by finding pot of gold 
In Alto's top or miser's hoard or anything of old? 
Ah, no, my friend, the Rome we love received belated start 
By tapping of the gold that lies in every Roman heart! 



LOVE'S KISS THE SWEETEST. 
By Phil Glenn Bxjrd 
in The Hustler of Rome, Jan. 15, 1895. 

The pure kiss of friendship that falls from the lips 
Of a girl is as precious as gems of the realm. 

Like the signals exchanged in the passing of ships; 
"All is well. There's no fear, for a man's at the helm!" 

But when the caress kindles passion's wild fire. 

There is danger ahead, there's the squall and the reef 
In the waters forbidden, 'round the Isle of Desire, 
And the craft that would land is indeed doomed to grief. 

Yet the best of them all is the clinging caress, 
When a soul meets a, soul and in lover-like bliss. 

In the language of eyes plight the truth they confess. 
As they seal the sweet vows in a Love's deathless kiss! 







ocP^ltdZ ,^^^i^^z:^ 



/ / 



K 



~> 



570 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




PSYCHE'S MIRROR AT ROME. (Now Turn the Book Upside Down.) 



THE RIVERS OF CHEROKEE GEORGIA. 
By Ernest Neal. 

Have you heard of the land of the Cherokees, 
With its wonderful streams and beautiful trees, 
Of its flowers abloom and the wild perfume 
That floated like myrrh on the evening breeze? 

Have you heard of Echota, the capital town, 
And the brave old chief with feathery crown? 
Of the warrior band and the pow-wow grand. 
In the light of the moon when the sun went down? 

Far away in the past this quaint land lies, 
And around it the mists obscure arise; 
It is only in dreams we hear shrill screams 
Of the eagles afloat in their native skies. 

But the rivers glide on in rhythmical flow 
Through fields of today that grew maize long ago. 
The slow Connasauga, the clear Oostanaula — 
Like their musical names — gurgle soft and low. 

In the laugh of the ripples of sweet Salacoa, 
In the fall of the current of silvery Toccoa, 
In the roar of Tallulah and the splash of Yahoola 
Are the weird and sad notes of an unwritten lore. 

And we list to the song of the sad Etowah — 

In his voice is a sob, a refrain from afar — 

While the rough Chattahoochee makes love to Nachooochee 

In the shade of the vale of the Evening Star. 

From the gold-bearing mountains comes rich Chestatee 
Through the vales to the west flows Coosawattee; 
In their music shall roll the Indian soul 
As long as his rivers flow into the sea ! 



Miscellaneous — Poetry 571 

SUBMERGENCE OF THE SHORTER "PERISCOPE." 
(From The Rome News, Jan. 9, 1921.) 

Two months ago The Periscope for Shorter girls was full of dope, ground out 
by Senior Class so wise, concerning pretty hills and skies, philosophy on how to 
live, study, work and gladly give; replete with health and beauty hints, fine art 
in rouge and fleshy tints, and brimming o'er with snappy ads and warnings not 
to break their Dads. 

Alas; though Periscopes may skim the placid seas of joy and whim, they also 
now and then submerge (hark to the Seniors' mournful dirge!) ; and this one 
truly dropped from sight completely as it could one night. The reason why; the 
censor took a more than friendly, passing look at what the Seniors wished to tell 
within that periscopean shell, and so the sad-eyed Seniors swore of Periscopes 
they'd have no more. 

Alumnae now will try their hand to make subscribers understand just why for 
such a lengthy time they've missed their prose and jokes and rhyme. Eventually 
the Freshmen brave will take the helm and try to save this pleasing vehicle 
the fate of steaming deep and slow and late. The teachers long ago have fled to tall 
uncut with aching head, lest torpedo should hit His Nibs between his first and 
second ribs. In dreams we hear the Freshmen shout as censor tries to cut it out: 

"Please buy the verdant Periscope and get the latest Shorter dope!" 



THE UNBECKONED HEART. 

By Montgomery M. Folsom. 
(From Tribune, Nov. 15, 1896.) 

Convinced at last, and I have striven so long 
To win and keep you, all my powers of song 

And sentiment and pure ideals, too, 

Have I exerted, sweetheart, just for you. 

Sweetheart! Ah! did I use that sacred word? 

'Tis long, so long, ah me! since I have heard 
From those dear lips the thrilling accents sweet 

That gladdest echoes in my heart repeat! 

I will not chide you. I have learned to bear " 
Through long gray days of deepening despair 

The burdens of indifference and wrong, — 

The faith once placed in you has made me strong! 

This is the last remonstrance I shall make 

Who sacrificed so much; my heart may ache 
But though my love and labor all are vain. 
For your dear sake I'd do as much again! 

'Tis sad to be deceived, I must confess. 
And yet I love you in my loneliness! 
'Twas not ephemeral, this love of mine. 
But lasting as eternity divine! 

The chords are mute you woke within my soul. 

And ne'er again shall those sweet dream bells toll; 
To you I gave my full heart harvest store, — 
And fallow shall it stay forever more! 



THE JAYBIRD'S RETORT. 

(An old jingle sung by small boys in 1895.) 

Jaybird sittin' on a hickory limb, — 
He winked at me and I winked at him; 

Picked up a rock and hit him on the chin; 
He said, "Little boy, don't you do that again!" 



572 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




POVERTY HALL (Southwest Corner of Third Avenue and E. First Street.) 



THE POVERTY HALL BOYS. 

Oh, who does not with joy recall 
The noble boys of Poverty Hall, 
Full panoplied in manly pride. 
With naught but poverty to hide? 

Theirs not to dodge the sheriff's men. 
Theirs but to say, "Pleasef call again!" 
Theirs but to pluck a summer rose, 
And go the way the lover goes ! 

Oh, time will bless them every one. 
As maids in every clime have done! 
High up or with no funds at all, — 
Heroic knights of Poverty Hall ! 

THE WEALTH OF POVERTY HALL 
Oh, how can time or weather dim 
The glory and the joy of him 

Who lived in Poverty Hall? 
Full courtly, kind, immaculate. 
With many dates, and never late. 

Though pressed against the wall ! 

A red carnation in his coat, 

A thousand letters fondly wrote, — 

Perfumed his handkerchief; 
Fared bravely forth as moon shone 

bright. 
With banjo tunes lost in the night, 

And often came to grief! 

His plaint he piped into her ear, — 
Forsooth, she showed a little fear, — 

At party or at ball ; 
"Fair maid of Rome, please take my life. 
My everything, — just be my wife, — 

And live in Poverty Hall!" 



Some maids succumbed and some did 

not. 
Love lingered on; the chase was hot, 

And many took a fall; 
Great in the present be the men 
Who hoped and fought and perished 
then 
As the Boys of Poverty Hall ! 



Twenty-one of the original Poverty 
Hall boys, as recalled by one of the sur- 
vivors: Jas. Creswell Sproull, B. Tolly 
Haynes, William L. McKee. Jas. Neph- 
ew King, Harry P. Weatherly, Samuel 
L. Crook, Ellery A. Johnson, C. S. 
("Tap") Sparks, William A. McGhee, 
Samuel S. King, Harry Page Johnson, 
Wade Cothran Sproull, Hunter H. Mc- 
Clure, Claude B. Hargrove, Fleetwood 
Lester, Morton R. Emmons, Edward S. 
Emmons. Charles N. Patterson, Craw- 
ford W. Wingfield, Nat Trout, and 
George McManigaJ. 



LYRIC OF THE OOSTANAULA. 
(June 1, 1921.) 

June trips in quite blithesomely. 

Speckled trout is king. 
Lads are bathing in the creeks, — 

What a heap to bring! 

Hurry, hurry, carpenter, — 

Speed our craft along! 
Let the heavy winter hearts 

Sing our boating song! 



574 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



ROME. 
By Montgomery M. Folsom. 

Guarded by thy mighty mountains 

Softly toned by sun and shade, 
Watered in thy flowing fountains 

Flashing through each glen and glade 
Twined amid thy winding rivers, 

Mirrored by their shining foam, 
Where thy glowing splendor quivers, 

Standest thou, imperial Rome! 

Pictured plains and verdant valleys 

Flushed with glorious harvest hopes. 
Blithe the balmy breeze that dallies 

On thy bloom-embroidered slopes; 
Opulent with promise springing 

From the freshly-furrowed loam. 
Jubilant the joy bells ringing 

On thy hills, resplendent Rome! 

Other lands may boast their trophies, 

Vacuous vagaries of art, 
Nature needs no straining strophes 

To reveal thy golden heart; 
And indelibly recorded 

In each love-illumined tome. 
Free from every instinct sordid 

Shines thy story, radiant Rome! 

Fertile fields and frowsy fallows, 
Breezy banks where violets blow, 




JACK D. M'CARTNEY. of Savannah, whose 
lyrics and journalistic quips entertained Ro- 
mans for more than a decade. 



Fragrant flags and musky mallows 
Framed in drowsy deeps below; 

Shadowy woodlands, history haunted. 
Where each fancied nymph and 
gnome 

Long thy varied charms have daunted, 
Rome, incomparable Rome! 

There may each wayfaring stranger, 

Free as falls the summer dew 
Menaced by no dread or danger, 

Find a welcome warm and true; 
Free to share in all thy treasures 

And to find in thee a home. 
Peace pursue and plenteous pleasures 

In thy precincts, prosperous Rome! 

Sturdy sons and star-eyed daughters 

Blend their songs of hope and joy, 
Sweet as sound of falling waters 

Busied with each sweet employ; 
Peace and plenty reign around thee, 

Potent progress gilds each dome 
Where thy stalwart sons have crowned 
thee 

Realmed in riches, regal Rome! 



LOWLAND PHILOSOPHY. 

By The Canoe Man. 

(From The Rome News, Feb. 10, 1921; 

inspired by the high water.) 

Said the sage, "You can't have rivers 
three 

That wind in silver threads. 
Without some water now and then 

That leaves the river beds!" 

Said the Roman of the lowland sweep, 
"When freshets come, — who cares? 

We simply shut the front door fast 
And move our things upstairs!" 

BRICK. BRICK, BRICK! 

Brick, brick, brick 

On thy warm gray landscape, Rome, 
And I would that my tongue could utter 

The thoughts of the ideal home! 

0, well for the fisherman's boy 

And well for the shop-keeper's, too, 

O, well for the man who doesn't care 
But not so well for YOU ! 

And the motor boats go on 
To their cozy mooring place, 

But 0, for the touch of an artist's 
hand 
On this God-given place! 

Brick, brick, brick 

On Broad and highest hill, 
But the tender grace of a load of stone 

May come to soothe us still! 



Miscellaneous — Poetry 



575 




576 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




HOUSE PARTY DAYS AT POPE'S FERRY. 

A group at the Troutman place, on the Oostanaula, which includes Rev. and Mrs. 
Marcellus L. Troutman, Henry, Baldwin and Grace Troutman, Mrs. Mary B. King, 
Linton C. Hopkins and Miss Maggie Foote, of Atlanta, and the Lustrat girls of 
Athens, formerly of Rome. The dwelling was destroyed by fire in 1921. 



LITTLE HANDS THAT MOTHER 

LOVES. 

By Frank L. Stanton. 

Little hands whose work is o'er, 
Tired hands that toil no more, 
Tender little hands that rest 
Folded on the sinless breast — 
Bending o'er them mother stands, 
Kisses still these little hands. 

God, who ever does the best. 
Crossed them there and bade them rest, 
Would He then these hands condemn 
With a mother's kiss on them 
When they've crossed the burning 

sands? 
Mother loved those little hands ! 

Mother loved them in the past, 
Mother's kiss was on them last; 
Little hands, beneath the sod. 
Take a mother's kiss to God ! 
Waft it o'er the troubled lands, — 
Little snow-white angel hands! 

CAPTIVE WATER LILIES. 

Montgomery M. Folsom 

(In The Rome Tribune Nov. 7, 1896.) 

Wide eyed and golden hearted 
Ye peep through lattice bars; 

Far from your sisters parted 
Spirits of stolen stars. 

Not where the soft waves tumble 

Along the marshy glen; 
But near the roar and rumble 

And hurrying feet of men. 

Born where the rushes bending 
To hear the reed birds sing; 



Where wayward winds are wending 
The heron plumes her wing. 

Your heavenly kin half hiding 
Peep at the blushing dawn; 

When the Lord of day comes striding 
Through crimson curtains drawn. 

How can ye bloom so blithely 
Amid this groan and grind? 

How can you float so lithely 
In this cold close confined? 

No humming birds shall kiss you 

On flashing wings aglide; 
The western winds will miss you 

When falls the eventide. 
Pale prisoners ! In wonder 

Ye gaze through darkened bars 
From life and light asunder; 

Wan wraiths of fallen stars! 

THE GRASSHOPPER'S REVENGE. 
News Item. — A St. Louis paper says 
the grasshoppers have eaten up the 
entire tobacco crop of Franklin county, 
Missouri, and the last that was heard 
from them they were seated on the 
street corners, begging every man that 
passed for a chew. — Rome Tri-Weekly 
Courier, 1860. 

A locust with a gauzy wing, 
Orthopterous and full of vim. 

Met sad mishap one summer day — 
A man with quid spat juice on him! 

Enraged, the locust flew ahead 

And spat right in the bad man's eye, 

Then perched upon a limb and yelled, 
"You may can squirt, but vou can't 
fly!" 



578 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



JOHN WISDOM'S RIDE. 
By George M. Battey, Jr. 

Listen, O, Romans, and you shall hear 
Of a midnight ride — not Paul Revere — 
But John H. Wisdom, Roman true; 
There's scarce a poet who dares to do 
Him justice on this mundane sphere! 

He yelled to a friend, "The Yankees 

march 
From Gadsden ; Rome to take by night ! 
My steed is old, my throat does parch, 
But I will bear the beacon light 
That all the countryside may see 
What dangers lurking near there be; 
I'll sound the note of shrill alarm 
From town to town and farm to farm, 
That Rome and all may up and arm!" 

Then said adieu to Coosa's shore 
And whipped his charger more and 

more, 
'Till buggy creaked and jerked along 
Like unpoetic, mournful song; 
Hoke's Bluff he passed with piercing 

shout. 
At Gnatville horse's strength gave out. 
And handsome Widow Hanks did pout 
At lending pony young and small, 
To take John on to Goshen Hall. 




JNO. H. WISDOM, Rome stage coach driver, 
who rode 67 miles like Paul Revere to warn 
Romans of Streight's approach in 1863. 



But pony's lameness proved severe: 
With stubborn "plug" John hit the 

trail; 
Five miles they thumped the beaten 

track 
And met old Farmer Johnson near; 
Two steeds espied, then told his tale, — 
The son rode one to bring them back. 

Full forty miles were left to go, 
'Twas seven then and dark the night; 
Like wild birds in a sudden flight 
The horses raced, their nostrils red; 
The riders rushed to halt the blow 
Intended for the star so bright 
That shone above the Southland's 
dead. 

Now, Wisdom once the stage had 

manned 
From Rome to Alabama town; 
Spring Garden put him well adown 
The pike he oft had traveled o'er. 
Eleven miles to preacher's home 
And fresher horse; the boy returned; 
'Twas not so very far to Rome, — 
John's bump of indignation burned. 
This latest horse was likewise old, 
But put him to the Georgia line, — 
There groaned in pain and could not 

go 
And died, no doubt, for all I know. 
So John did spur himself again 
And rapped with pistol butt on door: 
The farmer answered with a scold, 
"You can't take nary horse of mine!" 

Not far ahead he got a steed. 
Passed Cave Spring like a lightning 

streak, 
Heard "Halt!" a musket shot or so, — 
Just kept on riding, did not speak; 
Vann's Valley reached in cloud of dust, 
Then cast aside another horse, 
And buckled saddle on a mule 
With spirits high, without remorse. 
No telephone from west to east. 
No train to bear the message grim, 
But get the warning there he must. 
And Rome was just an hour from him; 
Once charger stumbled to his knees. 
The rider hit the rocky road: 
'Twas but a trifle; up came John, 
Still more his faithful mount to goad. 

Meanwhile, unknown to John, the foe 
Across the Coosa raced for Rome; 
Two hundred, if they sacked the town, 
Could have some gold and then go 

home. 
With Captain Russell at their head 
This troop would win or join the dead; 
And also, back of Russell came 
Streight's main command, full sorely 

stung 
By Forrest's hornets, tired but game. 



Miscellaneous — Poetry 



579 




A COUNTRY PLACE NOTED FOR ITS HOSPITALITY. 

Here are shown some congenial parties at "Riverside," the home of Francis Marion 
Freeman, at Freeman's Ferry, Etowah River. Under the spreading mulberry tree 'are Robt. 
W. Graves and his wife, who was then Miss Juliet Howel, and Ed. Maddox and Miss Sue 
Freeman. Col. Freeman entertained Benj. H. Hill here late in 1860 when the statesman came 
to Rome to make a political speech. Other noted Georgians were his guests at various times. 



'Twas early morn by Tower clock 
When bridge at Rome John dashed 

across; 
He heard no bleating of the flock 
Or twitter of birds among the trees, 
But snores of Romans filled the breeze, 
Blowing over the river moss; 
"To arms, to arms!" he cried with glee, 
"And if you have not arms, then flee! 
Under the sloping banks, away!" 
The church bells rang out on the air. 
Then princely John sank in a chair 
And a lovely maiden stroked his hair. 

You know the rest. In the books you've 
read 



How at dawn Streight's motley crew 

looked down 
A cannon's mouth, squir'l guns and all, 
And swore they couldn't take the town, 
And Forrest, pushing on behind, 
With force one-third as large as 

Streight 
Nabbed the bunch near the city's watery 

gate. 

Thus ends our tale of Honest John; 

Pray let his fame spread far and 
near. 

For he could ride with the best of them. 

And so could the patriot Paul Re- 
vere ! 



580 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

SIDNEY LANIER. 

By Montgomery M. Folsom. 

(From The Rome Tribune, May 1, 1895; dedicated to the Lanier Circle of Rome 
and read at the anniversary meeting by the president, Rev. A. J. Battle.) 

He caught the lisp of lowly wings in shadowy nooks remote, 
And counted them as holy things ; the glad inspiring note 
Of mocking bird at break of day in songful Southern woods, 
Or whip-poor-will's weird roundelay in somber solitudes; 
The whispers of the dying wind on sunless summer eves 
In minor key incarnadined among the listless leaves; 
He was our chivalrous Bayard, without reproach or fear, 
Incomparable Southern bard, our myrtle-crowned Lanier! 

His mind exalted far above earth's circumscribing bound, 

Still stooped with tenderest touch of love to soothe the weakling's wound, 

And though he sang in martial tone of victories won for art. 

As gentle as a woman's own his sympathetic heart; 

Rapt seer of a prophetic age, now that his work is done 

His name is writ on fairer page than human triumph won; 

Our constellation mourns the loss of such scintillant sphere, 

The brightest in the Southern Cross, our troubadour — Lanier ! 

He lived within the realm of dreams of more than mortal ken, 
His spirit dwelt on loftier themes than move the hearts of men, 
And while his weary, way-worn feet still pressed the tear-stained sod, 
In solemn, soul-communion sweet his form did walk with God, 
Interpreting the unvoiced thought which in a blossom lies. 
And from the flash of star-beams caught a glimpse of Paradise ! 
Though fell the dark, untimely blight upon his earthly bier, 
Still blooms anew in life and light the spirit of Lanier! 

He searched the depths of seas unknown, their treasure chests revealed, 
He caught the sweet, sad undertone from other hearts concealed, 
He swept the chords of nature's lyre with potent, master hand, 
And felt the wild, prophetic fire that few can understand. 
What if the branch be withered now, the drooping tree bereft. 
Still clinging round that broken bough the rare perfume is left; 
Bequeathing us his deathless fame, he sought a nobler sphere, 
But earth shall claim that sacred name forevermore — Lanier! 

No more the soul of song shall thrill with joy that magic flute, — 

The lips melodious are still, the vibrant voice is mute, — 

But where the sacred seraphim their gladdest anthems raise 

And all the chanting cherubim echo the lingering lays. 

And asphodels of Eden bloom in fair Elysian fields, 

The lily's lingering perfume divine ambrosia yields; 

There, foremost of that choral throng the hosts of Heaven hear 

The voice attuned to raptured song of our own lost Lanier ! 



NEW YEAR'S CALLIN'. 

By Frank L. Stanton. 

(From The Tribune of Rome, Jan. 21, 1895.) 

I ain't much on sassiety — hain't bin thar more'n twice — 
But when they take a feller round, he gits to feelin' nice! 
They had been goin' New Year's night, an' sakes alive! the way 
Them purty girls kept smilin' made me think the dark was day! 

"Now, let me interduce you, Frank," John Taylor sez, sez be, 

An' he whispered, "Pull yer gloves off — you mus' shake hands, don't yer see?" 

An..' then he muttered, with a frown, "Well, I wish I may be ded. 

But you're goin' in the parlor with your hat upon yer head!" 

'Twas a fact! I clean forgot and didn't realize at all 
I was bang up in sassiety and on a New Year's call ! 





^,L^^ 






582 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



"Some folks is quite pertick-ler," says Taylor, "See the Jack! 
He's hung his hat upon the floor as if there warn't a rack!" 

He throwed me clean at every turn — kerflummuxed all erbout; 

I didn't know which way ter move, but felt like movin' out; 

"Now here's Miss Blank a-comin' in," he sez, "Don't look so flat; 

Why, bless my soul, you've clean forgot — now whar's yer white cravat?' 

My patience was a-weakenin fast; sez I, "Now look a-here! 
I'm tired o' this 'ere foolin', an' I'm gwine to git in there!" 
An' in I walked, and heard him say (still viewin' my construction), 
"Jes' look at him a-shakin' hands 'thout ary inter duction!" 

An' "Whut's yer name?" I sez to one, all drest in pink an' white; 
"That diamond you're a-wearin' mus' ha' cost a powerful sight! 
You're jes' the purtiest creetur that I've seed fer many a year; 
Nigh onto twenty years, ain't yer; been long a-livin' here?" 

Then Taylor nudged me with his arm, all in a powerful rage: 
"Fer pity's sake, my fren'," he sez, "don't ax the girls their age!" 
That fairy creetur smil'd on me like basket full o' chips, — 
Sed it didn't make no difference. (An' Oh! them rosy lips!) 

One place we went I can't ferget; a chap who didn't know 

The custom of the purty girls got 'neath the mistletoe, 

When — Smack! she give him such a kiss, 'twould done yer good ter see; 

But I think I kinder miss'd it when I axed her ter kiss me! 

Good gracious; but the purtiness — I never seed the like: 

The ugly people in the worl' was all out on a strike! 

An' lookin' at them faces fair, them cheeks o' lovely glow 

I felt like sayin' loud, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!" 

Well, I got on first-class foremost, 'spite of Taylor an' his talk, 

Shook hands with all the purty girls an' made the vittles walk! 

I et three dozen suppers, 'cause I minded well the text: 

"Ef you're hungry on a New Year's night, you'll be that way till next!" 

We went fum house to house; shuk hands, and sich a happy shakin'! 
Until when nuthin' else would break, the day hit went to breakin', 
As if the Lord had smiled upon the world an' made it bright 
An' I went out o' sassiety chock full o' New Year's Night! 



THE OLD TOWN CLOCK. 
By Mrs. Naomi P. Bale. 
Since 1871, thus mused the old town 
clock, 
I've stood the storms of wind and 
rain, 
Have felt the earthquake shock. 

My house was torn by lightning 
stroke. 
Yet my patient hands moved on 

And not a moment have I lost 
In all the years agone. 

Many who oft looked in my face. 
Are scattered far and wide. 

Others are quietly resting in peace 
On the hill by the river's side. 

Other bright faces still greet me here, 
Each day in their school hour's task, 
And I make new friends year after 
year 



And this is all I could ask. 
To you, my new friends, who look on 

With eager and laughing eyes. 
Upon each mind this lesson I'd trace, 

"Be earnest, be watchful, be wise." 

There's a place in the strenuous battle 
of life. 
Which each one must surely fill. 
The hero's place can be yours in the 
strife. 
Or the sluggard's place, if you so 
will. 

Then choose your place — 
The voice was hushed — 
There was silence in the old town 
clock. 
The potent spell of the fairy was 

gone, 
And nothing was heard but "tick, 
tock." 



Miscellaneous — Poetry 



583 



%i.'->J"t>i;4i. 




FINE HOMES, LARGE HOMES AND SMALL. 

1 — p, B. Brown (Dr. Eben Hillyer) ; 2 — Wright Willingham (Dr. Ross P. Cox) ; 3 — The Old 
Noble home; 4 — W. J. Griffin (S. G. Hardy-Thompson Hiles) ; 5 — B. T. Haynes (C. W. Kmg) ; 
6 — H. W. Morton (W. T. McWilliams) ; 7 — Part of old Robt. Battey home; 8 — P. M. Sheib- 
ley (now owned by Woman's Auxiliary of Chamber of Commerce); 9 — Battey Infirmary Group; 
10 — Miss Julia Omberg; 11 — Geo. F. Nixon; 12 — B. F. Quigg (Col. N. J. Bayard); 13 — Dr. 
R. M. Harbin; 14 — Judge Joel Branham; 15 — Robt. W. Graves; 16 — Rev. L. R. Gwaltney; 
17 — J. W. Bryson (W. M. Towers) ; 18 — Judge Jno. W. Maddox. 



584 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



THE ACCESSION OF QUEEN 
LOUISE. 

(To Miss Louise Berry, Home-Coming 
Week, Oct. 13, 1921.) 

And now we'll give attention, please, 
To crowning of the fair Louise : 

This Indian Summer day her host 

Of loyal subjects trooped in state 
Through panoplied procession grand 

Her gentleness to emulate. 
Forsooth, her beauty and her charm, 

Her wisdom and her wit adore, 
And suppliant, with loving hands, 

Obey her bidding evermore! 
(That is, as long as she return 

The queenly incense for to burn). 

Sat also in an autumn haze 

Of fast expiring, gracious reign 
The fair Penelope the First, 

Who soon will be a queen again! 
And all around were courtiers, 

'Till one rose up with bulging chest 
And by the power in his voice 

Writ down himself with princes best. 

Prince Willingham! His doublet fit 
Immaculate; his sleeves of lace 

And coat of purple told entire 
The glory of a noble race; 




A JOLLY home-coming GROUP of vis- 
itors and hostesses at the East Rome en- 
trance to the city, October, 1920. 



And from his silver tongue there flowed 

Philippic to the moulding past: 
"Good Queen Penelope is gone, 

Good Queen Louise is not the last!" 
(Prince Dean, of passing great re- 
nown, 
Then gave Her Loveliness the 
crown). 

A chapter yet ere day is done : 

In gathering shadows comes the Ball ; 
The queens will slowly march and 
shed 

Their radiant loveliness o'er all; 
The hills will echo back the note 

Of herald's trumpet blast ahead: 
"Wake, Romans, wake, and look be- 
yond 

To future bright; the past is dead!" 

SONNET TO A DEPARTED FRIEND 

(Sept. 3, 1920.) 
Sweet lady of the olden South we come 
To pay our fond respects as thou dost 

go 
Up into fairer land that none may know 
Or wonder how strange mystery issues 

from ! 
Amid a bower of roses, lilies, phlox 
We sadly sing from deep our souls 

within, — 
If not too late, thy peaceful smile to 

win; 
Thy Lord beyond the portal gently 

knocks ! 
And then the last farewell; 'tis good to 

live 
If living means to think of thee in 

prayer. 
Uncovered, stand in swishing autumn 

wind 
And wonder if the noble life you give 
Can find its saintly counterpart up 

there ; 
Oh, how we need thee who are left 

behind ! 

LINES TO A HUMMINGBIRD SEEN 
AT A LADY'S WINDOW. 
By John Rollin Ridge. 
Yon dew-drunk bacchanal 

Hath emptied all the roses of their 
sweets. 
And drained the fluent souls 

Of all the lilies from their jeweled 
bowls; 
And now on rapid wings he fleets 

To where by yonder crystal pane 
A lady, young and fair. 

Looks out upon the sifting sun-lit 
rain. 

That ripe, red mouth he takes 

For rarer flower than ever yet was 
quaffed. 



Miscellaneous — Poetry 



585 




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586 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



And longeth much to sip 

The honey of that warm and dewy 
lip, 
And drain its sweetness at a draught. 
Ah! vain, delusive hope! 'tis hard, 
But rainbow-winged bird, 

Thou'rt not alone from those sweet 
lips debarred ! 

Now, charmed with her eyes. 

And dazzled by their more than 
sunny light. 
He winnoweth with his wings 

The fineness of the golden mist, and 
swings, 
A breathing glory in her sight! 

Too happy bird, he's won a smile 
From that pi'oud beauty rare 

Which from his throne an angel 
might beguile ! 

How dizzy with delight 

He spins his radiant circles in the 
air! 
Now, on their spiral breath 

Upborn, he 'scapes th' enchantress 
underneath 
And will not die of joy or of despair — 
The gleam in her Ijright eyes, and 
wild. 
Ne'er hoping once to win 

The nectar from those lips which on 
him smiled! 




A CHEROKEE LOVE SONG.* 
By John Rollin Ridge. 

Come with me by moonlight, love 
And let us seek the river's shore; 

My light canoe awaits thee, love. 
The sweetest burden e'er it bore! 

The soft, low winds are whispering 
there 

Of human beauty, human love. 
And with approving faces, too, 

The stars are shining from above. 

Come place thy small white hand in 
mine, 
My boat is 'neath the willow trees. 
And with my practised arm the oar 
Will ask no favor from the breeze. 

Now, now, we're on the waters, love. 
Alone upon the murmuring tide — 

Alone! but why should we regret 
If there were none on earth besides? 

What matters it if all were gone? 

Thy bird-like voice would yet beguile. 
And earth were heaven's substitute 

If thou wert left to make it smile! 

Oh, mark how soft the dipping oar. 
That silent cleaves the yielding 
blue — 

Oh, list the low sweet melody 

Of waves that beat our vessel too! 

Oh, look to heaven, how pure it seems, 
No cloud to dim, no blot, no stain; 

And say — if we refuse to love. 

Ought we to hope or smile again? 

That island green, with I'oses 
gemmed,** 
Lefs seek it, love — how sweet (a 
spot! 
Then let the hours of night speed on — 
We live to love — it matters not! 



of 



HALLOWED GROUND. 
Oh, some may think it matters not 

Where one first sees the light 
day. 
But lucky is the man whose lot 

It was to enter life's glad way, 
Feneath the Oostanaula's shade, 

Where red-skin once his pallet laid ! 
Yea, hallowed be the ground of Rome — 

My heart is there though I'm afar! 
Abode I like, I worship home. 

And all its folk who blithesome are! 
May not all those who love it still 

Clasp hands sonte day in Myrtle 
Hill? 



DR. RICHARD VENABLE MITCHELL, an 
old Roman who is fondly recalled by many 
members of the present generation. 



*His thoughts here go back to his happy 
days spent on the Oostanaula. 

**Reference is probably to Whitmore's Island. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



587 



PARTIAL LIST OF INTERMENTS IN MYRTLE HILL CEMETERY 

Note — This list was taken from the records of City Sexton C. L. King, dating 
from 1874 through Sept. 2, 1922, and contains approximately 1,500 names, which is 
probably one-sixth of total. Additions and corrections for Vol. II. are desired. 

The figure after the name is the age at death ; the figure after the date of death 
is the day of burial. In most cases the deceased were natives of Rome or Floyd 
County; unless otherwise noted, death occurred there. The first entry is translated 
thus: Burwell, Lewis D.; 59 years old; born in North Carolina; died at Rome 
Jan. 9, 1874; buried Jan. 11, 1874. 

Myrtle Hill Cemetery is situated in South Rome at the junction of the Etowah 
and the Oostanaula on a knoll 100 feet or more above the rivers. It is often re- 
ferred to by visitors as one of the most beautiful natural locations in the United 
States. The first interments were made in 1857, when the old Seventh Avenue 
Cemetery was officially abandoned, but the records do not go back that far. 



1874. 

Burwell, Lewis D., 59; bn. N. C; 1-9- 

74; 1-11. 
Bruce, Caleb, 57; 2-11-74; 2-14. 
Terhune, Wm. Barclay, 53, of N. J.; 6- 

30-74; 7-1. 
Landrum, Mrs. C. T., 28; bn. Ala.; De- 

Soto; 2-27-74; 2-28. 
McGuire, Mrs. T. J., 34; bn. Ga.; 3-8- 

74; 3-9. 
Landers, J. M. B., 61; bn. Ala.; 3-19-74; 

3-21. 
Buchanan, A. J.. 57; bn. Ga.; 3-2-74; 

3-21; drowned. 
Bergman, Peter, 35; of Sweden, res. 

Ala.; 3-24-74; 3-25. 
Mooney, J. P., 27; of N. C, killed; 4- 

18-74; 4-25. 
Shockley, Mrs. Elizabeth, 86; Fl. Co.; 

5-14-74; 5-15. 
Adkins, W. E.; 6-16-75; 6-17. 
Morrison, Geo., 20; bn. Ga.; killed on 

R. R., 7-14-74; 7-16. 
Seay, Mrs. Mary, 28; bn. Ga., 7-25-74; 

7-26. 
Wimpee, Mrs. A. V., 30; DeSoto; 10-25- 

74; 10-26. 
McAfee, Mrs. M. M., 64; 11-22-74; 11- 

23. 
Marable, Mrs. M. A.; 58; 12-22-74; 12- 

23. 
LeHardy, Eugene, 58; bn. Belgium; 12- 
27-74; 12-28. 

1875. 

Mills, Mrs. Lizzie, 30; 4-2-75; 4-4. 
Funderburk, Mrs. T., 65; S. C; 3-7-75; 

3-8 
Attaway, Charley, 73; S. C; 3-26-75; 

3-28 
Mattson, Emil, 23; Sweden; 4-2-75; 4- 

12. 
Smith, Rev. J. H., 23; bn. Ga.; res. Fla., 

4-13-75; 4-17. 
Veal, Mrs. Sarah A., 42; bn. Ga.; 5-30- 

75; 5-31. 



Smith, Asahel R., 81; 6-25-75; 6-26. 
Sullivan, Walter; 20; bn. S. C; dd. N. 

Y.; 8-2-75; 8-6. 
Scott, Dunlap, 42; 10-30-75; 11-1. 
Stillwell, Mrs. Mary, 23; 11-10-75; 11- 

11. 
Stan.sbury, Miss Mary, 25; Tenn.; 11- 

17-75; 11-18. 

1876. 

McDonald, Mrs. Ellen, 72; 1-6-76; 1-7. 
Jack, Mrs. Eliza, 72; N. C; 1-12-76; 

1-13. 
Brownlow, Jas., 88; S. C; 2-16-76; 2-17. 
Jack, Howard, 44; 4-11-76; 4-12. 
Burwell, Mrs. M., 75; Va.; 4-11-76; 4- 

13. 
Printup, Mrs. J. J., 25; 5-11-76; 5-12. 
West, Jane M., 81; Tenn.; 5-20-75; 5-23. 
Edmondson, Mrs. Belle Watters, 25; 7- 

17-76; 7-18. 
Stewart, Sam'l., 64; 9-4-76; 9-5. 
Selkirk, Mrs. M. C; 54; 8-17-76; 8-19. 
Carver, Mrs. Edith, 63; N. C; 9-24-76; 

9-25. 
Mitchell, D. R., 74; bn. Ga. ; 11-10-76, 

in Fla.; 11-18. 
Jones, Wm. F., 76; res. N. C; bn. Ga.; 

12-14-76; 12-16. 
Dayton, Thos., 26, of Pa.; 12-27-76 

from pistol wound; 12-29. 

1877. 

Gregory, Mrs. S. M.; 77; 1-4-77; 1-6. 
Graham, G. W., 52; S. C; 2-5-77; 2-6. 
Underwood, John H., 61; 2-24-77; 2-26. 
Wildsmith, Jane, 29; England; 3-4-77; 

3-5. 
Butler, Green B., 42; res. Atlanta; 3-13- 

77; 3-14. 
Shorter, Mrs. Martha, 78; 3-22-77; 3-23. 
Meigs, R. L., 62; bn. N. C; 4-22-77. 
Cutter, M. N., 61; bn. N. Y.; 4-23-77; 

4-24. 
May, Mrs. S. M., 48; bn. Tenn.; 5-10- 

77; 5-11. 



588 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




GLIMPSES IN ROME'S "SILENT CITY OF THE DEAD." 

r. A c''°.r^ .^' Easter singing, 1921; tomb of Alfred Shorter; the Confederate monument; 
Uaniel S,. l-rintup shaft; the Connally lot; Forrest monument and shaft to Women of the Con- 
federacy on Broad; a group at the Battey vault; the C. N. Featherston grave; grave of 
Mitchell A. Nevm; Chas. A. Hight lot; a group at the grave of the first Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



589 



Woods, Thos., 27; bn. England; 5-29- 

77 • 5-30. 
Norton, Wm. G., 20; bn. Conn.; 6-2-77; 

Cothran, W. S., 73; bn. S. C; 7-20-77; 

7-21. 
Wildsmith, Ann, 54; bn. England; 8-6- 

77; 8-7. 
May, S. M., 50; bn. Tenn;. 8-9-77; 8-10. 
Wilkerson, Eliza, 66; 8-21-77; 8-22. 
Beysiegel, Chas., 55; bn. Germany; 

lived DeSoto; 8-21-77; 8-22. 
Dewberry, Thos.. 43; bn. S. C; 9-14-77; 

9-15. 
Hazelton, Mrs. Mary., 103; bn. Eng- 
land; 10-11-77; 10-12. 
Reynolds, Larkin H.; 33; bn. Bartow 

Co.; 11-12-77; 11-13. 
Connor, Mrs. R. L., 54; 12-7-77; 12-9. 
Shropshire, Lizzie, 19; 11-18-77; 11-19. 
Grossman, J. W., 45; lived DeSoto; 12- 

30-77; 12-31. 

1878. 

Bowen, Elizabeth; 57; 4-29-78; 4-30. 
Brower, Minnie Lester, 21; bn. S. C; 

Watters, G. W.; 56; 3-9-78; 3-11. 
Sproull, J. C, 46; bn. S. C; Carters- 

ville 1-12-66; mvd to Rome 4-4-78. 
Mills, Mrs. E. W., 60; bn. N. C; 4-14- 

78; 4-15. 
Howell, J. C, 21; kid. in battle, 7-30- 

64; mvd. from Kingston 4-24-78. 
Hart, J. R., 52; bn. N. C; 6-1-78; 6-2. 
Seavey, Wm. T., 31; Hot Springs. Ark., 

6-25-78; 6-28. 
Gardner, Geo. H., 56; bn. England; 8- 

25-78; 8-27. 
Smith, Greenville, 64; bn. Tenn.; 9-17- 

78* 9-18 
Perry! Thos. J., 54; 9-28-78; 9-29. 
Maguire, Terrence; 57; bn. N. Y.; 10-3- 

78; 10-4. 
Howell. G. W., 61; bn. Tenn., Ived Ala.; 

10-13-78; 10-14. 
Pitner, A. G.; 62; 11-28-78; 11-30. 
Miller, H. H., 60; bn. Tenn;. 11-30-78; 

12-1. 

1879. 

Wardlaw, H. H., 27; bn. Ga.; res. Ark.; 
1-3-79: 1-7. 

Jackson, Wm., 79; bn. S. C; 2-5-79; 2-6. 

Jones, Elizabeth, 59; res. Floyd Co.; 3- 
2-79; 3-3. 

Mclntyre, Mrs. Margaret, 40; bn. Scot- 
land, Ivd S. Rome; 3-3-79; 3-4. 

McKenzie, Hattie, 32; 3-7-79; 3-9. 

Walker, L. P., 56: bn. Penn., res. De- 
Soto; 3-24-79; 3-25. 

O'Rear, Richard, 7; drowned 5-17-79; 
5-21. 

Lee. Geo. W., 49; 4-3-79; 4-6. 

Galloway, Thos., 30; bn. Scotland; 5- 
28-79; 5-29. 



Graves, M. L., 83; bn. N. C; 6-1-79; 

6-2. 
Wood, Mrs. Sarah G., 78; bn. N. C; 

6-4-79; 6-5. 
Aldridge, Mrs. A. M., bn. England; 6- 

7-79; 6-8. 
Cooley, J. C, 15; bn. Tenn.; concussion 

brain caused by fall; 6-25-79; 6-26. 
Langston, Mrs. A. J., 42; 6-27-79; 6-29. 
Britt, Mrs. F. R.; 48; res. DeSoto; 6- 

28-79 ■ 6-30 
Lee, James, 73; bn. Ireland; 7-11-79; 

7-12. 
Gprsley, Mrs. M. E., 65; bn. Germany, 

Ivd Ohio; 7-13-79; 7-14. 
Lansdell, Mrs. A. M., 70; 7-26-79; 7-28. 
Towns, J. R., DeSoto; 8-3-79; 8-4. 
Mapp, Frank, 16; concussion brain, ac- 
cident; 8-17-79; 8-18. 
Lee. Mrs. Mary, 65; 8-22-79; 8-23. 
Buford, Mrs. Mary A.; bn. S. C; res. 

DeSoto; 9-8-79; 9. 
Trammell, V. B.; 35; res. DeSoto; dd. 

9-15-79, of gunshot wds.; 16. 
Gibbons, Mrs. C; 77; bn. Va.; dd. 

9-16-79; 17. 
Freeman, Mrs. Sarah G.; 9-26-79; 28. 
Berry, James E.; 59; bn. Tenn.; 10-2- 

79 • 3. 
Omberg,'Nick; 24; 10-3-79; 4. 
McDonald, Alexander; 82; 10-6-79; 7. 
Wimpee, John; 29; 10-7-79; 8. 
Trainor. Mrs. Kate; 29; bn. Penna.; 

res. S. Rome; dd. 11-4-79, by drown- 
ing in well ; 5. 
Bowie, Mrs. Clara Mills; 26; bn. Ills.; 

11-7-79* 9 
Buckley, Dan'l C; bn. Irel'd; 12-1-79; 3. 
Morris. Mrs. Mary; 32; E. Rome; 12- 

2-79; 4. 

1880. 

Burke. Mrs. Sarah E.; 39; bn. Ala.; 

2-17-80; 18. 
Hinton, Mrs. Sarah; 71; bn. N. C; 2- 

20-80; 21. 
Omberg, Mrs. M. A.; 43; bn. S. C; 

2-22-80; 23. 
Marion, Mrs. Mary B.; 36; 3-1-80; 2. 
Lansdell, A. M.; 73; bn. N. C; 3-25-80; 

28 
McDonald, Mrs. Martha; 41; 4-1-80; 3. 
Johnson, Geo.; 36; bn. S. Rome: dd. 

4-17-80, from knife wounds; 19. 
McDonald, Mattie; 19; 4-29-80; May 1. 
Cline, Mrs. Jane: 41: bn. S. C; res. E. 

Rome; 5-24-80: 26. 
Richardson, Mrs. Lizzie; 18; dd. 6-4-80, 

of burns at home; 6. 
Hargrove, Malinda; 78; res. S. Rome; 

6-7-80; 8. 
Johnson, Janie; 20; S. Rome; 6-23-80; 

24. 
McCullough, Thos.: 69: bn. Scotland; 

E. Rome; 6-28-80; 23. 



590 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




THROUGH THE COUNTRY WITH A KODAK. 

Top, left to right, the Tarvin place, Carlier Springs, deathplace of Dr. Robt. Battey; 
a view from Tubbs' Mountain; old school house at Carlier; the Mt. Alto school; A. C. Fincher, 
mayor of Cave Spring; the Rush place, near which Major Ridge used to live; Dr. John F. 
Lawrence at his Radio Spring; a rural cottage; the Gailliard place; Dykes' Creek spring; 
Primitive (Hardshell) Baptist church. East Rome; the Wyatt place, near Mt. Alto. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



591 



Bryant, Mrs. Julia H.; 80; bn. N. C; 

7-24-80; 26. 
A.xe, David; 45; bn. Pa.; 8-2-80; 3. 
McNulty, Gertrude; 20; bn. S. C; 8- 

18-80; 19. 
Perkins, Henry; 22; bn. Tenn. ; killed 

8-20-80, under falling bank of dirt; 

21. 
Thomas, J. A.; 44; bn. N. C; res. Ohio; 

9-16-80; 18. 
Williams, E. A.; 37; bn. Va.; 10-10-80; 

12. 
Gunn, Donald M. ; 42; bn. Scotland; 

10-18-80; 19. 
Cornelius, W. T.; 38; bn. Cobb Co.; 11- 

3-80; 5. 
Pearson, Mrs. M. A.; 63; bn. S. C. 

11-10-80; 11. 
Keith, E. M.; 60; bn. Tenn., lived Ala. 

11-25-80; 27. 
Berry, M. J.; 35; bn. Ala.; 11-28-80 

30. 
Ross, Eugene M.; 34; 11-29-80; Dec. 1. 
Norton, Isaac; 53; bn. Conn.; 12-7- 

80; 8. 
Berry, Emma; 16; 12-7-80; 9. 
Ross, Mrs. Nancy; 70; 12-8-80; 9. 

1881. 

Moore, Mrs. M. L.; 42; bn. Va.; 1-26- 
81 ■ 27 

Mitchell, Effie; 19; bn. Ala.; dd. from 
burns; 2-8-81; 9. 

Gregory, Jackson; 81; bn. Va. ; res. 
Polk Co.; 2-9-81; 11. 

Carwile, Mrs. Martha; 42; bn. Ala.; 
2-14-81; 15. 

Mills, Mrs. C. W.; 68; res. S. Rome; 
bn. Va.; 2-19-81; 21. 

Moore, Mrs. Matilda; 90; bn. S. C; 3- 
28-81; 29. 

Ramey, Lula; 18; dd. 4-15-81, from 
gangrene in lung caused by swal- 
lowing piece of cedar; 16. 

Rumph, Wm. M.; 72; bn. S. C; 4-16-81; 
18. 

Battey. Robt. ; 15; dd. at Bishop Hay- 
good's home, Emory College, Oxford, 
Ga.; 4-18-81; 19. 

Wingfield, M. P.; 62; 4-18-81; 19. 

Underwood, Dr. Jno. Banks; 71; res. 
Floyd Co.; 5-6-81; 8. 

Mitchell, Mrs. Amanda C; 47; bn. S. 
C; res. DeSoto; 5-10-81; 11. 

DeJournett, Jno. C; 71; bn. N. C; 5- 
17-81; 18. 

Thomnson, W. A.; 60; bn. N. C; res. 
DeSoto; 6-3-81; 4. 

Harris, Mrs. Emma D.; 39; bn. Ala.; 
6-6-81; 7. 

Williamson, Jeff C; 9; drowned by ac- 
cident; 6-6-81; 9. 

Harris, Elizabeth; 82; bn. Va.; res. De- 
Soto; 6-15-81; 16. 

Callahan, M. H.; 64; bn. Ireland; 6- 
20-81; 21. 



Trainer, C. A.; 51; bn. Md.; res. S. 

Rome; 8-18-81; 19. 
Reece, Mrs. Agnes Silvers; 24; bn. 

Eng.; res. DeSoto; 9-6-81; 7. 
Robinson, Mrs. Frances A.; 48; 9-11- 

81' 12. 
Axson, Mrs. Margaret E.; 43; 11-4- 

81; 5. 
Graves, Fannie; 18; 11-23-81; 25. 
Alexander, Thos.; 22; res. S. Rome; 
12-10-81; 11. 

1882. 
Richardson, Geo.; 28; dd. Catoosa, 

Ga. 1-7-82; 9. 
Hamilton, Mrs. Malinda; res. DeSoto; 

dd. Atlanta; 1-27-82; 28. 
Cooley, Milton A. ; 54 ; res. Gordon Co. ; 
dd. of accidental gunshot wound in 
Gordon; 1-31-82; 2-1. 
Harris, Bud; 25; res. Polk Co.; drown- 
ed; 2-21-82; Mar. 16. 
Wardlaw, Mrs. E. L.; 59; 4-24-82; 25. 
Govan, Moore Fontenoy, Jr.; 16; 4-28- 

82 30. 
Holbrook, Mrs. S. C; 54; bn. Tenn.; 5- 

19-82; 20. 
Craig, Mrs. Anna; 36; bn. N. Y.; 5- 

20-82 ' 22 
Maguffee, Mrs. Elizabeth; 83; bn. N. 

C; res. DeSoto; 5-21-82; 22. 
West. Mattie, 15; 5-30-82; 31. 
Connor, Ty C; 65; 6-30-82; 1. 
Dick, Sm'l., Sr.; 75; bn. Tenn.; dd. 

Tenn.; 1-25-1867; 7-18-82. 
Shorter, Alfred, 79; bn. Ga.; 7-18-82; 

20. 
Stokes, Andrew J.; 46; bn. Tenn.; 7- 

9A_g2 • 21 
Rawlins,' J. C.; 66; bn. Va.; dd. Atlan- 
ta; 7-28-82; 30. 
Moon, A. F.; 60; bn. Mass.; 8-2-82; 2. 
Barron, Mrs. H. A.; 62; 8-8-82; 9. 
Hardin, Mrs. Rebecca; 66; 8-9-82; 10. 
Moore, Gardner; 21; 9-4-82; 5. 
Woodward, Mrs. Maggie; 36; bn. Ala.; 

9-10-82; 11. 
Bones, Mrs. J. W.; 49; bn. Eng.; res. 

E. Rome; 9-24-82; 26. 
Reynolds, W. B.; 62; bn. Ind.; 10-7- 

82; 9. 
Parks. H. H.; 42; res. DeSoto; 10-24- 

82; 26. 
Sill, O. W.; 65; bn. N. C; dd. from 

concussion of brain; 11-5-82; 6. 
Bayard, Nicholas J.. Jr.; 34; bn. Ga.; 

dd. Fla.; 11-20-82; 23. 
Cheney, Dr. F. W.; 74; res. Chattooga 

Co!; 12-5-82; 7. 
Moore, Mrs. Frances; 82; 12-29-82; 30. 

1883. 

Webb, Mrs. L. M. ; 68; bn. S. C; 2-14- 

83; 16. 
Tolbey, Wm.; bn. Ala.; 2-28-83; Mar. 

Map'p. Wm. T.; 44; 3-21-83; 23. 



592 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Sproull; Chas. Wm. ; 35; res. Bartow 

Co.; dd. Bartow Co.; 3-24-83; 26. 
Colclough, Walter; 22; 3-24-83; 26. 
Echols, Lon A.; 22; bn. Ala.; 4-1-83; 3. 
Hutching-s, Mrs. A. R.; 72; bn. Va.; 

4-7-83; 8. 
Mayo, Jno. Willis; 72; dd. concussion 

of brain; 4-12-83; 13. 
Glanton, Mrs. Polk; 48; bn. S. C; 4-21- 

83; 23. 
Elam, Mrs. M. N.; 56; 5-5-83; 6. 
Omberg, Mrs. Emma M.; 79; bn. Nor- 
way; 5-23-83; 25. 
Berry, John M.; 48; bn. Tenn.; 6-20-83; 

21. 
White, Mrs. Jane; 81; bn. S. C; res. 

Macon; 7-14-83; 15. 
Noble, Rosa; 19; res. S. Rome; 8-3- 

83; 4. 
Hoyt. Ida Belle; 16; 8-14-83; 15. 
Smalley, Geo. G.; bn. Whitfield Co.; 

res. Chattooga Co.; 9-19-83; 20. 
Jenkins, Mrs. Matilda C; 44; bn. Va.; 

9-26-83; 27. 
Messenger, L. E.; 59; bn. Sweden; res. 

S. Rome; 10-13-83; 14. 
Gentry, Mrs. Flora S.; 35; 10-20-83; 

21. 
Sheras, Thos. S.; 50; bn. N. Y.; 11-3- 

83; 4. 
Jenkins, Jos.; 25; res. DeSoto; 11-4- 

83; 5. 
Smith, Geo.; 67; bn. England; res. S. 

Rome; 11-6-83; 7. 
Watkins, Mrs. Lizzie; 35; bn. Ga.; res. 

Tenn.; 11-11-83; 13. 
Wilson, Rev. G. W.; 50; bn. Ohio; 11- 

16-83; 17. 
Bailey, Mrs. Martha; 60; res. DeSoto; 

11-17-83; 18. 
Spullock, Jas. M.; 67; 12-5-83; 6. 
Cashman. Wesley; 39: bn. Ohio; killed 

on railroad; 12-12-83; 14. 
Jones, Wm.; 45; res. Floyd Co.; 12- 
31-83; 1-1-84. 

1884. 
Clyne, P. H.; 53; bn. Ireland; res. S. 

Rome; 1-6-84; 7. 
Towers, Mrs. Mary; 23; res. S. Rome; 

1-23-84; 25. 
Bale, Mrs. P. G.; 79; bn. S. C; res. 

DeSoto; 2-13-84; 14. 
Hughes, Wm.; 25; 2-29-84; Mar. 1. 
McEntee, James; 91; bn. Ireland; 3-8- 

84; 8. 
West, Mrs. Martha; 55; bn. Tenn.; 3- 

11-84; 12. 
Taylor, Mrs. Malinda; 73; bn. N. C; 

3-21-84; 23. 
Camp, Elizabeth; 35; res. DeSoto; 3- 

27-84; 28. 
Bernhard, Augustus; 35; bn. Germany; 

4-4-84; 5. 
West, Wm.; 67; bn. Tenn.; 4-19-84; 21. 
Trammell, Mrs. Elizabeth; 80; res. N 
Rome; 5-21-84; 22. 



Axson, Rev. Sm'l. E.; 48; 4-28-84; 30. 
Todd, Mrs. Augusta; 58; 6-10-84; 11. 
Smith, Tom M.; 36; 6-23-84; 24. 
Webb, Mrs. Blanche; 26; bn. N. Y.; 7- 

5-84; 6. 
Peter, Mrs. H. G.; 39; bn. Holland; 7- 

18-84; 19. 
Stokes, Mrs. Sallie; 42; 7-20-84; 21. 
Harris, John; 35; dd. concussion of 

brain; res. DeSoto; 7-24-84; 25, 
Sproull, Mrs. Fannie; 27; bn. and res. 

Bartow Co.; 8-14-84; 15. 
Crozier, G. W.; 36; bn. and res. W. Va.; 

8-23-84; 24. 
Knight, Job; 68; bn. England; 9-12-84; 

13. 
Griffin, Jerry; 25; bn. Pa.; res. Miss.; 

killed on railroad train, York, Miss.; 

9-13-84; 15. 
Franks, John; 58; bn. S. C. ; res. De- 
Soto; 9-21-84; 22. 
Denny, Mrs. R. B.; 56; bn. Pa.; 10-9- 

84; 11. 
Horn, Q. N. or I. N. ; 46; bn. Tenn.; 

res. Atlanta; 11-5-84; 7. 
Pentecost, Mrs. E. A.; 40; 11-11-84; 13. 
Hardwick, Mrs. M. A.; 37; res. Selma, 

Ala.; 11-26-84; 28. 
Wheeler, H. A.; 65; bn. Mo.; lived N. 

Y.; 12-20-84; 22. 
May, Mrs. Catherine; 12-26-84; 27. 

1885. 

Omberg, A. A.; 65; bn. Norway; 1-9- 

85; 10. 
Smith, Jacob H.; 75; bn. Vermont; 1- 

12-85; 13. 
Cheney, Mrs. M. L.; 58; 1-24-85; 26. 
Moffett, Wm.; 70; bn. Mexico; 1-28- 

85; 30. 
Panchen, Mrs. Gertie B.; 41; bn. Deca- 
tur, Ga.; dd. Atlanta; 2-7-85; 9. 
George, Mrs. Hannah; 34; bn. Ind.; 3-5- 

85; 7. 
Allen, Tim; 28; bn. Ala.; res. E. Rome; 

3-11-85; 12. 
Whitely, W. L.; 66; bn. Va.; 3-11-85; 

14. 
Glover, Cain; 57; bn. S. C; 3-17-85; 

20. 
Fouche, Simpson; 59; 4-1-85; 3. 
Young, J. S.; 58; bn. Ohio; res. E. 

Rome; 4-3-85; 4. 
Stoffregen. H. A.; 65; bn. Germany; 

res. Cedartown; 4-7-85; 9. 
Stewart, Mrs. Bettie; 37; bn. Va.; 4-15- 

85; 17. 
Hine, J. B.; 44; 4-20-85; 21. 
Ralston, James Emmett; 37; bn. Ills.; 

res. Chattanooga; 4-23-85; 24. 
Hardy, Mrs. Kate M.; 35; bn. Mo.; 4- 

28-85; 29. 
Stanbury, L.; 85; bn. N. C; 5-22-85; 

24. 
Smith, Dr. S. P.; 72; bn. Tenn.; dd. 

Floyd Co.; 5-23-85; 24. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



593 




FOUR BROTHERS OF THE "OLD SCHOOL." 

Left to right, Anderson Redding ("Red"), George Magruder, William Cephas and Dr. Henry 
Halsey Battey, well known to the hunting, business and professional world. 



Tracy, James; 44; 6-15-85; 16. 
Williams, Lillie P.; 30; res. Atlanta; 

7-13-85; 14. 
Rhodes, Mrs. Mary; 42; 8-9-85; 10. 
Proctor, Alice; 26; bn. Bartow Co.; res. 

S. Rome; 8-15-85; 17. 
Black, Belle M.; 38; bn. Ala.; res. 

Floyd Co.; 8-20-85; 21. 
Pennington. Cunningham M. ; 72; bn. 

S. C; res. S. Rome; 8-23-85; 24. 
Battey, Henry VanDyke; 3; 8-28-85; 

29. Later to Battey vault. 
Coulter, Mary, 15, and Vivian, 3; 
drowned in Coosa River; 9-6- 
85; 8. 
Lambert, Robt.; 75; bn. Ireland; 9-29- 

85; Oct. 1. 
Maxwell, Madison; 26; bn. Bartow Co.; 



lived Atlanta ; dd. fractured skull ; 9- 

25-85; 27. 
Westunter, Thos.; 58; bn. Ireland; res. 

S. Rome; 10-8-85; 9. 
Powers, Mrs. Julia A.; 45; bn. Ala.; 

11-17-85; 18. 
Ford, Oscar R.; 30; bn. Floyd Co.; res. 

Kans.; 11-16-85; 21. 
Hardy, S. G. ; 38; bn. Va.; 11-24-85; 
27. 

1886. 

Hoyt, Robt. T.; 50; bn. Athens; 1-3- 

86; 5. 
Wimberly, W. W.; 29; 1-5-86; 7. 
Almand, B. H.; 28; res. S. Rome; 1- 

11-86; 12. 
Morrison, John; 35; 1-15-86; 16. 



594 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Rice, Mrs. F. D.; 63; bn. McMinn Co., 

Tenn; 1-29-86; 30. 
Fouche, Miss Sally B.; 30; 2-16-86; 18. 
Omberg, Wm. L.; 30; 2-24-86; 26. 
King, Dr. Joshua; 62; bn. N. C; 3-1- 

86; 4. 
Smith, Caroline A.; 77 j bn. S. C; 3-9- 

86; 10. 
Wimpee, Mary L.; 30; bn. Ala.; 3-17- 

86; 19. 
Powell, Mrs. E. A. E.; 46; res. S. Rome; 

burned to death; 3-26-86; 27. 
Nowlin, Dr. James H.; 73; bn. Va.; 

4-12-86; 13. 
Jones, Walton H.; 71; bn. Ga.; dd. in- 
juries in railroad accident; 5-2- 

86; 4. 
Andrews, Mrs. L. E.; 50; bn. Ohio; 

res. Tenn; 5-13-86; 14. 
Caldwell, Mrs. J. M. M.; 63; bn. N. H.; 

6-9-86; 10. 
Beavers, T. R.; 28; bn. Texas; lived 

Chattanooga; 6-10-86; 11. 
Smith, Cicero A.; 51; bn. Morgan Co.; 

7-14-86; 15. 
Trammell, Wm. ; 82; bn. Lincoln Co.; 

res. Forrestville; 6-25-86; 26. 
MacKenzie, Mrs. Catherine; 83; bn. S. 

C; 7-8-86; 9. 
Fouche, Stella M. ; 19; bn. and res. 

Floyd Co.; 7-12-86; 13. 
Cheney, Paul; 21; 7-14-86; 16. 
Wimpee, Mrs. Mary C; 35; 4 wd.; 7- 

27-86; 28. 
Harbour, James M.; 24; 4 wd. ; 7-30- 

86; 31. 
Hardy, Dabney T.; 26; bn. Va.; 9-26- 

86; 28. 
McGlashan, Andrew; 64; bn. Scotland; 

10-6-86; 7. 
Savage, Florence A.; 38; bn. Rome: dd. 

Chicago; 11-6-86; 10. 
Buttel, August; 51; bn. Prussia; 11-16- 

86; 18. 
Wolff, Mrs. G. O.; 40; bn. Ala.; 11- 

21-86; 22. 
Sanders, Miss Nina; 26; bn. S. C; res. 
Charleston; 12-22-86; 24. 

1887. 

Printup, Col. Danl. S.; 64; bn. N. Y.; 

1-18-87; 19. 
Berry, Capt. Thos. ; 65; bn. Tenn.; 

1-18-87; 20. 
Mclntyre, James; 50; bn. Scotland; 

res. S. Rome; 2-4-87; 5. 
Wharton, Ann F.; 76; bn. Va.; 3-5- 
Stansburv, Mrs. D.; 84; bn. Tenn.; 

3-8-87; 9. 
Harvey, Judge R. D.; 60; dd. injuries 

runaway horse; 3-12-87; 13. 
Meakin, Mrs. Sophia; 50; res. Atlanta; 

4-23-87; 25. 
Wood, Mrs. Mary E.; 59; 5-15-87; 16. 



Clinard, A. D.; 57; bn. N. C; drown- 
ed; 4-27-87; May 1. 
Watters, Mrs. E. C; 58; 6-3-87; 4. 
Stansbury, Jas. L. ; 26; bn. Rome; dd. 

B'ham; 6-6-87; 7. 
Harris, Miss Callie V.; 18; bn. Tenn.; 

7-4-87; 5. 
Lamkin, Obedience C; 83; bn. N. C; 

res. E. Rome; 7-6-87; 7. 
Bailey, W. M.; 65; bn. N. C; 7-27- 

87; 28. 
Mapp, Mrs. S. A.: 71; 8-4-87; 5. 
Penny, Mrs. Jennie; 28; bn. Tenn.; 

res. Gadsden, Ala.; 8-20-87; 21. 
Printup, Col. Dan'l. S.; 64; bn. N. Y.; 

1-18-87; 19. 
Berry, Capt. Thos.; 65; bn. Tenn.; 1-18- 

87; 20. 
Pritchett, Mrs. S. J.; 43; bn. Ala.; 8- 

21-87; 22. 
Barker, Dr. Rufus; 75; res. Floyd Co.; 

8-30-87; 31. 
Williams. Mrs. Maria; 80; bn. N. C; 

9-6-87; 7. 
Conner, Eugene C; 22: bn. Rome; 

res. Chicago; 9-6-87; 9. 
Stillwell, Rev. Chas. H.; 82; bn. Sa- 
vannah; 9-10-87; 11. 
Sargent, J. H.; 56; bn. Vermont; 9- 

13-87; 14. 
Steele, Miss Sadie; bn. S. C; lived 

Chattooga Co.; 9-30-87; Oct. 1. 
Dempsey, Mrs. Edna; 53; bn. S. C; 11- 

23-87 • 24 
Hidle, Mrs. "Anna M.; 69; 11-30-87; 

Dec. 1. 
Neeld, Mrs. H. W.; 65; bn. Ills.; 12- 

4-87; 5. 
Warren, Sarah C; 49; bn. N. C; 12-19- 

87; 20. 

1888. 

Pressly, J. H. ; 58; bn. S. C; 1-9-88; 10. 
Lamberth, Jesse; 77; bn. Walton Co.; 

1-17-88; 18. 
Bones, Miss Marion M.; bn. Augusta; 

res. Rome; 3-6-88; 9. 
Benjamin, Forrest; 29; 4-4-88; 5. 
Hood. Donald Mack; 63; bn. Tenn.; 

4_7.88 • 8 

Harrison,' John; 48; bn. N. Y.; 4-12- 

87; 13. 
Gough, Rosanna; 47; res. S. Rome; 5- 

14-88; 14. 
Dodson. Mrs.; 65; bn. S. C; 5-20-88; 21 
Mitchell, Alden; 20; bn. La.; res. N. 

O.; accidentally killed on bridge; 6- 

16-88; 17. 
Stillwell, Mrs. Mary; 70; 7-3-88; 4. 
Hartman, L. R.; 61; bn. Md.; res. Ills. 

7-10-88; 11. 
Buffington, Jno. W.; 16; res. N. Rome 

7-15-88; 16. 
Underwood, Jno. W. H.; 71; 7-18-88 

30. 





'-wyikuuU.t4jJL^ 



* t 



596 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Burch, Mary J.; 70; bn. N. C; res. 

Gordon Co. ; 7-22-88 ; 23. 
Omberg', Albin; 40; bn. Norway; 7-31- 

88; Aug. 1. 
Gwaltney, Lizzie S.; 20; bn. S. C; 8-3- 

88; 5. 
Wimpee, Sarah; 76; bn. S. C; 8-5- 

88; 7. 
Walker, L. V. A., Jr.; 26; killed by 

lightning; 8-9-88; 10. 
Wardlaw, Wm. H. ; 36; 8-29-88; 30. 
Ayer, Nellie; 26; bn. S. C; 9-4-88; 5. 
Hall, A. J.; 27; res. Ala.; 9-5-88; 8. 
Peter, H. G.; 66; bn. Germany; 9-16- 

88; 18. 
Burnett, Elizabeth A.; 51; bn. Ala.; 

9-26-88; 28. 
Fort, Eudocia; 65; res. S. Rome; 9- 

28-88; 30. 
Robison, Mrs. W. F.; 45; Floyd Co.; 

10-3-88; 4. 
Clement, Mrs. W. A.; 73; bn. Va.; 10- 

21-88; 22. 
Jones, Wm. Hemphill; 11-88. 
Dailey, J. G.; 64; bn. Ireland; 11-26- 

88; 28. 
Wood, I. J.; 73; bn. S. C; 12-3-88; 4. 
Vandiver, J. T.; 39; bn. Ala.: 12-3- 

88; 5. 
Battey, Lucie Stollenwerck; 30; bn. 

Ala.; 12-30-88; Jan. 1. 

1889. 

Eastman, E. M.; 55; bn. Ohio; 1-2- 

89; 3. 
Lampkin, Frances R. ; 44; bn. Ala.; 

1-7-89; 9. 
Lancaster, Lula; 22; res. Augusta; 1- 

9-89; 11. 
Branham, Mrs. Joel; 45; 1-13-89; 14. 
Neal, Mrs. Mary Octavia; 53; 1-15- 

89; 17. 
Smith, Mrs. Emily W.; 77; 1-16-89; 17. 
Cuyler, Thos.; 41; 1-17-89; 18. 
Johnson, Mrs. Willie; 33; bn. S. C; 

1-17-89; 18. 
Gregory, Dr. Jas. M.; 65; bn. Va.; 1- 

31-89; Feb. 2. 
Stillwell, Clarence; 18; res. Cave Spg.; 

bn. Rome; 2-8-89; 9. 
Lee, Joe; 62; bn. China; murdered; 2- 

9-89; 11. 
Hardin, A. T.; 78; 2-20-89; 21. 
Logan, E. G. ; 71; bn. N. C; res. Gads- 
den, Ala.; 2-24-89; 25. 
Robinson, F. P.; 33; res. Anniston, 

Ala.; 3-4-89; 4. 
Graham, John; bn. S. C. ; res. Floyd 

Co.; 3-8-89; 10. 
Watters, Thos. G.; 71; bn. Ala.; 3-7- 

89; 9. 
Johnson, Euclid; 53; bn. Ala.; 3-10- 

89; 11. 
Martin. J. N.; 54; bn. Va.; res. Chat- 
tooga Co.; 3-23-89; 26. 
Smith, H. M., Jr.; 4-22-89; 23. 



Harrison, Martha A.; 56; res. Floyd 
Co.; 3-29-89; 31. 

Dozier, Thos. H.; 81; res. S. Rome; 
4-5-89; 6. 

Carlin, A. J.; 59; bn. Ills.; 4-28-89; 29. 

Sprayberry, Mary; 17; bn. Ala.; res. 
Floyd Co.; 5-17-89; 18. 

Mills, Julia Q.; 41; bn. La.; res. At- 
lanta; 5-20-89; 21. 

Lyon, Henry; 19; bn. Ala.; crushed 
on railroad; 5-29-89; 1. 

Autrey, Mary L.; 76; 6-2-89; 4 P. 

Moore, Fannie S.; 40; bn. Fla.; 6-15- 
89; 16. 

Howel, Hudon; 8; accidental drown- 
ing; 6-17-89; 18. 

Ivey. Jno. T.; 60; res. E. Rome; 6-24- 
89 * 25 

Wortham," J. T.; 31; 7-2-89; 3. 

Rhudy, S. G.; 64; bn. Va.; 7-23-89; 24. 

Coats, W. J.; 53; bn. S. C; res. E. 
Rome; 7-27-89; 28 P. 

Graves, Mattie S.; 33; 8-12-89; 13. 

Ensley, Matilda; 75; bn. Pa.; res. 
Floyd Co.; 8-18-89; 19. 

Rhudy, Rachel A.; 56; 8-28-89; 29. 

Townsley, Fannie; 21; bn. Tenn. ; 9-2- 
89 • 3 

Lamki'n, G. W. F.; 89; bn. N. C; res. 
E. Rome; 9-4-89; 6. 

Elliott, Lillie; 31; bn. Miss.; res. Rnd. 
Mt., Ala.; 9-30-89; 1. 

Roebuck, Willis; 86; bn. S. C; 10-16- 
89; 17. 

Sproull, C. M.; 31; bn. S. C; killed on 
railroad; 10-5-89; 6. 

DeGraffenried, Mrs. L. T.; 77; bn. S. 
C; res. Decatur, Ga.; dd. Decatur, 
6-30-80; removed to Rome 11-6-89. 

Dailey, S. A.; 62; 11-13-89; 14. 

Lansdell, Edward; 16; accidental shoot- 
ing; 11-27-89; 29. 

Pritchett, Wm.; 31; 12-25-89; 27. 

1890. 

McCaffrey, Mrs. C. A. (M. E.) ; 27; 

bn. Ala.; 1-14-90; 15. 
Billbro, Harriet A.; 66; bn. N. C; res. 

Forrestville; 2-7-90; 9. 
Marion, Mrs. Lena; 77; res. Floyd 

Co.; 2-17-90; 19. 
Willingham, Harriet R. ; 65 ; res. W. 

Rome; 3-6-90; 8. 
Reynolds, Mrs. C. J.; 63; res. E. Rome; 

4-2-90; 3. 
Mitchell, W. H.; 70; res. Floyd Co.; 

4-9-90; 11. 
Bowen, Mrs. Elizabeth A.; 85; bn. Va. 
Coleman, Jno. H. ; 49; bn. Tenn.; 5-6- 

90; 7. 
McDonald, Mrs. Theresa; 64; res. At- 
lanta; 5-11-90; 13. 
Word, Thos. Jefferson, M. D.; 64; 5- 

31-90; 31. 
Brown, Sallie; 36; bn. Tenn.; 6-10- 

90; 11. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



597 



Cantrell. Julia E.; 28; 6-30-90; 1. 

Bass, Julia F.; 29; 7-5-90; 6. 

Bass, Jno. Hix; 48; res. Floyd Co.; 7- 

11-90; 13. 
Shanklin, Rachel I.; 44; bn. Miss.; 7- 

13-90; 14. 
Ross, Adolphus E.; 58; 7-25-90; 27. 
Taylor, Geo. J.; 48; bn. Ala.; res. E. 

Rome; killed on railroad; 8-13-90; 

15. 
Donkle, Isaac; 59; bn. Pa.; res. Atlan- 
ta; 8-22-90; 23. 
Webber, Jos.; 44; bn. Germany; killed; 

9-4-90; 6. 
Bass, N. H., Sr.; 82; res. Floyd Co.; 

9-22-90; 24. 
Wimpee, Mrs. M. A.; 55; poisoned; 

10-5-90; 6. 
Gwaltney, L. R., Jr.; 18; 10-14-90; 18. 
Holmes, Dr. G. W. ; 66; 11-3-90; 5. 
Lamkin, G. W. F., Jr.; 62; bn. N. C; 

11-10-90; 12. 
Ayer, Mrs. Lavinia; 55; bn. S. C; res. 

Floyd Co.; 12-18-90; 20. 
Meredith, Hugh; 78; res. Floyd Co.; 

12-25-90; 26. 

1891. 

Anderson, Lars; 65; bn. Denmark; 1- 

5-91; 6. 
Schirmer, Mrs. F. M.; 44; res. Kansas 

City, Mo.; 1-6-91; 8. 
Pepper, E. G.; 64; 1-17-91; 18. 
Snyder, Mrs. Ida U.; 39; res. Texas; 

murdered; 1-25-91; 30. 
Hull, Frank; 19; bn. Ala.; res. B'ham; 

accidental death; 2-24-91; 25. 
Jenkins, J. M.; 51; 2-25-91; 27. 
Wright, Augustus R. ; 78; res. Floyd 

Co.; 3-31-91; Apr. 2. 
Willingham, Eugenia; 45; bn. Ala.; res. 

W. Rome; 4-8-91; 9. 
Williams, W. T.; 65; bn. Ind.; res. 

Floyd Co.; 4-15-91; 16. 
Cothran, H. D.; 51; bn. S. C; res. E. 

Rome; 6-2-91; 3. 
Holmes, Dr. T. M.; res. E. Rome; 6- 

18-91; 19. 
Freeman, Mrs. M. A.; 58; res. Floyd 

Co.; 6-19-91; 20. 
Clark, Mrs. S. A.; 48; res. E. Rome; 

6-24-91; 26. 
McKenzie, Mrs. Parmelia; 81; bn. N. 

C; res. E. Rome; 6-25-91; 27. 
Ayer, H. C; 38; res. Floyd Co.; 7-17- 

91; 18. 
Nixon, R. P.; 49; bn. Va.; 6-25-91; 5. 
Harvey, Henry; 21; res. E. Rome; 

drowned; 7-25-91; 26. 
Kane, Mrs. Mary S.; 55; bn. Ireland; 

8.8-91 ■ 9 
Morton, Mrs. Delia J.; 52; 9-7-91; 9. 
Wingfield. J. S.; 39; res. Floyd Co.; 

9-16-91; 18. 
Carey, Mrs. Alice; 38; bn. Conn.; 9- 

22-91; 23. 



Hawkins, Mrs. A. P.; 55; 9-25-91; 26. 
Sheppard, H. K.; 45; bn. Ireland; res. 

Ohio; 9-27-91; 28. 
Lindsey, John; 20; bn, Ala.; res. E. 

Rome; 10-5-91; 6. 
Hoyt, Annie; 18; 10-14-91; 15. 
Allee, A. J.; 43; bn. Pa.; 10-21-91; 22. 
Yancey, B. C; 74; bn. S. C; res. E. 

Rome; 10-24-91; 25, 
Rowell, Annie Lou; 16; 11-4-91; 6. 
Mills, Frank A,; 50; bn. La.; 12-3- 

91* 4. 
George, Mary; 75; bn. N. Y.; 12-10- 

91; 11, 
Brooks, Martha; 59; 12-25-91; 26. 
Hill, Jane; 43; bn. Ky. ; 12-24-91; 26. 
Adkins, M. L.; 70; bn. N. Y,; 12-25- 

91; 27. 

1892. 

Yeiser, V. A.; 26; 1-2-92; 3. 

Hall, Fenton; 79; bn. S. C; res. B'ham; 
1-7-92* 9. 

Fort, Wm. A.; 79; 1-13-92; 16. 

Willingham, John; 25; res. W. Rome; 
1-14-92; 15. 

Dick, Sarah; 72; bn. Tenn.; res. Ma- 
rietta; 1-18-92; 19. 

Reeves, Elizabeth; 89; 1-19-92; 20. 

Irwin, Mrs. E. A.; 72; bn. S, C; 1-25- 
92; 26. 

Geer, Mrs, Irene G.; 71; 1-29-92; 30, 

Hall, Mrs. Sarah; 85; bn. S, C; 1-31- 
92; 2. 

Spears, J, L. ; 31; res. LaGrange; 2-1- 
92; 4. 

Dempler, L. ; 75; bn. Germany; res, 
Floyd Co,; 2-5-92; 7, 

Quinn, Mrs. Mary; 72; bn, N, C; 2- 
6-92; 8. 

McCaffrey, Mrs. J.; 37; bn. Pa.; 2-14- 
92; 17. 

Hughes, John; 65; bn. Wales; res, W. 
Rome; 2-20-92; 2. 

Underwood, Mrs. M. A.; 68; 2-25-92; 28. 

Magruder, E. J,; 56; bn. Va. ; 2-26- 
92" 27. 

Roser' Mrs. P. D.; 55; bn. Va.; 3-7- 
92; 8, 

Graves, Marl L.; 75; bn. N. C; res. 
Ala.; 3-20-92; 22. 

Butler, Elizabeth A.; 78; res, Atlan- 
ta; 4-30-92; 6. 

Spullock, Mrs, E, A.; 65; 5-14-92; 17. 

Elam, W. D.; 76; res. B'ham, Ala.; 6- 
26-92 • 27. 

Gibbons, 'Sam'l.; 25; 7-5-92; 5. 

Norton, H. C; 46; 7-8-92; 10. 

Wimpee, W. M. ; 81; 8-2-92; 3. 

Mitchell, Dr. R. V.; 58; 8-9-92; 11. 

Pitner, Mrs. Albert G.; 72; 8-12-92; 14. 

Wingfield, Judson, 22; res. Texas; 8- 
28-92 • 1. 

Aver, Mrs. E. W.; 78; 9-9-92; 10. 

Caldwell. J. M. M.; 80; res. Frank- 
lin, Ky.; 9-21-92; 23. 



598 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Towers, Robt. II.; 32; res. B'ham; 9-27- 

92; 28. 
Yancey, Mrs. B. C; 72; res. Augusta; 

10-2-92 • 3. 
Johnson, E. V.; 48; 10-12-92; 12. 
Govan, Mrs. M. F.; 48; 11-5-92; 7. 
Robinson, Mrs. Mary; 83; 12-7-92; 7. 
Neely, Prof. Benj.; 58; 12-20-92; 20. 

1893. 

Thomas, Mrs. Mary; 65; 1-6-93; 8. 
Henley, John H.; 30; 1-18-93. 
Linton, Mrs. Annie; 68; B'ham. 
Shanklin, Fletcher; 19; 7-14-93; 18. 
Printup, Henry; 70; 7-20-93; 22. 
Shanklin, Col. J. F.; 57; 7-20-93; 22. 
Denny, Mrs. R. A.; 35; 8-12-93; 15. 
Stansbury, Capt. Jas. A.; 59; 9-20- 

93; 21. 
Meredith, James; 73; 12-27-93; 28. 

1894. 

DeJournett, Mrs. Mary; 78; 1-2-94; 2. 

Carroll, Mrs. Thos.; 54; 1-6-94; 7. 

Miller, Mrs. H. V. M.; 76; res. Atlan- 
ta* 1-9-94" 9. 

Powers, Dr. S. F. dd. 1-13-94. 

Schirmer, N. R.; 60; res. Kansas City, 
Mo.; 1-26-94; 28. 

Smith, Charlie; 63; 4-2-94; 3. 

Ingram, C. J. M.; 4-27-94; 27. 

Sproull, Mrs. C. W.; 61; 6-12-94; 12. 

Dick, Hal; 43; res. Atlanta; dd. 9-94. 

1895, 

Cothran, Bessie; 17; 1-1-95. 

Fouche, Mrs. S. E.; 77; 2-3-95. 

Sawrie, Mrs.; 84; 3-4-95; 5. 

Yeiser, Col. J. G.; 69; dd. 3-7-95. 

Howel, T. F.; 50; 3-18-95. 

Wardlaw, J. M.; 73; dd. from a fall; 4- 
21-95; 22. 

Sparks, Mrs. Ann; 63; dd. 5-4-95. 

Mills, C. M.; 73; 6-4-95; 6. 

Stillwell, C. Oliver; 61; 6-15-95. 

Black, Mrs. Jno. J.; 6-28-95. 

Wood, J. C; 71; 7-18-95. 

Clark, Miss Rosa; 7-29-95. 

Vandiver, James; 10; 9-28-95. 

Thompson, W. F.; 29; killed by rail- 
road; 10-25-95; 26. 

Battey, Dr. Robt.; 11-8-95; 10; in Bat- 
tey vault. 

Ramey, Wm.; 11-29-95. 

Alexander, Mrs. T. W.; 12-95. 

Nevin, M. A.; 54; 12-15-95. 

1896. 

Rhudy. Mrs. Amy; 89; 1-8-96. 
Walton, Miss Ruth; 21; 1-27-96. 
Perkins, Jno. N.; 82; Feb. 96. 
Pepper, Mrs. M. M.; 50; March, 96. 
Pepper, M. M.; 42; 3-29-96. 
Miller, Dr. H. V. M.; 84; 6-8-96. 
Cothran, Mrs. Wade S.; 40; June, 96. 



Freeman, Col. Jno. R.; 84; 6-15-96. 
King, Mrs.; 55; 7-21-96. 
Black, Jno. J.; 55; 7-21-96. 
Jenkins, John; 52; 8-2-96. 
Hidell, Miss; 22; 8-7-96. 
Reynolds, W. B.; 43; 8-22-96. 
Armstrong, R. T.; 43; 8-22-96, 
Chidsey, Mrs. Geo. F.; 9-1-96. 
Gwaltney, Rob.; 11-19-96. 
Graves, Col. Chas. I.; 59; 11-1-96, 

1897. 

Moore, J. C; 73; 2-27-97. 
Norton, Reuben S.; 80; 4-4-97, 
Wilkerson, R. T.; 60; 5-15-97. 
Foster, W. P.; 41; 6-1-97, 
Mitchell, Luke; 64; 7-2-97. 
Jeffries, Dr. F. M.; 64; 8-2-97, 
Freeman, Maj. Frank M.; 59; bn. Jones 
Co.; res. Floyd Co.; 9-18-97; 19. 
George, Junius A.; 52; 9-28-97, 
Quinn, Jno. M.; 77; 10-15-97. 
Lansdell, Chas.; 23; 10-25-97. 
Gammon, Von Albade; 18; 11-1-97. 
Beard, James; 77; 11-17-97. 
Roser, P. D.; 62; 11-25-97. 
Turnley, Geo. P.; 35; accident; 12-25- 

97; 26. 
Connor, Miss Virginia; 52; 12-31- 

97; 1. 

1898. 

Perry, Mrs. Jos.; 35; 1-4-98; 5. 
Nixon, Dr. W. C; 49; Ridge Valley; 

1-13-98; 14. 
Gammon, Chas. A.; 39; res. Anniston; 

1-21-98; 22. 
Sullivan, Mrs. Mary; 83; 1-24-98; 25. 
Garrard, A. O.; 61; 2-8-98; 9. 
Talley, G. T.; 54; 2-15-98; 16. 
Caldwell, Mrs. S. C; 51; bn. N. C; 

3-18-98 ■ 20 
Franks. Miss Eugene; 34; 3-19-98; 20. 
Hills. Wm. S.; 59; res. Charleston, S. 

C; 3-26-98; 30; put in Battey vault, 

6-26-02; removed to Detroit, Mich. 
Hardin, P. H.; 74; 4-3-98; 6. 
Hall, Jno. H.; 51; Lock 3. Ala.; 4-23- 

98; 25. 
Morris, Wm., Margaret H., Sam, Frank, 

Clifford and infant of Wm. and 

Margaret Morris, and Minnie and 

Kate McKenzie; 8 bodies moved 

from Pleasant Valley to Myrtle 

Hill; 4-28-98. 
Cothran. Hugh; 6 1-2; 5-10-98; 10. 
Hume. Mrs. Mary W.; 59; 6-7-98; 8. 
Rowell, Miss Fanny U.; 21; 6-10-98; 11. 
Prather, John Q.; 47; res. Stone Mt.; 

6-10-98; 11. 
Hand, Mrs. Thos. O.; 37; 6-26-98; 27. 
Montgomery, Mrs. Col. A. B.; 45; bd. 

7-16-98. 
Reynolds. L. B.; 29; Reynolds, Bend.; 
accidental gunshot at Chickamau- 
ga; 24; 7-23-98. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



599 




SIX OTHER PEEKS AT CAVE SPRING. 



Top. the Harper lot containing Major Arn^^ste^^ ^i^^!"^ 

whose shaft is seen at the right; tomb "* ^lexander i no F , ^^^^ because 

of A. T. Harper, II. 



600 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Graham, Mrs. Jno. M.; 21; 7-24-98; 25. 
Hiles, Mrs. Thompson; 56; 7-26-98; 28. 
Harper, Alfred Shorter; 30; 7-27-98; 

28 
Ellis, E. F.; 19; Co. D, 3rd Ga. Inf., U. 

S. v., dd. typhoid fever, Griffin; 

9-3-98 ■ 5. 
Reag-in, Miss Carry; 73; 3 Wd.; 10-9- 

98; 10; bd. Old Cemetery. 
Flemister, Robt. ; 67; res. E. Rome; 

11-21-98; 22. 
Hargrove, R. T.; 63; dd. at Kingston; 

12-15-98; 16; put in Battey vault; 

removed from vault and interred, 

5-23-03. 

1899. 

Meaks, Mrs. S. J.; 64; 101 Main St.. 

Atlanta; 1-2-99; 5. 
Epperson, Mrs. Mary; 66; Cave Sprg. ; 

1-19-99; 20. 
Wildsmith, Arthur; res. Missionary 

Ridge, Walker Co.; 2-7-99; 9. 
Wright, Seaborn, Jr.; 7; 2-21-99. 
Fenner, Dr. W. R.; 54; 2-26-99; 28. 
Fouche. Mrs. Dora Ross; 38; 3-8-99; 9. 
Dozier, Martha S.; 84; B'ham, Ala.; 

3-22-99; 24. 
Todd, Isaac L.; 5-1-99; 2. 
Beard, H. A. J.; 51; 4 Wd.; 5-3-99; 5. 

Powell, Mrs. J. C; 54; 5 Wd.; 5-13- 
99- 14. 

Woodruff, Capt. F.; 86; 2 Ave.; 4-13" 

99; 15. 
Hudgins, Mrs. C. Buckner; 41; 5-15- 

99; 16. 
Miller, Mrs. Rachel; 58; disinterred at 

Eve Sta. and moved to Rome, 5-19-99. 
Elliott, Capt. J. M., Sr.; 74; Ala.; 5-28- 

99* 30. 
Arrington, Mrs. H. H.; 32; 5-29-99; 30. 
Quinn, Mrs. J. M.; 66; 6-2-99; 2. 
Morrison, Robt. B.; 47; N. Rome; 6-2- 

99- 4. 
Martin. Mrs. Ella; 81; N. Rome; 6-15- 

99. 17. 

Dean,' Mrs. Eve S.; 28; 3 Ave.; 6-18- 

99. 
Kane.'Wm. P.; 33; 5 Wd.; 7-4-99; 5. 
Hamilton, Mrs. A. S.; 32; lived Trion; 

dd. Atlanta; 7-15-99; 16. 
Alexander, I. W.; 78; E. Rome; 7- 

29-99 • 12 

Cook, J. 'e.;'67; 2 Wd.; 9-22-99; 22. 
McClure, Samuel S.; 44; 10-6-99; 8. 
King, Samuel S.; 44; 10-6-99; 8. 
Wyatt, W. R.; 57; 11-19-99; 21. 
Crozier. Mrs. Henry; 39; E. Rome; 12- 
17-99; 18. 

1900. 

Gibson, Andrew; 75; Mobley Springs; 

1-4-00; 5. 
McNulty, Mrs. A. D.; Brunswick; 2- 

4-00'; 6. 
Norton, W, F.; 1 Wd.; 2-16-00; 18. 



Marshall, Dr. E. B., Jr.; 28; Cedar- 
town; 2-6-00; 7. 
Sims, Mrs. Rebecca; 77; Floyd Co.; 

3-21-00" 22. 
Clark, Capt. Reuben G.; 67; 3-28- 

00; 30. 
Gunn, Donald G.; 21; Effingham, Ills.; 

4-15-00; 17. 
Helm, Mrs. Rosa Hardin; 45; 4-21-00; 

22; Old Cemetery. 
Cook, Mrs. Lucindy; 68; 3 Wd.; 4-21- 

00; 22. 
George, Mrs. J. B.; 60; 1 Wd.; 4-22- 

00; 23. 
Harper, H. C; 63; E. Rome; 5-13- 

00; 14. 
Pitner, Albert G.; 41; 3 Wd.; 5-14-00; 

15. 
Byrd, Mrs. Philip G.; 38; 3 Wd.; 5-17- 

00; 18. 
Stanton, Mrs. Edwin; 29; 3 Wd.; 5-31- 

00; June 2. 
Willcox, Warren Palmer; 59; dd. Park 

Ave. Hotel, N. Y. ; 6-18-00; placed 
in Battey vault, 21; removed to 
Branham addition 7-20-00. 
Wingfield, Mary E.; 74; Atlanta; 7-7- 

00; 8. 
Mathis, Mary C; 67; 5 Wd.; 9-13- 

00; 15. 
Simpson, Mrs. M. A.; 77; Floyd Co.; 

8-2-00; 3. 
Gammon, Wm. G.; 18; railroad acci- 
dent Cartersville; 8-17-00; 19. 
Bass, Mrs. Caroline; 88; 4 Wd.; 8-28- 

00; 29. 
Ivey, Mrs. Mary J.; 75; E. Rome; 8- 

29-00; 30. 
Goetchius, Rev. Geo. T.; 54; 8-31-00; 

Sept. 2. 
McConnell, J. P.; 55; Mobley Spgs; 8- 

20-00; 22. 
Cruise, Mrs. H. B.; 22; Atlanta; 8-29- 

00; 30. 
Lester, Annie M.; 38; 2 Wd.; 10-17- 

00; 18. 
Cutter, Mrs. M. N.; 76; Floyd Co.; 

burned to death; 11-3-00; 4. 
Byars, Zack; 44; 11-19-00; 20. 
Bale, J. A.; 73; accidental fall; 12- 
15-00; 17 to Battey vault; removed 
19. 

1901. 

Lamkin, J. B. F.; E. Rome; 2-12-01; 

13. 
Nevin, Mrs. Jas. B.; 3-7-01; 9. 
Sharp, Mrs. Myra A.; 55; 4 Wd.; 3- 

11-01; 13. 
Arrington, Jas. J.; 22; Summerville; 

shot; 4-9-01; 10. 
Lumpkin, Fred; 16; 5 Wd.; drowned 

Silver creek: 4-13-01; 14. 
Harper, Mrs. Fannie; 28; B'ham; 4- 

15-01; 17. 
DeMooney, Geo.; 101; Boozville, Floyd 

Co.; 4-20-01; 22. 




€--^'^P?'^^'^^'Ct^^ 



602 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Ross, Miss Imogene; 46; 5-3-01; 7. 
King, Mrs. Fannie J.; 48; 4 Wd.; ba- 
nana ice cream poisoning; 5-11-01; 

12. 
Wimpee, Mrs. H. H.; 49; 5 Wd.; 5-19- 

01; 20. 
Watters, J. B.; 52; 4 Wd.; 5-30-01; 31. 
Stewart, Mrs. Virgil A.; 65; 6-27-01; 

put in Battey vault 30, and removed 

8-4-01. 
Todd, Clarence; 52; 7-11-01; 12. 
Connallv, Mrs. R. T.; 40; Rockmart; 

7-13-01; 14. 
McLin, Clifton; 18; 8-7-01; 8. 
Funkhouser, Saml.; 53; 8-7-01; 10. 
Smith, Halstead, Jr.; 29; Cleburne, 

Texas; 8-16-01; 21. 
Black, Eugene; 40; 8-22-01; 23. 
Turnlev, Dr. P. L.; 71; 9-10-01; 11. 
Lindsev, Mrs. M. C; 53; E. Rome; 9- 

18-01; 19. 
Crouch, Dr. J. T.; 44; 11-21.01; 22. 
Wvly, Mrs. Josephine; 66; 12-8-01; 9. 
Sproull, C. Wm.; 82; Anniston; 12-25- 

01; 26. 
McCrarv, C. F.; 59; 4 Wd.; 12-31- 

01; 2. 

1902. 

Tracy, Frank; 45; Oostanaula, Gordon 

Co.; killed in railroad collision; 1- 

12-02; 14 . 
Smith, Fletcher; 45; 4 Wd.; 1-15-02; 

17. 
Scott, Thos. W.; 43; 3 Wd.; 1-29-02; 30. 
Wells, Henry E.; New Orleans; yellow 

fever; 1-13-97; 1-31-02. 
Gregory, Mrs. Mary Choice; 70; 1 Wd.; 

2-10-02; 11. 
Carver, Mrs. Beulah M.; 48; 2-16-02; 

18. 
Hood, Frances H.; 80; 2-17-02; 18. 
Hamilton, Joe; 32; 3-25-02; 26. 
Lanham, Mrs. E. J.; 69; 4-7-02; 7. 
Wyly, A. C; 63; K. C, Mo.; 5-5-92; 4- 

16-02. 
Spence, Wm. ; 81; 2 Wd.; 4-12-02; 13. 
McEntyre, Jas. J.; 40; New Decatur, 

Ala.; 5-23-02; 24. 
Banks, Miss Lizzie; 42; dd. Battey 

Inf.; 4-24-02. 
Clinard, Mrs. M. A.; 65; Cave Spg.; 

4-26-02; 27. 
King, C. L.; dd. 5-25-02; 5-16-02; 17; 

Battey vault. 
Garrison, Georgia Harvey; 19; Colum- 
bia, S. C. ; 5-29-02; in Battey vault; 

6-1-02; removed 11-3-02. 
Green, C. K.; 59; 5 Wd.; 6-8-02; 8. 
Lester, Bannester S.; 72; 6-9-02; 11. 
Brett, Mrs. Catherine R.; 54; 2 Wd.; 

7-12-02 • 13. 
Griffin, A.' E.; 70; 4 Wd.; 7-17-02; 18. 
Camp, Mrs. J. L.; 2 Wd.; 8-15-02; 10. 
Jeffries, Andrew J.; 25; B'ham; 11-10- 

02; 11. 



Nevin, Mrs. Mitchell A.; 62; 11-11-02; 

13. 
Allen, Geo. M.; 34; Tallapoosa; 11-26- 
02; 28. 

1903. 
Magruder, Mrs. Annie P.; 30; 1 Wd.; 

1-22-03* 23. 
Hull, B. f!; 70; Floyd Co.; 2-1-03; 2. 
Lumpkin, Mrs. J. H.; 66; 1 Wd.; 1-1- 

03; 3. 
Lumpkin, J. H.; 66; 2-18-03; 19. 
Johnson, Nellie Gough; 36; Columbus, 

Miss.; 2-25-03; 27. 
Hert, Mrs. A. F.; 71; Gordon Co.; 

accidental fall; 4-16-03; Nov. 16. 
Turnbull, Judge Waller T. ; 42; 5-6-03; 

8; in Battey vault; buried May 23. 
Pitner, George; 18; Selma, Ala.; 5-27- 

03; 29. 
Sanders, Wm.; 45; England; killed by 

C. of G. train; 6-11-03; 11. 
Patton, Maj. Wm. A.; 35; E. Rome; 

6-18-03; 19. 
Carver, Mrs. Jennie J.; 48; Carters- 

ville, Ga.; 7-1-03; 2. 
Wright. W. A.; 65; 3 Wd.; 7-24-03; 25. 
Rollins, (Rawlins), Mrs. Catherine; 81; 

Cleveland, O.; 8-16-03; 18. 
O'Rear, Jno. C; 41; 5 Wd.; 9-11-03; 12. 
Maddox, Agnes; 22; 2 Wd.; 10-27-03; 

28. 
Spiegelberg, Mrs. M.; 63; 2 Wd. 10- 

31-03; 1. 
Rowell, Capt. Christopher; 68; 11-4- 

03; 6. 
Huffaker. N. J.; 73; Floyd Co.; 11- 

12-03' 13. 
O'Rear, Mrs.' S. A. F.; 76; 2 Wd.; bd. 

12-3-03. 
Stafford, Mrs.; 3 Wd.; 12-19-03; 21; 

in Battey vault; bd. 9-27-04. 

1904. 

Ewing, Mrs. J. W.; 55; Floyd Co.; bd. 

1-4-04. 
Hardin, J. S.; 58; 2 Wd.; bd. 1-10-04. 
Norton, Mrs. Jane A.; 75; Grand Is- 
land, Neb.; 1-8-04; 11. 
McClure. H.; 48; 2 Wd.; 1-14-04; 17. 
Kane, Frank; 69; 5 Wd.; 1-25-04; 26. 
Park, Mrs. N. D.; 84; Chattanooga, 

Tenn.; 1-25-04; 26. 
Montgomery, Col. A. B.; 2-2-04; 3. 
Brower, Jno. LeFoy; 26; Cedar Rapids, 

Iowa; 2-6-04; 8. 
Johnson, Mrs. Mary E.; 63; Atlanta; 

2-12-04; 13. 
Mitchell, Mrs.; 32; 4 Wd.; 2-21-04; 22. 
O'Bear, R. H.; 82; 5 Wd.; 2-29-04; 1. 
Harper, Foster; 55; bd. 4-4-04. 
Battey, Anderson Redding; dd. 4-9-04; 

Battey vault; 10. 
Hiles, Will W.; 30; 2 Wd.; 4-11-04; 12. 
Hancock, Mrs.; 82; 2 Wd.; bd. 5-5-04. 
Helm, Capt. Thos. J.; 63; 2 Wd.; 5-17- 

04; 18; Old Cemetery. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



603 







m. 



A GROUP OF SUBSTANTIAL BUILDINGS. 

At top, the Government postoffice, southwest corner of Fourth Avenue and East First 
Street; the Masonic Temple and annex (west of and adjoining postoffice), which for many 
years has been the home of Cherokee Lodge No. 66 of Masons; the Medical Building, north- 
east corner of Broad Street and Third Avenue, and adjoining it, the Third Avenue Hotel. 



King, Jack; 52; 3 Wd.; 5-27-04; 28. 
Berrien, Mrs. M. L.; 73; 2 Wd.; 5-29- 

04; 31. 
JeflFries, T. F.; 77; Floyd Co.; killed 

by horse in Rounsaville stable; 6-5- 

04; 7. 
Printup. Mrs. Dan'l. S.; 73; I Wd.; 6- 

21-04; 23. 
Ayer, Wm. Franklin; 74; 3 Wd. ; 6- 

21-04; 23. 



Mitchell Mrs. Laura; 44; 4 Wd.; 7- 

28-04 • 29. 
Townes/Miss Ida; 4 Wd.; 1-29-04; 30. 
Antog-noli, Peter; 52; 2 Wd.; 8-9-04. 

10. 
O'Rear, G. W.; 86; 2 Wd.; 8-19-04; 21. 
Adkins, Henry; 30; B'ham; 8-22-04; 23. 
Gwaltney, Robt. J.; 35; 2 Wd.; 8-30-04; 

31. 
TigTier, J. A.; 76; 2 Wd.; 10-26-04; 28. 



604 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Gammon, Mrs. J. A.; 50; 11-1-04; 2. 
Ayer, Thos.; E. Rome; 11-3-04; 4. 
King, Capt. John B.; 54; Macon; 11-14- 

04; 16, Battey vault. 
Ford, I. Dave; 76; 3 Wd.; 12-24-04; 25. 
Coulter, Nelson H.; 32; dd. Asheville, 
N. C; 12-23-04; 28. 

1905. 

Garrard, Clarence A.; 35; 2 Wd.; 1- 

2-05; 4. 
Freeman, Dr. E. B.; 74; E. Rome; 1-5- 

05; 7. 
Orr, Robt. F.; 67; 5 Wd.; 1-5-05; 7. 
Benjamin, Frank Julian; 83; 1 Wd. 

1-9-05; 10. 
Ellis, Jos. L.; 74; Atlanta; 1-16-05 

19. 
Rice, Mrs. M. A. E.; 88; Floyd Co. 

1-26-05; 27. 
Ross, A. F.; 52; 3 Wd.; 1-30-05; 31. 
Sargeant, Mrs. Mary Jane; 68; St. 

Louis; 2-7-05; 9. 
Harper, Mrs. Chas. M.; 59; 3 Wd.; 2- 

26-05; 28. 
Wood, Chas. D.; 50; 3 Wd.; 3-5-05; 7. 
Wilkerson, Mrs. Sallie; 2 Wd.; 3-16- 

05; 17. 
Allen, M. D.; 81; Anniston; 3-29-05; 

30. 
Tigner, Mrs. J. A.; 76; 2 Wd.; 4-26- 

05; 8. 
Tippen, J. B.; 74; E. Rome; 4-26-05; 

27. 
Marshall. Mrs. D. B.; 62; 1 Wd.; 5-3- 

05; 4. 
Rhodes, Catal; 74; 3 Wd.; 5-14-05; 15. 
Wood, Mrs. A.; 74; 2 Wd.; 5-17-05; 18. 
Grant, J. W.; 71; W. Rome; 5-24-05; 25. 
Sing, Young, or Joe Tang; China; 

by accident; 6-2-05. 
Mitchell, Mrs. R. V.; 2 Wd.; 6-16- 

05; 18. 
Wildsmith, Mrs. Lena; 50; Knoxville, 

Tenn.; 6-27-05; 28. 
Bowie, Sophie Park; 61; Atlanta; 7- 

8-05; 9. 
Howell, W. D.; 48; N. Y.; pistol wound; 

7-11-05; 16. 
Wright, George; 24; 2 Wd.; shot; 7- 

19-05; 20. 
Gammon, J. A. ; 61; 3 Wd.; 8-5-05; 7. 
Veal, Joe; 38; 3 Wd.; 8-10-05; 11. 
Smith, Mrs. Halstead; 53; 8-25-05; 27. 
Anthony, Mrs. M. E.; 78; 1 Wd.; 9- 

20-05; 21; in Old Cemetery. 
Gardner, Mrs. Annie; 82; Meridian, 

Miss.; 10-10-05; 12. 
Little, Capt. A. J.; 65; 3 Wd.; 10-16- 

05; 17. 
Hardin, Mrs. P. H.; 72; 3 Wd.; 10-17- 

05; 18. 
Whitmore. Col. W. P.; 91; Floyd Co.; 

10-18-05; 19. 
Troutman, Chas. Reeve; 21; killed by 



street car, Atlanta; 11-4-05; 6; 

Battey vault. 
Watters, A. J.; 79; 5 Wd.; 11-17-05; 18. 
Omberg, Clarence L.; 51; B'ham, Ala.; 

12-5-05; 7. 
McCallie, Mrs. Margaret; 83; 2 Wd.; 

12-7-05; 9. 
Young, Harry W.; 37; Montgomery, 

Ala.; 12-14-05; 15. 
Vinson, J. T.; 31; killed at Suwanee, 

Ga.. by electric shock — accident; 12- 

21-05" 23. 
Whatley,' Mrs. C. A.; 71; Atlanta; 12- 

29-05; 30. 
Randall, Mrs. Harriet; 42; Los Angeles, 

Cal.: 12-19-05; 10. 

1906. 

Gwaltney, Rev. Luther Rice; 65; E. 

Rome; 1-14-06; 15. 
Weatherly, A. B.; 40; Cleveland, Tenn.; 

1-22-06 • 23. 
Pullen, Geo. P.'; 41; 5 Wd.; 1-30-06; 31. 
Lambert, Mrs. Martha; 85; Atlanta; 

2-4-06; 5. 
McOsker, M. D.; 68; bn. Scotland; 2- 

12-06. 
Whitmore, Mrs.; 56; Floyd Co.; 3-2-06. 
West, W. J.; 45; Blountville, Tenn.; 3- 

19-06. 
Hicks. W. D.; 56; 3-24-06. 
Hargrove, C. B.; Enterprise, Ala.; ac- 
cidental gunshot; 3-24-06; 27. 
Johnson, Mrs. R. J.; 80; 3 Wd.; 3-27- 

06; 29. 
Grossman, Mrs. Emeline; 66; 4-18-06; 

18. 
Smith, Halstead; 57; 4-21-06; 21. 
Lanham, E. J.; 75; old age; 4-28-06; 30 
Woodruff, Mrs. Martha; 86; B'ham; 6- 

12-06; 12. 
Scott, Mary Reynolds; 24; Louisville, 

Ky.; 6-13-06; 13. 
Smith, Linton; 32; Memphis, Tenn.; 

8-12-06; 12. 
Chambers, Mrs. Alice; 46; 8-25-06. 
Montgomery, Mrs. John; 45; dd. Conn.; 

9-21-06. 
Mullen, J. E.; 70; 9-22-06. 
Gammon, Edward E.; 21; B'ham; 9- 

20-06; 28. 
Sproull, Mrs. J. C; 84; res. Bartow 

Co.; 10-4-06. 
Mull, Dr. J. C; 35; 10-24-06. 
Lanham, Mrs. J. D.; 48; 11-3-06. 
Webb, J. P.; 62; Cobb Co.; 11-14-06. 
Eastman, Mrs. Guy; 23; 11-14-06. 
Warner, Chas. J.; 70; 11-29-06. 
Shropshire, Ann Moore; 83; 12-4-06. 
Gentry, H. C; 70; 12-23-06. 

1907. 

Towers, Ruth; 18; 1-13-07. 

Watters, Mrs. Geo. W.; 83; Carrollton; 

1-13-07. 
Farris, John; 66; 4-2-07. 





r?Y^/^ 




606 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Howell, Millard F.; 56; res. Cherokee 

Co., Ala.; dd. Phila.; 4-15-07. 
Rowell, Mrs. Lou; 64; 6-16-07. 
Trawick, Mrs. J. B.; 50; 6-18-07. 
Black, J L.; 67; res. Penna.; dd. Rome; 

6-29-07. 
Colclough, E. H.; 74; res. Cherokee 

Co., Ala.; 9-18-07. 
Berry, Bose; 22; shot in New Orleans; 

10-26-07. 
Lewis, J. C; 52; res. France; 11-6-07. 
West, Mrs. R. H.; 60; res. Tenn.; 11- 

15-07. 
Veal, J. E.; 84; res. Columbia, S. C; 

11-23-07. 

1908. 

Wells, T. P.; 62; res. Bartow Co.; 2- 

2-08. 
Miller, Mrs. G. H.; 76; E. Rome; 2-6- 

08. 
Morton, Judge G. B.; 76; res. Athens; 
2-6-08. 

Fouche, Robt. T.; 72; 3-3-08. 
Smith, Mrs. Martha; 60; res. Rome; 

dd. Chattanooga; 3-16-08. 
Scott, Frank; 59; Ohio; ^-31-08. 
Holder, Luther; 32; Id. Texas, res. 

Floyd Co.; 4-6-08. 
Whitehead, J. J.; 77; 4-8-08. 
Bridges, Mrs. Warren; 68; res. S. C. ; 

dd. Rome; 4-23-08. 
Salmon, N. L. ; 35; res. Ala.; killed by 

accident; 3-25-08. 
Gordon, Col. W. L.; 68; 8-24-08. 
Burgwalt, Mrs. Jno.; 68; Sweden; 8- 

19-08. 
Willingham, Griffin; 87; S. C; dd. 

Floyd Co.; 10-26-08. 
Keel, Henry; 21; Gadsden; killed by 

accident; 10-28-08. 
Bridges, W. W.; 64; res. S. C; dd. 

Rome; 6-10-08. 
Smith, Owen O.; 26; dd. Atlanta; 7-6-08 
Powers, N. F.; 59; 7-9-08. 
Henson, Martha; 52; 7-9-08. 
Wilkerson, Mrs. R. T. ; 80; res. Tenn.; 

8-22-08. 
Gailliard, Mrs. Manor; 65; S. C; 11- 

3-08. 
Lanham, Will L.; 48; Floyd Co.; 11- 

5-08. 
Clark, J. C; 18; 12-28-08. 

1909. 

Taylor, Mrs. Mary M.; 72; Ala.; 1- 

19-09. 
Johnson, Mrs. Luke; 47; N. Rome; 1- 

29-09. 
Earle, j! P.; 72; S. C; N. Rome; 1- 

29-09. 
Jarvis, J. L.; 70; S. C; 2-17-09. 
Cheney, Walter T.; 56; bn. Chattooga 

Co.; dd. Rome; 3-19-09. 
Ramey, Mrs. E. E.; 82; 3-26-09. 
Hight, Chas. A.; 56; 11-30-09. 



Harper, A. R.; 46; dd. Chicago; 3-30-09. 
Thompson, Miss Susan; 52; S. C; 4- 

2-09. 
Ayer, Frank; 50; 4-5-09. 
Fleetwood, Mrs. Annie; 62; 5-5-09. 
Trammell, Dennis; 91; N. Rome; May 

5-8-09. 
Graves, Chas. L; 46; 6-1-09. 
Morrison, Gus A.; 77; S. C; 6-2-09. 
Willingham, J. H.; 6-4-09. 
Shaw, Daisy; 35; Floyd Co.; dd. Phila. 

6-5-09. 
Lytle, L.; 72; S. C; 6-10-09. 
Callahan, F. N. ; 76; S. C; 6-19-09. 
Dougherty, A.; 67; Floyd Co.; 7-4-09. 
Perkins, Mrs. Bettie; 72; Va.; dd. 

Rome; 8-11-09. 
Beysiegel, W. E.; 45; Ala.; 10-13-09. 
Wade, Miss Mary; 76; N. Rome 10- 

22-09. 
Sullivan, Arthur R.; 57; 10-22-09. 
Harper, Chas. M. ; 70; N. C; dd. Rome; 

11-4-09. 
Hemphill, Miss Mabel; 50; bn. Rome; 

dd. Atlanta; 11-14-09. 
Kelly, Wm.; 73; bn. S. C; dd. Rome; 

11-13-09. 
Morrison, H. G.; 73; bn. N. C; N. 

Rome; 11-25-09. 
Smith, H. A.; 77; bn. N. C; N. Rome; 

11-24-09. 
Sargent, John; 38; bn. Rome; dd. 

Ark.; 12-2-09. 
Parks, Frank R.; 35; bn. Floyd Co.; 

dd. Los Angeles; 12-8-09. 
Beysiegel, Charlie; Ala.; 12-24-09. 
Tippen, Will; 35; Floyd Co.; 12-25-09. 
Lamberth, Mrs. Jesse; 65; Floyd Co.; 

dd. Atlanta; 12-25-09. 

1910. 

Wood, T. C; 91; N. C; dd. Atlanta; 
old age; 2-19-10. 

Patton, Mrs. Ida Nevin; 35; 3-24-10. 

Woodward, Edward; 35; bn. Carters- 
ville. dd. Rome; 4-2-10. 

DeJournett, Will; 65; bn. Floyd Co.; 
dd. Atlanta; 4-3-10. 

Camp, Mrs. James; 75; 4-3-10. 

Sharpe, Miss Sarah Virginia; 55; bn. 
Chattooga Co.; 4-11-10. 

Landers, J. L.; 35; bn. Chattooga Co.; 
dd. Lindale; 4-14-10. 

Hudson, J. E.; 87; bn. N. C; dd. Floyd 
Co.; 4-27-10. 

Cheney, Miss Daisy; 19; Floyd Co.; 4- 
30-10. 

White, Louis M.; 35; bn and dd. Cal- 
houn; 5-16-10. 

Gomez, Mrs. M.; Floyd Co.; dd. Ma- 
rietta; 5-16-10. 

Moffet, J. B.; 50; dd. Macon; 5-17-10. 

Turner, Capt. L. M.; 50; bn. Chero- 
kee Co.; dd. 5-27-10. 

Farrell, Mrs. Charlie; 75; bn. N. C; 
dd. Rome; 6-5-10. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



607 




OLD-FASHIONED ROMANS IN PICTURES. 

Top. left to right. Miss Julia Omberg; Prof J M Proctor, head "^ »J^*L^^^^„'•]^"^^"',"- 
Pro^tor School and father of Edward and Jno. M. Proctor; Mrs. J. H. Rhodes, nee Mary 
Cooley- Rev W. H LaPrade. Methodist minister; Mary Battey-King; J L. C^^Pp^"^^^!* > "'^ 
daughter, who became Mrs. Hunter McClure; Mrs. Peter M. She.bley; Mrs. Jno. P. Eve; H.nes 
M. Smith, a son of Maj. Chas. H. Smith ("Bill Arp. ) 



608 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Stillwell, Mrs. O. M.; 75; 6-11-10. 
Hampkin, J. R.; 58; S. C; 6-14-10. 
George, J. B.; 73; bn. N. Y.; 6-18-10. 
Shiflett, Mrs. C. A.; 30; Floyd Co.; 

6-28-10. 
Harris, Judge Richard R. ; 75; bn. 

Bradley Co., Tenn.; 7-6-10. 
Pyle, Chas.; 30; Floyd Co.; 6-28-10. 
Reese, J. J.; 68; Floyd Co.; 7-11-10. 
Reese, Miss G. A.; 18; 7-12-10. 
Gwaltney, Rev. LutTier Rice; 80; 7- 

18-10; 20. 
Collier, Dick; 35; dd. at B'ham; 7- 

30-10. 
Waiters, Mrs. Kate; 86; bn. Gilmer 

Co.; 6-10-10. 
Hanson, George; 12; drowned; 8-31-10. 
Clarkeson, W. G.; 23; 8-9-10. 
Sullivan, Mrs. J. B.; 75; bn. N. C; 

Aug. 31, 10. 
Simpson, J. H.; 54; dd. Anniston; 9- 

27-10. 
Jackson, Miles; 80; iFloyd Co.; dd. 

Rome; 9-30-10. 
Rounsaville, Jno. Wesley; 68; dd. 

Rome; 10-5-10. 
McDonald, Mark G.; 59; 10-18-10. 
Stafford, Mrs. Sarah; 81; Floyd Co.; 

dd. Chattanooga; 10-25-10. 
Magruder. Mrs.; 78; 11-4-10. 
Yancey, Robt. B.; hot in Fla.; 11- 

27-10. 
Hillyer, Dr. Eben; 80; 12-22-10. 

1911. 

Hill, J. B.; 68; 1-1-11. 
Vincent, Mrs. Wm. J.; 68; 1-9-11. 
Hamilton, David Blount; 77; 1-31-11. 
Funderburk, Mrs.; 66; Floyd Co.; 2-7- 

11. 
Moss, A. C; 35; 2-11-11. 
Gammon, Mrs. Laura; 50; 2-21-11. 
Rice, Jno. H.; 68; bn. N. C; dd. Rome; 

2-27-11. 
Sullivan, James B.; 86; 4-22-11. 
Camp, James; 72; 4-29-11. 
Martin, Mrs. Margaret; 82; S. C; 5- 

15-11. 
Daniel, T. E.; 38; Cherokee Co.; dd. 

Rome; 6-1-11. 
Marshall, E. B. ; 72; bn. Floyd Co.; 

dd. Rome; 6-2-11. 
Owens, Georgia; 28; 6-4-11. 
Watson, A. P.; 65; Floyd Co.; dd. 

Rome; 6-13-11. 
Mitchell, Walter; 55; bn and dd. Floyd 

Co.; 6-26-11. 
Hendricks, John; 44; Floyd Co.; dd. 

Rome; 6-28-11. 
Daniel, R. H.; 56; bn. Ala.; 8-3-11. 
Bailey, Mrs. Curtis; 66; bn. Floyd Co.; 

dd. W. Rome; 8-23-11. 
Reese, Paul D.; 45; dd. Boozville; 10- 

21-11. 
Sharpe, Miss Annie; 35; 11-24-11. 



Mebane, Mrs. W. B.; 27; bn. Floyd Co.; 
dd. Rome; 11-22-11. 

1912. 

Thompson, Henry; 86; bn. Floyd Co.; 

dd. Rome; 1-9-12. 
Moseley, A. B. S.; 72; 2-12-12. 
Jack, Tony; 72; 2-14-12. 
Gould, Capt. J. P.; 62; W. Rome; 3- 

13-12. 
Coulter, Mrs.; 52; bn. Floyd Co.; dd. 

Rome; 3-13-12. 
Wood, Harvey C; 66; 4-15-12; 16. 
Gresham, A. S.; 27; 4-17-12. 
Owens, Dr. J. D.; dd. 1850; dug up Apr. 

16-12 on Upper Broad and interred 

in pauper section. 
Hughes, Mrs. Lizzie Roach; 75; E. 3d 

St.; dd. 4-21-12. 
Mulkey, Miss Annie; 51; dd. 6-15-12; 

16. 
Bright, Mrs. Emaline; 69; 6-17-12; 18. 
Vandiver, J. M.; 41; 6-19-12; 20. 
Stoffregen, Mrs. J. H.; 89; Hanover, 

Germany; dd. 6-21-12; 23. 
Reiser, Mrs. J. G.; 79; dd. 6-29-12; 

July 2. 
Wright, Mrs. E. C; 40; Polk Co.; dd. 

7-3-12; 4. 
Iroutman, Rev. Marcellus L.; 52; res. 

Athens, Ga.; dd. 7-5-12; 7; Battey 

vault. 
Bowie, Wm. Wurts; 32; 7-11-12; 13. 
Ramey, Geo.; 56; 7-27-12; 28. 
Bowie, Langdon, Sr. ; 70; 8-4-12. 
Hunt, Dr. D. G.; 82; Va.; 8-4-12; 6. 
Simpson, Capt. W. P.; 72; Tenn; 8- 

12-12* 13. 
Ayer, Mrs. W. F.; 80; 9-4-12; 5. 
Smith, Mrs. Hines M.; 63; 9-27-12; 29. 
Hardin, Mrs. Rebecca; 52; 10-29-12; 30. 
Haynes, Mrs. B. T.; 56; 10-31-12; 1. 
Ramsaur, Dr. D. H.; 73; res. Atlanta; 

dd. there; 11-1-12; 2. 
Shrewsbury, Mrs. M. A.; 78; 11-5-12; 6. 
Maxwell, G. L.; 80; 11-6-12; 7. 
Wimpee, M. A.; 77; 11-23-12; 25. 
Attaway, M. K.; bd. 11-29-12; plowed 

up on N. Broad St. with 3 infants 

26, in iron caskets. 
Shropshire, W. M.; 94; 11-29-12; bd. 1. 
Gould, Mrs. Pearl; 28; 12-14-12; 15. 
Howell, Mrs. G. W.; 92; Howell's Cross 

Roads; 12-16-12; 18. 
Twyman, Mrs. L. C.; 67; non-res.; 12- 

28-12; 29. 

1913. 

Unknown body in iron ' casket, N» 
Broad St.; buried on C. Attaway 
lot; 1-1-13. 

Chidsey, Frances; 16; 1-18-13; 19. 

Hawkins, Mrs. J. H.; 68; 1-23-13; 24. 

Ivey, Mrs. Elizabeth E.; 83; E. Rome; 
2-7-13" 8 

O'Neill. J. j.; 69; dd. 2-9-13; 10. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



609 




"WHEN MRS. WOODROW WILSON CAME HOME." 

As Ellen Louise Axson, Mrs. Wilson was the schoolmate and friend of numerous Romans; 
she lived in Rome nearly 20 years, and on Thursday, Aug. 6, 1914, breathed her last at the 
White House in Washington, D. C. She was buried Wednesday, August 12, beside her 
parents. Rev. and) Mrs. S. E. Axson, in Myrtle Hill cemetery at Rome. At top, the people* 
at foot of cemetery; Broad Street Bridge; President Wilson's carriage on Second Avenue 
near East Fifth Street; cemetery scenes. 



610 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Davies, Mrs. Anna; 63; 2-22-13; 25. 
Beysiegel, Mrs. Carrie; 49; 2-28-13; 

Smith'" Jas. A.; 67; 3-10-13; 11. 
Wright, Mrs. Carlton; 3-20-13'; 23; 

auto accident. 
O'Neill, W. P.; 67; res. Atlanta; dd. 

E. Rome; 4-9-13; 10. 
Spiegelberg, M.; 73; 4-19-13; 21. 
Allen, Mrs. R. V.; 4-23-13; 25. 
Grace, Wm. T., Jr.; 25; res. Macon: 

4-23-13; 25. 
Fouche, C. M.; 71; 4-27-13; 29. 
Pollock, Mrs. J. G.; S. Rome; bn. S. 

W. Ga.; dd. 5-5-13; 6. 
Boyd, Dr. W. H.; 85; E. Rome; 5-8- 

13; 9. 
Mitchell, Mrs. Mary; 76; res. Co.; dd. 

5-10-13; 11. 
McGhee, Mrs. Joe; 58; 6-11-13; 13. 
Vea\, Mrs. J. Sam; 45; 6-26-13; 27. 
Patton, Jos. B.; 64; Tenn. dd. 7-3- 

13 • 4. 
Saylor, Elvira; 43; 7-4-13; 4. 
Hudgins, Mrs. Mamie; 40; 7-21-13; 22. 
Sproull, Griuin Wm.; 35; res. B'ham; 

dd. 7-26-13; 28. 
Lawrence, Geo. A.; 38; 1 Wd.; dd. 8- 

15-13; 15. 
Headden. Rev. Robt. B.; 74; 2 Wd.; 8- 

14-13; 16. 
Powers, D. J.; 65; res. Lyons, Ga.; 

non-res.; 9-6-13; 8. 
Elliott, Mrs. J. M.; 89; res. Gadsden; 

9-16-13; 18. 
Hiles, Capt. Thompson; 72; bn. Tenn.; 

9-18-13; 19. 
Nealy, Dr. Jno. C. ; 43; res. Bain- 
bridge; 9-19-13; 20. 
Keeley, Mrs. Grace Lanham; 29; bn. 

Rome; dd. Macon; 9-19-13; 21. 
Moss, Wm. M.; 68; S. Rome; dd. 9-22- 

13 • 23. 
Lumpkin, B. F.; 63; S. Rome; dd. 10- 

9-13; 10. 
Tracy, Mrs. J. T.; 53; E. Rome; 10- 

25-13; 26. 
Drennon, Mrs. Charlie; 45; 10-26-13; 

27. (Oakland Cemetery). 
Hillyer, Mrs. Eben; 11-8-13; 9. 
Plumb, Mrs. Mary; 66; 12-3-13; 4. 
Jack, Miss Amanda; 79; res. Atlanta; 

12-3-13; 4. 
Alexander, Mrs. J. W.; 54; 12-28-13; 

30. 

1914. 

Allen, W. C; 79; 1-5-14; 5. 

Terhune, Mrs. E. A.; 66; 1 Wd.; 1-11- 
14; 12. 

Holder, Mrs. C. B.; 66; S. Rome; 1- 
13-14; 14. 

Jones, Mrs. Maud Allgood; 43; Atlan- 
ta; bn. Trion; 1-15-14; 17. 

Root, Mrs. Louise Bass; 30; N. Waki- 
ma, Wash.; 3-21-14; 28. 



Wicker, Robt.; 29; 1-27-14; 28. 
Todd, Mrs. L. A.; 61; 5-13-14; 14. 
Brett, Mrs. M. W.; 75; res. States- 

boro; 5-20-14; 22. 
Holder, G. B.; 70; 6-18-14; 19. 
Ledbetter, Mrs. A. W.; 68; 6-28-14; 

29. 
Hawkins, Mrs. Jno. H.; 74; 2d Ave.; 7- 

15-14; 16. 
West, Capt. Ernest E., U. S. A.; res. 

Rhea Spgs., Tenn.; dd. 7-17-14; 18. 

Wilson, Mrs. Woodrow; 54 yrs. 3 mos., 

22 days; dd. at the White House, 

Washington, D. C; 8-6-14; 12. 

McWilliams, Oscar H.; 75; E. Rome 

8-29-14; 31. 
Williamson, Capt. Tom J.; N. Rome; 

70' 9-21-14 • 22. 
Archer, W. N.'; 64; E. Rome; 10-16- 

14; 17. 
Hamilton, Mrs. David Blount; 78; 1- 

27-14" 28 
Ross, Mrs. A. F.; 50; 2 Wd.; 11-25- 

14; 26. 
Donkle, Mrs. Jane; 86; res. Anniston; 

12-7-14; 9. 

1915. 

Reece, Jno. C; 44; dd. Atlanta; 1-1- 
15; 2. 

Moore, Mrs. Mary C; 82; res. and dd. 
Atlanta; 12-31-15; 1-2. 

Franklin, Ben; drowned in Oostanaula 
river; 1-3-15; bd. 5, Jewish Ceme- 
tery. 

Clements, T. E.; 61; N. Broad; 1-13- 
15; 14. 

Alexander, Col. Thos. W.; 88; 3 Wd.; 
1-22-15. 

Gomez, N. M.; 70; res. and dd. Mari- 
etta; 2-3-15; 5. 

Brannon, R. S.; 75; 5 Wd.; 3-6-15; 7. 

Attaway, Mrs. Joe; 40; 4 Wd. ; 3-10-15; 
11. 

Harris, Judge Walter; 57; 4 Wd.; 3- 
17-15; 18. 

Ruggles, Chas.; 55; 3-26-15; 27; Oak- 
land. 

Hough, Mrs. Edward C; 87; 4-18-15; 
19. 

West, J. H.; 73; 7 Wd.; 5-2-15; 4; bd. 
in Soldiers' lot. 

Goetchius. Chas. B.; 53; 5-15-15; 16. 

Simpson, Mrs. W. P.; 69; dd. Battle 
Creek, Mich.; 6-23-15; 25. 

Rounsaville, Mrs. Jno. Wesley; 70; 7- 
15-15; 16. 

Ivey, Dr. Jas. E.; 61; E. Rome; 8-11- 
15; 13. 

Johnson, J. Lindsay; 60; dd. Manila, 
P. L, July, 1915; bd. 9-20-15. 

Bass, Mrs. N. H.; 70; 5 Wd.; 9-22- 
15; 23. 

Shropshire, Sam; 73; dd. in N. Rome; 
10-2-15; 3. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



611 



Seay, Mrs. W. W.; 79; 10-21-15; 22. 

Sullivan, Arthur R., Jr.; 31; dd. Mem- 
phis, Tenn.; 12-3-15; 5. 

Rowell, Miss Bessie; 37; E. Rome; 
12-14-15; 16. 

1916, 

Nixon, Mrs. Mary P.; 72; S. Rome; 
1-20-16; 22. 
Funderburk, Miss Emma; 70; N. 

1-22-16. 
Chidsey, Geo.; 64; 1-29-16; 30. 
Wright, R. B.; 77; dd. Soldiers Home, 

Atlanta; 2-18-16; 20; Soldiers' lot. 
Lewis, Wm. M.; 46; E. Rome; killed 

by car on Southern; 3-4-16; 5. 
Gammon, Wm. Melville; 75; E. Rome; 

3-9-16; 11. 
Funderburk, Miss Emma; 70; N. 

Rome; 4-14-16; 15. 
Condit, Elmer J.; 60; 4-15-16; 16. 
May, Mrs. Isaac; 50; 4-20-16; 21. 
Best, Wm.; 46; S. Rome; 4-21-16; 22. 
Given, Mrs. R. W.; 42; res. and dd. 

Oakdale, Tenn.; 5-7-16; 9. 
Moore, Capt. Jim Tom; 80; 5-20-16; 21. 
Rounsaville, Fred; 42; 6-6-16; 7. 
McConnell, Mrs. J. P.; 68; res. and 

dd. Chattanooga; 6-12-16; 14. 
Procter, H. C; 55; dd. Atlanta; 7-12- 

16; 14. 
Seay, Jno. J.; 73; 8-17-16. 
Hargis, Mrs. Mary M.; 72; lived 

B'ham; 8-20-16; 21. 
Howel, Mrs. Mary Park; 53; 8-24-16; 

25. 
Walton, Mrs. lone K.; 72; res. and dd. 

Meridian, Miss.; 8-27-16; 29. 
Trammell, H. C; 71; N. Rome; 8-25- 

16; 26; (Oakland). 
Miller, Geo. H.; 80; 9-11-16; 12. 
McDonald, V. A.; 38; S. Rome; killed 

by shooting in 4 Wd.; 9-17-16; 19. 
Harvey, Mrs. S. P.; 80; N. Rome; 9- 

20-16; 21. 
Wright, F. Carlton; 48; 9-22-16; 23. 
Hackett, John; 64; 4 Wd.; 6-27-16; 29. 
Headden, Mrs. R. B.; 7-17-15; 19. 
Hough, Edward C; 89; 10-13-16; 15. 
Sullivan, Mrs. Arthur R.; 63; 10-7-16; 

19. 
Crumley, G. W.; 64; res. E. Rome; dd. 

DeSoto Park; 11-15-16; 16. 
Burney, Stark J.; 58; 2-15-17; 17. 
Lanham, E. E.; 53; S. Rome; 11-20- 

16; 21. 
Elliott, Ben H.; 60; res. and dd. Tenn.; 

11-28-16; 30. 
Prathel^ Mrs. Georgia Hodges;' 67; 

lived and dd. Macon; 12-9-16; 10. 
Rounsaville, Jas. Roy; 35; 12-21-16; 22. 

1917. 

Satterfield, W. J.; 61; 2-3-17; 5. 
Wimpee, Mrs. Mary; 64; res. Dalton; 
2-17; 3; (Oakland). 



Burney, Stark J.; 58; 2-15-17; 17. 
Dean, Joel; 34; dd. 2-13-17 at San 

Antonio, Texas; 18. 
Pruden, Chas. S. ; 57; 2-19-17; 21. 
Coulter, Clinton; 29; 2-27-17; 28. 
Quarles, Linton; 35; res. St. Louis, 

Mo.; 2-4-17; 8; (Oakland). 
Esserman, Rabbi; 75; 3-14-17; 15; 

(Jewish Cemetery). 
Ballard, Tom; 48; 5 Wd.; drowned in 

Etowah river, 3-3-17 ; found near 

Cedar Bluff, Ala.; 3-24; bd. 24. 
Wimpee, John; 71; 4 Wd. ; 4-8-17; 9. 
Bowie, Mrs. Langdon; 70; res. Hotel 

Forrest; 4-8-17; 9. 
McGhee, L. M.; 34; dd. on train be- 
tween Chicago and Chattanooga; 4- 

17-17; 18. 
Hawkins, Hal; 64; E. 8th St., E. Rome; 

4-18-17; 19. 
Cantrell, Mrs. E. E.; 26; lived below 

Moblev Park; 4-20-17; 21. 
Mullen, Mrs. S. F.; 75; 2d Ave.; 5-7- 

17" 9. 
McArver, A. B.; 59; E. 3d St.; 5-9- 

17; 10. 
Steele, N. J.; 66; E. Rome; killed by 

Southern engine; 5-29-17; 30. 
Neal, W. M.; 86; E. 3d St.; 6-4-17; 6. 
Dupree, Mrs. J. F.; 71; S. Broad; dd, 

from fall; 6-5-17; 6. 
Wingfield, Mrs. J. F.; 71; W. Rome; 

6-10-17; 11. 
Lindsay, C. S.; 75; res. and dd. At- 
lanta; 6-21-17; 22. 
Attaway, W. R. ; 65; dd. 3d Ave. room; 

7-13-17; 16. 
Parks, Hugh B., Jr.; 32; 7-20-17. 
May, J. Will; 56; 7-23-17; 24. 
Battey, Wm. Cephas; 67; dd. Hender- 

sonville, N. C; 7-1-17; 8-3. 
Harris, Mrs. R. R.; 80; S. Rome; 8- 

3-17; 5. 
Conn, Rev. C. L.; 54; W. Rome; 8- 

21-17; 22. 
Benjamin, Mrs. Frank; 78; E. 2d St.; 

8-26-17; 27. 
Govan, M. F.; 83; res. Atlanta; old 

age; 9-3-17; 5. 
Seay, Florida Bayard; 84; dd. N. Y. ; 

9-30-17; Oct. 3. 
Dempsey, Richard; 60; 4 Wd.; 10-8-17; 

10. 
Shropshire, Miss Lillie; 60; 2 Wd.; 11- 

27-17; 28. 
Jenkins, Tom; 36; E. of Rome; pistol 

shot in breast; 11-28-17; 30. 
Fahy, Thos.; 74; 11-30-17; 1. 
Lansdell, Mrs. W. S.; 80; 4 Wd. ; 12-16- 

17; 18. 
rowers, Mrs. W. M.; 68; 12-31-17; 3. 

1918. 

McCrary, Mrs. Mary Mitchell; 73; 1- 
22-18; 23. 



612 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




ROMANS OF THE OLD SCHOOL AND THE NEW. 

Left to right, Mark B. Eubanks, three views of the late Judge Joel Branham, Geo. Rounsa- 
ville, Misses Nellie Bass and Frances Graves, Thos. E. Clemmons, the "young hopeful" of Fire 
Chief Horace L. Taylor, Dr. Jno. F. Lawrence, City Court Solicitor James Maddox, with A. C. 
Mncher, mayor of Cave Spring; Judge Jno. P. Davis, Nathan Harris and Judge Harper Ham Iton 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



613 



Hagin, James; 58; E. Rome, 1-26-18; 

27. 
Shropshire, Capt. Chas. Freeman; U. S. 

A.; 45; dd. Phila., Pa.; 1-29-18; 1. 
Morton, E. H.; 52; Floyd Co.; 2-6-18; 9, 
Stamps, Lt. Lofton H., U. S. A.; res. 

and dd. Lawton, Okla.; burned in 

aeroplane accident; 2-8-18; 11. 
Lester, Mrs. Bannester S.; 82; 2-15-18; 

16. 
Webb, James Hugh, U. S. A.; 24; 4 

Wd.; dd. Memphis, Tenn.; aeroplane 

collision; 2-23-18; 27. 
Stansbury, Mrs. Josephine; 79; 4 Wd. ; 

2-27-18; 1. 
Fouche, Mrs. Robt. T.; 75; 2 Wd. ; 4- 

14-18; 16. 
Omberg, Miss Emma; 64; 1 Wd.; 4-16- 

16-18; 17. 
Omberg, Mrs. Susan; 70; res. Atlanta; 

dd. Pittsburg, Pa.; 4-23-18; 26. 
Arrington, A. B.; 49; 4-29-18; 30. 
Trammell, Geo. Lee; 40; N. Rome; 5- 

2-18; 3; (Oakland). 
Rupee, J. M.; 78; 5 Wd. ; 7-4-18; 5. 
Cox, Mrs. Ross P.; 46; 5-7-18; 11. 
Redrean, (Redmond?), John; 26; 5 

Wd.; motorcycle accident, Cleveland, 

Tenn.; 7-13-18; 15. 
Bass, Col. Josiah; 80; 5-25-18; 27. 
Magruder, Geo. H.; 52; 8-14-18; 15. 
Harbin, D. D.; 70; C. S. A.; 1 Wd.; 

9-17-18; 18; soldiers' lot. 
Rounsaville, Mrs. Susie; 36; 2 Wd. ; 9- 

26-18; 27. 
Gwaltney, Mrs. Susan; 75; 2 Wd.; 

10-1-18; 3. 
Price, Wm. Clyde; 26; U. S. N.; dd. 

of flu, Norfolk, Va.; 10-2-18; 6. 
Johnson, Raymond; 23; U. S. A.; 4 

Wd.; dd. of flu, Baltimore; 10-1- 

18; 6. 
Baxter, Mrs. W. H. Hanson; 28; res. 

and dd. Chattanooga; 10-14-18; 16. 
Wilbey, Philip Sheridan; 29; dd. of flu, 

Minn.; 10-19-18; 24. 
Griffin, Mrs. Alice Glover; 34; W. 

Rome; 10-24-18; 25; Harper vault. 
Gvi^altney, Miss Mary; 35; E. Rome; 10- 

28-18; 29. 
Cooley, Mrs. Ella; 80; res. and dd. 

Sugar Valley, Ga.; 10-28-18; 29. 
Chastain, T. C; 46; E .Rome; dd. An- 
chor Duck; 10-15-18; 17; (Oak- 
land). 
Futrelle, A. W.; 62; 2 Wd.; dd. hos- 
pital, Atlanta; 11-2-18; 4. 
Strange, Mrs. W. T.; 47; 11-6-18; 7. 
Harris, Walter, Jr.; 26; 4 Wd.; 11-9- 
Terhune, Cornelius; 65; 11-6-18; 8. 

10-18; 11. 
Judkins, Jas. R.; 33; res. and dd. Chi- 
cago; 11-20-18; 22. 
Byars, Mrs. Hardin C; 33; 2 Wd.; 11- 

20-18; 22. 



Coulter, Mrs. Ben; 33; 1 Wd.; 11-24- 

18; 25. 
Stillwell, Oliver; 52; 4 Wd.; 11-24-18- 

26. 
Baumgartner, C; 69; S. Rome; 11- 

26-18; 28. 
Lumpkin, J. H.; 60; 4 Wd.; 11-28-18. 
Hallock, Capt. Roy Edgar, U. S. A.; 33; 

res. N. J.; 12-27-18; 31. 

1919. 

West, Mrs. Mary; 55; 3 Wd. 2d Ave.; 

1-7-19; 9. 
Broach. Mrs. Nancy; 85; res. and dd. 

N. Rome; 1-15-19; 17; (Oakland). 
Byars, C. T.; 26; S. Rome; 1-18-19. 
DeJournett, J. R.; 75; res. and dd. 

Greenville, Ga.; 1-18-19; 20. 
May, Wm. J.; 53; res. and dd. B'ham; 

1-28-19; 29. 
Wilkerson, C. L.; 50; 5th Ave., N. 

Rome; 2-4-19; 6. 
Arp, J. D.; 55; res. and dd. Floyd Co.; 

2-8-19; 9. 
Treadaway, Mrs. Sallie; 60; res. N 

Rome; 2-25-19; 26; (Oakland). 
DeJournette, Mrs. Jonte Ragan: 28- 

dd. N. Y.; 2-28-19; 2. 
Allen, Asberry; 78; res. E. Rome; dd. 

Fla.; 3-6-19; 9. 
McHenry, Col. W. S.; 73; 2d Ave.; 3- 

21-19; 22. 
Lansdell, Henry S., Jr.; 41; res. and 

dd. Atlanta; 3-26-19; 28. 
Bow^ie, James Park; 65; E. Rome; 4- 

6-19; 8. 
Latimer, Rev. A. H.; 72; res. and dd 

Savannah; 4-8-19; 11. 
Chidsey, Lt. Geo. B.; 39; U. S. A.; dd 

Ft. McPherson; 5-7-19. 
Adamson, N. E.; 69; 1 Wd.; 6-16-19 

18. 
Angle, J. Y.; 82; S. Rome; 6-30-19; 1. 
Mann, Mrs. Mary Frances; 56; 5 Wd.; 

7-4-19; 6. 
Malone, D. T.; dd. Mo., July, 1919. 
Maddox, Mrs. Jas. W.; 69; 7-21-19; 22. 
Graves, Mrs. Chas. I.; 79; 8-5-19; 7. 
Archer, Mrs. Fannie Ivey; 61; E. Rome; 

8-7-19; 9. 
■V^'alker, Mrs. Margaret E.; 67; res. 

and dd. Atlanta; 8-7-19; 9. 
Hammond, Dr. L. P.; 63; 2 Wd.; dd, 

St. Jos. Hos., Atlanta; 8-24-19; 25. 
Williamson, Mrs. Theodore H.; 42; res. 

and dd. Los Angeles; 8-12-19; 19. 
Bryant, Mrs. W. W.; 48; 8-27-19; 28. 
Simpson, J. E.; 76; 4 Wd.; 9-13-19; 15. 
McPeak, Mrs. 0.; 39; E. Rome; drown- 
ed; 9-23-19; 26. 
Lumpkin, Mrs. J. B.; 48; Ave. A, 4 

Wd.; 9-30-19; 1. 
Panchen, J. S.; 82; res. and dd. At- 
lanta; 10-1-19; 2. 
Ledbetter, Ollie G.; 43; 2 Wd.; 10-8- 
. 19; 9. 



614 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Sharp, Garnett W. ; 36; res. and dd. 

Macon; 4-22-19; found dead on cot; 

9-25-19. 
Moody, Mrs. Ruth Howell; 23; res. 

and dd. Tuscaloosa, Ala.; 10-10- 

19; 11. 
Glover, Mrs. J. A.; 72; 10-14-19; 15. 
Shropshire, Mrs. Mary Bell; 76; N. 

Rome; 10-27-19; 28; (Oakland). 
Morris, J. M.; 61; res. Atlanta; dd. St. 

Joseph Hosp. ; 11-3-19; 5. 
Jamison, Rev. A. C; 65; res. and dd. 

Atlanta; 11-7-19; 8. 
Hillyer, Mrs. Elizabeth; 66; E. Rome; 

11-19-19; 21. 
Foster, Mrs. Lena McDonald; 49; res. 

and dd. Chattanooga; 12-6-19; 9. 
Lansdell, Hy S.; 73; res. and dd. At- 
lanta; 12-9-19; 11. 
Carey, Mrs. James S.; 95; E. 1st St.; 1 

Wd.; 12-13-19; 14. 

1920. 

Beysiegel, Mrs. Will.; 57; 1-3-20; 6. 
Landrum, L. M.; 70; res. and dd. N. 

Broad St.; 1-26-20; 28. 
Jones, Mrs. Jno. R.; 39; res. Atlanta; 

dd. Phoenix, Ariz.; 2-1-20; 7. 
Green, Ben W.; 48; 1 Wd. ; 2-8-20; 10. 
Wood, Claud C; 31; res. and dd. An- 

niston; 2-15-20; 16. 
Woodruff, Mrs. Elizabeth; 79; res. and 

dd. B'ham; 2-22-20; 24. 
Braselton, Dr. B. F.; 65; N. of Rome; 

3-6-20; 8. 
Stoffregen, Charley; 66; 5 Wd.; 3-7- 

20; 9. 
Storey, J. L.; 68; Summerville Rd. ; 3- 

14-20; 16. 
Thomas, Dr. J. D.; 77; 3-19-20; 20. 
Wimpee, Mrs. Delia; 66; 4 Wd.; 3- 

31-20; 1. 
King, Robt. N.; 43; res. and dd. Phila. 

Gen. Hosp.; 3-27-20; 1. 
Cothran, Guy S., Sr.; 45; res. Laven- 
der Mt. ; burned to death in house 

at Subligna; 4-6-20; 8. 
Shibley, (Shiebley?), C. B.; res. and 

dd. Washington, D. C; 4-9-20; 13. 
May, Mrs. Lula M.; 50; E. Rome; 4- 

18-20; 20. 
Mullen, Miss Lula S.; 52; S. Rome; 

May 10-20; 12. 
Agrnew^, Mrs. Emma S.; 52; res. At- 
lanta; 6-14-20; 15. 
McCloud, (McLeod)., Jas. F.; 60; 4 

Wd.; 6-21-20; 22. 
Given, Hughie C; 87; 3 Wd.; 7-2-20; 4. 
Reece, Judge Jno. H.; 82; N. Rome; 

7-19-20; 21. 
Holcomb, John; U. S. A.; 24; dd. Den- 
ver, Col., hosp.; 8-30-20; 2. 
Lanham, Roy E.; U. S. A.; dd. France, 

Oct. 1918 • 9-24-20. 
Hidell,''Miss Lizzie; 76; 10-16-20; 17. 



Wright, Mrs. Ava Butler; 85; res. and 

dd. Atlanta; 10-4-20; 6. 
Hargrove, Miss Linnie; 82; 10-15-20; 

16. 
Washington, Clifford D.; U. S. A.; 24; 

E. Rome; dd. France, 1919; 10-3-20. 
Lanham, J. Henry; 81; 4 Wd.; 10-23- 

20; 24. 
Steele, Capt. Jno. N.; U. S. A.; 26; 

killed at Ft. Oglethorpe by horse in 

polo game; 11-14-20; 17. 
Behrens, Alfred H.; 67; 1 Wd.; 11-16- 

20; 17; (Oakland). 
Fleetwood, Geo. W.; 82; C. S. A.; Tul- 
sa, Okla.; 11-17-20; 19. 
Hagin, J. S.; 55; E. Rome; 12-3-20; 5. 
Trammell, Mrs. Henry; 70; N. Rome; 

12-23-20; 26; (Oakland). 
Hine, Henry J.; 55; E. Rome; 12-30- 

20; 31. 

1921. 

Hardin, A. D.; 77; N. Rome; 1-8-21; 

10. 
Appleton, Mrs. Jessica Branham; 52; 
res. and dd. Washington, D. C.; 2- 
1-21; 4. 
Simmons, W. S.; 68; 2-13-21; 14. 
Johns, D. B.; 39; res. Berry Schls; 2- 

12-21; 14. 
Garlington, Mrs. Annie; 68; 1 Wd.; 2- 

25-2; 27. 
Hughes, Benj. L; 67; 3-18-21; 20. 
Bowie, Jno. M.; 75; res. and dd. An- 

niston; 3-19-21; 21. 
Terhune, Mrs. Susie Bowie; 65; 5-23- 

21; 25. 
Maddox, Mrs. Frank; 32; 6-13-21; 14. 
Burks, Peter D.; 65; 2 Ave., 1917, ac- 
cident Southern railway, Ala.; 6- 
21-21; 23. 
Hamilton, David Blount; 61; "Thorn- 
wood;" 7-7-21; 11. 
Wyatt, Mrs. Frances R.; 61; 8-5-21; 6. 
Shanklin, Almeron Waltxjn; 33; Lieut,. 
U. S. A.; killed October 15, 1918, 
in Argonne Forest Drive, France; 
funeral and interment Sept. 2, 1921. 
Sexton, W. T.; 70; 4 W.; 9-5; 7. 
Camp, F. B.; 26; U. S. A.; 9-21; 21. 
Fickling, Mrs. W. H. ; 53; 10-8; 10. 
Dykes, Mrs. Dr. J. H.; 80; 10-13; 14. 
Hill, Hiram D.; 79; broke hip in fall; 

10-22; 23. 
Johnson, Joe; 57; killed, 10-23, in 4 W.; 

25. 
Attaway, Wm. Jos. ; 21 ; died from bat- 
tle wounds in France, June, 1918; 
11-11. 
Daniel, Wm. LaFayette; 69; E. Rome; 

11-16; 17. 
Hurt, A. F.; 92; died 11-22 in Gordon 

Co.; 22. 
Barnes, George, 68; killed by Southern 
train at Tannery, 12-2; 4. 




^2^^^.;^..^?-^ ^:%J>:^~-. 



616 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 







I'Slt^^ 



MONEY THAT WILL NEVER COME BACK. 

Confederate Government and state bills in general use during the Civil War, preserved 
here as a reminder of the South of slavery and plantation days. This money gradually* 
depreciated until at the end of the war a trunkful would just about buy a square meal, if 
such could be found. Stacks of it are still in the possession of families who have never 
become reconciled to the new order of things. 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



617 



Norton, Mrs. Henry C; 67; 12-8; 10. 
Armstrong, John; 40; res. Floyd Co.; 

died Asheville, N. C; 12-10; 12. 
McClure, Hunter; 35; U. S. Army; 

died in France, 1918; 12-14. 
Ross, Walter; 51; 12-18; 20. 
Hamilton, Henry; 36; died at Annis- 

ton, Ala.; 12-24; 26. 
Doug-herty, Wm.; 72; E. Rome; 12-31; 

Jan. 2. 

1922. 

Clements, Cicero T.; 80; E. Rome; 
1-13; 15. 

Morris, S. W.; 65; 1-16; 17. 

Earle, W. Cull; 45; E. Rome; 1-17; 18. 

Pendley, John; 26; died at Lindale 
1-21; 22. 

Stokes, J. B.; 32; dd. at Anchor Duck 
Mill; 1-21; 22. 

Battey, Mrs. Robert; 91; dd. Sunday, 
Feb. 5, at 400 First Ave.; 6, Bat- 
tey vault. 

Clements, P. P.; 75; 2-6; 6, in Oak- 
land cemetery. 

Morton, H. D.; 31; dd. 3-2, in Shreve- 
port, La.; 5. 

Sanders, Mrs. D. B.; 67; dd. at Birm- 
ingham, Ala.; 3-24; 26. 

Dempsey, L. A.; 54; 3-30; Apr. 1. 

Bower, Jno. A.; 72; E. Rome; 4-8; 10. 

Hughes, Roy; 38; dd. 4-8 in Fla.; 10. 

*Omberg, Miss Julia; 80; 4-18; 20. 

Penn, J. C; 58; 4-26; 27. 

Burnes, Hugh; 30; dd. 5-4 as result of 
shell shock as soldier in France; 5. 

Parks, Mrs. Hugh B.; 65; E. Rome; 
5-13; 14. 



Reece, J. Walter; 69; 4 W.; 5-10; 11. 

Jones, J. Walter; 30; killed by electric 
shock; 5-15. 

Hawkins, Weldon W.; 42; E. Rome; 
5-18; 19. 

Quinn, Mrs. F. E.; 62; 5-22; 24. 

Wright, Jule; 35; dd. 5-25 in Okla.; 
28 

Hall, Mrs. F. N.; 36; 5-28; 30. 

Collier, Mrs. J. A.; 82; Floyd Co.; 
6-5; 6. 

McLain, Dan; 65; dd. 6-5, in Atlanta; 7. 

Slaton, G. A.; 70; 6-9; 11. 

Branham, Judge Joel; 87; dd. 6-16 at 
101 2d Ave.; 18. 

Frasier, Miss Florence; 18; 4 W.; 6-24; 
25. 

Stribling, Miss Catherine; 51; Nash- 
ville, Tenn.; dd. Rome; 7-4; 5. 

Cothran, Mrs. H. D.; 83; dd. Wash- 
ington, D. C; 7-5; 8. 

Glover, Capt. J. A.; 74; 4 W.; 7-7; 9. 

Colclough, Mrs. S. F.; 85; dd. 7-12, at 
Carrollton ; 13. 

"^* Wright, Adaline Allman; 94; dd. 
Mentone, Ala.; 7-24; 25. 

Cherry, Lemuel; 12; 4 W.; drowned 
8-10 in Horseleg lake; 12; Oak- 
land. 

McHenrv, Mrs. W. S.; 70; died 8-18 in 
S. Ga.; 20. 

Dunn. W. M.; 74; 9-1; 3. 

Bradford, Mrs. Mary A.; 88; 9-2; 3. 



*Miss Omberg was the first subject of the so- 
called Battey operation, performed at her cot- 
tage home, 615 W. First St., Aug. 27, 1872. 
She died of organic heart trouble. 

**At the time of her death, Mrs. Wright 
was probably the oldest white person in Rome. 



MYRTLE HILL ADDENDA. 

Little of the following information appears elsewhere herein. The data was 
taken from headstones and slabs because it could not be obtained from the sex- 
ton's records. 



The Axson lot: 

Jane M. Stevens, born in Liberty County, Ga., Oct. 31, 1814; died March 15, 
1897. 

Janie, wife of Rev. Sam'l. Edward Axson, born Sept. 8, 1838; died at Rome, 
Nov, 4, 1881. "Asleep in Jesus." 

Rev. Samuel Edward Axson, who departed this life May 28, 1884, aged 47 
years, 5 mos. For 17 years pastor of the Rome Presbyterian church. "While yet iA 
the noonday of life, in the heat of a well-fought fight, the Master called him to 
his exceeding great reward." 

"Sacred to the memory of Ellen Louise Axson, born 15 May, 1860 at Savan- 
nah, Ga., died 6 Aug., 1914, at Washington, D. C. 

" 'A traveler between life and death 
The reason firm, the temperate will, 
Endurance, foresight, strength and skill 
A perfect woman, nobly planned. 
To warn, to comfort and command; 
And yet, a spirit still and bright. 
With something of angelic light.' " 



618 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




FLOYD COUNTY HOMES AND BURIAL GROUNDS. 

At top, the Philip Walker Hemphill lot at DeSoto Park, containing the first wife and 
two children of one of the founders of Rome; the James Hemphill-Jones-JoUy home on the 
Cave Spring road, near which in a private lot lie the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mont- 
gomery; the Wm. S. Gibbons (Jos. Ford) home, also in Vann's valley, built by Jos. Ford, 
who lies buried in the 50-toot square lot seen at the bottom. 



Dr. Homer Virgil Milton Miller; born Apr. 29, 1814; died May 31, 1896. "A 
Christian who faithfully served his God, a physician who loved his fellow man, 
a soldier and a senator from Georgia. He never did anything that caused a citizen 
of Georgia to put on mourning. Adsum." 

Rachel Cheri Miller, wife of Gen. Andrew Miller; died Aug. 15, 1841, aged 58. 

Sarah Joyce Alexander; died Mar. 6, 1895. "She stretcheth out her hand to 
the poor, yes, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy." 



1892. 



Our mother: Sarah, wife of Henry J. Dick; born May 2, 1820; died Jan. 17, 





/ 



<2-^^~z— <--<7- ^—^ 



i^A 



620 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

Henry J. Dick; born Mar. 27, 1814; died July 22, 1866. 
Hal B. Dick; born Mar. 17, 1853; died Sept. 24, 1894. 
Benj. A. Dick; born Nov. 26, 1844; died Sept. 30, 1868. 



Cunningham M. Pennington; died Aug. 23, 1885, aged 73. His wife, Elizabeth 
Freeman; died Jan. 5, 1873, aged 58. 



Jno. Temple Graves lot: Grandmother, Lucretia Calhoun, wife of Dr. H. H, 
Townes, later of Dr. DeGraff enried ; died 1881. Favorite niece of Jno. C. Calhoun. 
A noble woman of the old regime." 



Our mother: Mrs. Sabrey Hemphill; born Apr. 21, 1772; died May 12, 1872, 
100 years and 21 days. 



Dr. J. H. Nowlin; born Oct. 20, 1822; died May 15, 1871. 



Mary A. Choice; born Mar. 6, 1809; died Oct. 26, 1870. 



Samuel Gibbons; born in the Valley of Virginia, June 17, 1806; died Aug. 
27, 1870. 



Susan Farrar Shelton; born June 12, 1809, at Charlottesville, Va.; died Mar. 
28, 1869. 



Fleming Rice; born Mar. 5, 1802; died Apr. 24, 1873, and wife, M. E. A. Ar- 
rington; born Apr. 21, 1817; died Jan. 26, 1865. 



Sarah R.. daughter of W. B. and Elizabeth A. Lowery; born July 30, 1851; 
died Feb. 26, 1856. 



Marina, wife of Thos. Pollard; born Apr. 6, 1800; died Apr. 6, 1858. (This 
was one of the first burials in Myrtle Hill). 



Jordan Reese; born June 20, 1842; died at Culpepper, Va., Aug. 18, 1861, 
from wounds received Apr. 21, 1861, at the First Battle of Manassas. 

Louisa Reese, wife of Dr. Jordan Reese; died May 13, 1864, aged 55. 

Dr. Jordan Reese; died May 10, 1849, aged 50. 

G. B. T. Moore; born Nov. 1, 1833 in Greenville District, S. C; died Mar. 29, 
1861; M. H. Reese; born June 3, 1831; died May 19, 1863, at Rome. 



Dr. James R. Smith; born Mar. 3, 1824; died July 3, 1857. (Two infant sons 
are buried in the Smith lot). (One of first interments). 

Asahel R. Smith; born Aug. 20, 1774; died June 25, 1875. (Father of Maj. 
Chas. H. Smith, "Bill Arp"). 



Bayard E. Hand, Lt. U. S. Navy; born Mar. 25, 1830, at Darien, Ga.; died 
July 16, 1885 Wilmington, N. C. "The anchor of his soul was faith in Christ." 



Mary A. Jones, wife of B. F. Jones; died Dec. 13, 1862. "For so He giveth 
his beloved sleep." 



Rev. Jas. F. Swanson; born Jan. 27, 1825; died Oct. 28, 1869. 
Lt. Col. Armistead Richardson Harper, 1 Ga. cavalry, C. S. A.; born Mar. 
4, 1835; died Oct. 28, 1863, of wounds received in battle. 

Roena Harper; born Nov. 17, 1870; died Sept. 27, 1894. 



Mary J. A. Selkirk, relict of James McGlashan, of Edinburgh, Scotland; 
died Dec. 31, 1870, aged 79. 



Alexander McDonald; born Apr. 13, 1797, in Mcintosh County, Ga.; died 
at Rome, Oct. 6, 1879, aged 82; Martha Morton, wife of J. C. McDonald; born 
May 5, 1840, in Athens, Ga.; died at Rome Apr. 1, 1880, aged 40. 



J. R. Stevens; born March 22, 1822; died Feb. 11, 1871. 

Thos. McCulloch, a native of Scotland, late secretary of the Cornwall (Ala.) 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



621 



MAP OF 



FLOYD COUNTY f/H 

SCALE 9 MILES TO ONE INCH /; i'i\ 



> 

I- 
Z 

o 



OherHitace 




K-TLT 



OCAVC SPCS., 

POUK ecu NTY 



Langdon Bowie; born Aug. 27, 1806; died July 27, 1870. 
Iron Works; died July 22, 1880; aged 69. 



Elizabeth Yarborough, wife of Wm. Davis; born Feb. 27, 1795; died July 
30, 1869. 



America Addaline, wife of Daniel Walker; died Jan. 24, 1871, at 24. 
John Robinson; born Jan. 8, 1808; died Feb. 3, 1868; aged 60. 
Annie E. Wright, only daughter of G. H. and A. Gardner; born Dec. 14, 
1850; died Sept. 13, 1878. 

On the topmost peak of Myrtle Hill Cemetery, looking to the west, is the 
heroic marble monument to the heroes of the Confdracy. On a large pedestal 
stands a Confederate soldier at parade rest, facing the west. Inscriptions say: 

"This monument is the testimony of the present to the future that these were 
they who kept the faith given them by the fathers. Be it known by this token that 
these men were true to the traditions of their country's call; steadfast in their 
duty, faithful even in despair, and illustrated in the unflinching heroism of their 
deaths, the free-born courage of their lives." 

"They have crossed the river and sleep beneath the shade." 

"How well they served the faith their people know. A thousand battlefields 
attest, dungeon and hospital bear witness. To their sons they left but honor and 



622 A History of Rome and Floyd County 

their country. Let this stone forever warn those who keep these valleys that only 
their sires are dead — the principles for which they fought can never die." 

"The Confederate States of America, 22 Feb., 1862. Deo Vindice. Erected by 
the Women of Rome to the memory of the soldiers of Floyd County, Ga., who 
died in defense of the Confederate States of America, 1861-65." 



CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS' SECTION. 

In the part of Myrtle Hill Cemetery reserved for the deceased of the Civil 
War are 377 graves. Thig number includes 81 Confederate unknown and two un- 
known of the Federal Army. These Boys in Gray died at or near Rome; most of 
them succumbed to wounds or disease in Rome hospitals, while some were killed 
in defending Rome against Sherman's army in May, 1864, and in skirmishes 
before and after that date. The dead soldiers sleep with their heads pointed 
toward the beautiful Coosa Valley and their feet pointed northeastward toward 
Rome. Over the graves of the departed are simple headstone slabs of gray marble 
about 20 inches high. 

In the list are many honored names from the Southern States. Included is one 
Spanish-American War veteran — E. L. Ellis, of Co. D, 3rd Ga., U. S. Volunteers. 



The first abbreviation refers to the company to which the soldier belonged; 
the second and third refer to his regiment and state: 

J. W. Grizzard, K-8 S. C; Fred Waylnnd, 7 Ala.; Capt. A. C. Wells, F-51 Ga.; 

J. Batson, G-27 Miss.; — Burney, ; Captain W. H. Lawrence, 8 Ala. cavalry; 

Melvin, ; J. W. Corprew, I-l Tex. Legion, Ross' Brigade; S. F. Mapp, 

A-28 Miss, cavalry; J. P. Z. Bragg, F-8 Miss.; Lt. R. W. Echols, Floyd Infantry, 
8-Ga.; Quillian V. Hayes, B-23 Ga.; (died July 14, 1918). 

J. F. Kelley, D-20 Ga. (died Jan. 17, 1909; 65 years of age) ; J. R. Slaughter, 
E-3 Ark.; J. J. Morrison, ; J. C. M., G-43 Ga.; Jasper Corbet, G-4 Ga. cav- 
alry; Albert Lewis, A-8 Miss.; M. Cornelius, E-28 Ala.; H. H. Albritton, B-5 Miss. 

cavalry; G. W. Woodward, D-5 Miss, cavalry; M. McGilvray, ; M. Rait, 

E-36 Ala.; Geo. Rose, C-6 Tex.; R. T. Bonter, E-18 N. C. 

A. F. Mauks, 54 Va.; T. Tucker, K-21 Tenn.; A. H. Bradshaw, C-38 Tenn.; 
J. A. Estill, D-9 Ky.; J. T. Jowers, F-46 Ga.; J. L. Turner, D-1 Ky. ; Jno. Phipps, 
D-21 Miss.; Robt. Miller, 27 Ga.; A. McCrow. 63 Va.; W. G. Austin, C-19 La.; 
W. Sanders, A-63 Tenn.; J. L. Henderson, F-3 Ga.; J. Phillips, K-47 Ga.; J. H. 
Bray. 44 Tenn.; J. P. Nowland, 4 Ln. battery; O. Miller, E-36 Ala.; N. A. Basshaw, 
1-54 Va.; J. W. Pratt, D-54 Va.; J. Temple, G-50 Ga. 

J. C. Sheppard, 33 Ala.; Jno. Glohasey, C-11 Tenn.; C. D. Coleman, A-54 Ala.; 
W. Griffin, 44 Miss.; E. G. Denton. 25 La.; W. H. Wiley, K-51 Tenn.; J. W. Lee, 
E-26 Ga.; N. Morris, 56 Ga.; J. C. Brown, B Fla.; J. Durrett, F-15 Ala.; D. R. 
Malo, F-8 Tenn.; W. G. Stone, F-45 Miss.; J. Ester, G-50 Ala.; A. S. Wilson, D-19 
Ala.; J. W. Wells, D-1 Ala. cavalry; P. B. Bird, D-36 Ala.; J. Murray, D-3 Ark. 

M. Williams, 54 Va.; James Gregg ; Isaac Moss, D-24 Miss.; W. Keelan, 

1-26 Tenn.; W. D. Bavne, D-9 Ga.; J. R. Thweatt, K-17 Miss.; Jno. West, A. 
Hampton's Legion; J. Fulmer, C-25 Ala.; F. Noel, F-3 Tenn.; G. W. Beach, C-19 
Tenn.; J. Bartlett, K-28 Tenn.; G. B. Andrews, H-16 Ala.; A. Wyatt Prior, K-18 
Tex.; Chas. Moster, F-65 Ga.; J. S. Losey, F-33 Ala. 

Chas. Foster. F-65 Ga.; J. G. Baley, Ga. State troops; J. R. Daniel, E-26 
Tenn.; J. J. Groome, E-59 Ala.; E. L. McLendon, C-36 Ala.; J. O. Hunter, Pharis' 
Engineers; J. L. Barksdale, B-41 Miss.; J. Meadows, Saf ton's regiment; J. Cow- 

erel, B Tenn.; Phillips, Va.; W. C. Sparkman, 5-32 Tenn.; S. Crevison, 

Cobb's Ga. battery; J. M. Hill, D-58 Ala.; Sgt. Curry, ; R. B. Greer, F-16 

S. C; E. C. Murdoch, E-10 Tenn. 

Wm. Arrowsmith, B-32 Tenn.; Jas. H. Meneose, Cynthiana, Ky.; J. S. Cashan, 
A. Henderson's regiment; D. Davis, A-8 Tenn.; M. Mahan, C-10 Tenn.; A. S. 
Parker, H. Henderson's regiment; P. Wright, E-1 Ark.; H. Rains, D Tenn.; W. H. 
Purdue, C-2 Tenn.; Wm. Lard, A-4 battalion; N. O. E. Stone, A-10 Miss.; T. Jor- 
dan, H-8 Miss.; Rev. E. N. Poland, (member Ga. Conference, Methodist church), 
46 Ga.; J. Davenport, C-8 Tenn.; J. M. Heard, 13 La. sharpshooters; T. Tallison, 
E-16 S. C. 

J. Arly, A-29 Miss.; D. Murdock, F-41 Ga.; J. Floyd, E-16 S. C; R. W. Rog- 
ers, C-19 Ala.; W. E. Yort, D-30 Miss.; J. H. Adaway, H-14 Ark.; J. G. Cowan, 
G-18 Ala.; J. R. Hunt, H-41 Mss.; A. J. Harwell, H-32 Tenn.; Wm. Knight, B-29 
La.; A. Babbet, G-8 Confederate cavalry; A. Scroggins, D-18 Ala.; S. Tilton, 4—; 



Myrtle Hill Cemetery Interments 



623 




FOUR VIEWS IN MYRTLE HILL CEMETERY 

Rome from the hill top, with the Battey vault in the foreground; tomb "f B^nj C. Yancey. 

United States Minister to Argentine; grave of Mrs. Woodrow Wilson (nee Ellen Lou AxsonJ, 

wUh headstone selected by the President; resting places of some 300 Confederate soldiers 
■who died or were killed at Rome. 



624 A History of Rome and Floyd County 



H, J. Middleton. D-1 — : C. Bruce, South Carolina: J. H. McKnight, G-10 Tex.: 
S. 0. Young, C-24 S. C. 

S. L. Ambrose, 10 Ky.; J. Gileas, A-Ala.; E. Herran, F-24 S. C; N. A. Ran- 
kin, A-24 Tex.; Wiggins; David Phillips, E-58 N. C; J. C. Day, E-6 Tenn.; 

Col. Jno. R. Hart, 6 Ga. cavalry, died Aug. 6, 1886 (shaft erected by comrades and 
friends) ; J. Phillips, H-19 Ala.; J. R. Coulder, A-4 Ark.; J. M. Haynie, C-6 Tenn.; 
Wm. Bolton, . 

W. M. Davis, F-28 Ala.; E. F. Gordon, 1-24 Miss.; E. S. Godard, 33 Tenn.; E. 
Horn, B-9 S. C; B. Bradwell, A-30 Miss.; S. L. Jones, A-31 Miss.; W. S. Bil- 
lingslea, D-28 Tenn.; R. G. Omen, C-31 Ark.; Jno. Wilson, 29 N. C. ; R. E. Davis, 
A-26 Miss.; Jos. P. Brown, D. Murray's battery; Sgt. Jas. A. Currie, B-9 Tenn; 

Langford, K-10 Miss.; B. F. Tubb, K-27 Miss.; D. Browman, F-29 Tenn.; 

J. W. Queen, ; , K-46 Miss.; M. Camp, G-25 Ala.; Jno. Stone, F-19 S. C. 

S. Caldvirell, D-28 Ala.; D. Caffman, C-39 N. C; J. D. Smith, 39 Ala.; A. Sur- 
rat, 4 Tenn.; Chris Jones, 1-9 Ky.; H. B. Melton, E-24 Ala.; J. N. Seyler, A-30 

Miss.; A. D. Parker, D-3 Ala.; Wm. Carter,E-26 Ala.; J. J. G. ; M. S. Dodd, 

G-22 Ala.; S, F. Graham, H-27 Miss.; A. J. Jones, D-39 N. C; Jno. Privatt, A-44 
Tenn.; J. L. Shepard, F-10 Tex.; W. R. G., Ark. cavalry; A. Reynolds, H-34 Miss. 

A. B. Lane, D-27 Miss.; W. H. Graves, 10 Tex.; H. C. B., A-26 Ala.; H. A. 
Cagle, B-34 Ala.; F. M. Bailey, G-25 Ala.; W B. Goodwin, 79 Miss.; R. Elliott, 
Eufaula battery; R. H. Bayne, 1-29 Miss.; D. Jackson, E-28 Ala.; M. Diton, C-28 
Ala.; James Raney, F-10 Tex.; S. R. Allen, E-39 Ala.; Jno. Coffee, C-26 Ala.; 
S. B. Nelson, A-19 Ala.; S. M. Bennett, H-28 Ala.; J. P. Coins, 25 Miss.; R. C. 
Hayes (born May 14, 1842, died Dec. 8, 1916), E-1 Ga. battalion; W. M. Kelly, 
(born Aug. 1, 1835, died Nov. 13, 1909; four years in army); J. W. Goodwin,, 
B-26 Ala. 

P. Warseburn, B-Am. Ga. Vols.; J. C. Paris, E-23 Miss.; Albert Jones, 1-23 
Miss.; J. A. Stafford, A-30 Miss.; A. M. Dunn, K-30 Miss.; J. Randolph, B-25 
Ark.; R. J. Childs, B-26 Miss.; Jno. Hyatt, A. Rope's battery; W. Williams, C-5 
Ark.; J. Walton, 27 Miss.; P. A. Vinson, 45 Ala.; J. M. Gray, B-4 — ; W. Denton, 
C-41 Miss.; J. Dickey, H-28 Ala.; R. L. S., — ; W. N. McAruilty, E-19 Tex.; 
Jno. Hill, B-29 Miss. 

N. H. Sanders, B-39 N. C; E. Smith, H-15 Ark.; C. Buckner, E-31 Ala.; S. C. 
Smith, C-30 Miss.; Jno. Till, H-15 Tex. cavalry; J. W. Armes, G-23 Miss.; J. T. 
McCarthy, — ; Ed Riley, H Ala.; L. Poe, D-34 Miss.; F. M. Thornton, E-8 Tenn.; 
Lt. J. M. Sumner, B-28 Tenn.; Capt. Jno. N. Perkins, Rome, Ga., (born Dec. 2, 
1822, died Feb. 15, 1896; a gallant soldier and a brave man. 

R. T. McGaskill, L-13 T^enn.; J. E. Hicks, K-37 Miss.; J. T. Wilbanks, K-10 
Miss.; J. A. Reeves, C-4 Tenn.; W. N. Holt, E-26 Ala.; M. McAuley, D-34 Miss.; 
F. M. Robinson. B-4 Ark.; F. M. Mayhew, 41 Miss.; R. E. Bennett, 2 Ark.; E. L. 
Ellis, D-3 Ga., U. S. Vols., Spanish-American war (died Sept. 3, 1898) ; W. G. H. 
Howard, E-1 Mo.; W. J. Smith, G-19 Ala.; Jno. Mull, B-31 Ark.; J. D. Pullen, 
D-3 — ; P. R. Shipley, H-37 Miss.; J. C. Betterton, H-27 Miss. 

C. Bernard, G-30 Miss.; O. R. Brown, A-47 Tenn.; M. V. Warren, H-8 Miss.; 
Unknown, 28 Ala.; E. Hyatt, C-22 Ala.; Reuben Riggs, 31 Ark.; W. J. Steele, G-39 

N. C; Cornelius, B-28 Ala.; W. T. Mitchell, F-24 Miss.; B. O. Tidwell, 

K-11 Tenn.; S. M. McDonald, F-7 Miss; Wieb, C-28 -Ala.; Mr. King, A-25 

Ala.; J. C. Greenway, D-22 Ala.; W. R. Harowick, B-19 S. C; W. S. Dellis, H-38 
Tenn. 

J. H. Young, A-25 Ala.; E. G. Lester, A-28 Ala.; S. W. Masters, 1-24 Ala.; 
J. P. Vaughn, D-25 Ala.; J. C. Thehoine, C-37 Miss.; J. D. Hill, G-26 Ala; J. 
Smith, K-29 Tenn.; Jno. McGhor, E-9 Ala.; Josiah GriflRn, — battery, — ; D. Mc- 
Junkin, F-19 Tenn.; J. M. Mitchell, 26 Ala.; O. W. Martin, Eufaula battery; A. 
Vaughn, B-33 Ala.; C. C. Hall, E-26 Ala.; D. Page, A-25 Ala.; R. E. Howard, 
C-45 Ala.; W. J. Burden, D-9 Ga.; W. M. Hill, — ; J. H. Woolbright, E-41 Miss.; 
J. R. Giles, H-10 S. C. 

C. M. , G-43 Ga.; J. Rachel, 3 Ga. battalion; D. W. Lane, F-34 Miss.; 

E. Glamron, Walters' battery; J. M. Breckenridge, H-41 Miss.; S. T. Warthen, C-4 
Ala.; B. F. Suttle, 6 Ky.; H. Pearce, 34 Ala.; I. J. Valentine, 1-39 Ala.; J. W. 
Kingrel, Biggs' cavalry company; I. Faulkner, C-2 Ark.; H. M. Coffee. K-39 
N. C; F. M. McAllister, C-18 Ala.; T. H. Lansdell, A-24 Miss.; W. A. Aikin, 19 
Ala.; J. W. Jamison, E-10 Miss.; E. Moore, K-38 Tenn.; S Travis, H-27 Miss; J. 
W. McLowan, H-27 Miss.; E. Hyatt, C-22 Ala. 



Other Cemetery Occupants 



625 




626 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



MYRTLE HILL SEXTONS. 

No record is available of the early sextons, from 1857, when Myrtle Hill was 
opened, through 1873. The following others have served: 

1874-1885, Jas. E. Mullen; 1885-7, W. Mayfield Neal; 1887-92, Jas. E. Mullen; 
1892-97, Peter David Roser; 1897, Fred S. House (ad interim); 1897-1906, C. L. 
King; 1906-12, Alvin D. Hardin; 1912-22, C. L. King (now serving). 



THE PHILIP W. HEMPHILL GRAVEYARD. 
This mortal sanctuary reposes in a grove of oaks and hickories on the top 
of the hill between DeSoto (Mobley) Park lake and the street car line, about 100 
yards west of the old home of Philip Walker Hemphill, and contains the sacred 
dust of the following: 



Elizabeth Cunningham Hemphill, 
first wife of Philip W. Hemphill, died 
Apr. 9, 1844; aged 34 years and 24 
days. Two daughters, Margaret Jane 
Hemphill, who died July 3, 1837; aged 
3 years, 3 months, 14 days, and Nancy 
whose slab contains the date 1841 but 
is otherwise indistinct. Mrs. Hemp- 
hill's slab states that she was for six- 
teen years a member of the Presbyte- 



rian church. James M. Cunningham, 
born Jan. 26, 1821, died Oct. 22, 1851. 
These graves are boxed over, with 
flat slabs on top. Fifteen feet north- 
west of the four are headstone and 
footstone marking the grave of a 
daughter of Samuel and Mary G. Mob- 
ley; time and weather have erased the 
first name and the dates of birth and 
death. 



THE JOHN HUME CEMETERY. 
This private burial ground was established by John Hume, the pioneer, on 
his country estate, "Tantatanara'' ("Running Waters") on the Southern railway 
two miles north of North Rome and about two miles east of the Oostanaula 
river. It is 1,500 feet northwest of the old home. In this lonely spot, nurtured 
by the gentle breezes and the glamour of the long ago, sleep the following in 
peace everlasting: 

John Hume, senior, born Charles- 
ton, S. C, Feb. 8, 1798, died Rome, Ga., 
Oct. 19, 1872. 

Ann Mazyck, wife of John Hume, 
born July 10, 1818, died May 14, 1881. 
John Hume, Jr., born June 24, 1834, 
died May 11, 1888. 

Ariana S., wife of John Hume, Jr., 
born Apr. 6, 1830, died Dec. 6, 1878. 

Anne W. Hume, born Dec. 18, 1831, 
died Feb. 13, 1884. 

Eliza Simons, born July 29, 1834, 
died Feb. 4, 1858. 

Isaac Wilson Hume, born May 3, 
1836, died July 11, 1880. 

Chas. C. Hume, born Oct. 30, 1867, 
died July 24, 1876. 

Leila Ada Hume, born May 6, 1858, 
died 16th; (year and month not given). 

James O'Hear Hume, born Apr. 5, 
1851, died June 30, 1852. 

Harriet W. Hume, born July 15, 
1860, died May 1, 1862. 

John H. Hume, born June 24, 1870, 

died July 9, 1876. 

::>^^ Twelve Humes are buried there, and 

"'■^™ the only others are two or three of 

the children of Jim Berry, who used 

THE HUME cemetery North Rome on nearby. The Berry children's 

land which was once the home of Jno. '^ ^^^^ ncaiuy. ' , ^'■'■■' 

Ridge and the pow-wow site of the Cherokees. graves are not marked. 




Other Cemetery Occupants 



627 




BEAUTIFUL SUBJECTS IN BEAUTIFUL SETTINGS 

Graduation procession of Shorter College, "Maplehurst," 1919, at top. The seniors are 
accompanied by the sophomores bearing daisy chain, and the sophomores followed by the 
juniors. In the central picture Miss Sarah Glover, '22, drives the prize-winning Shorter float 
in the Home-coming parade, Oct. 13, 1921. At the bottom is the prize float of 1920. 



628 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



OCCUPANTS OF THE OLD SEVENTH AVENUE CEMETERY. 

Note: The cemetery that usually goes by the above title was known to some 
as "Oak Hill." The first burials appears to have been those of James McEntee 
and Mrs. Rebecca Mann, in 1837, and the last of Thos. Jefferson Helm, in 1904. 
The place was generally abandoned in 1857, when Myrtle Hill Cemetery was 
opened up by the city, and since then all but perhaps 100 of the deceased have 
been removed to the new burial place. Its location is on Seventh Avenue, three 
blocks north of the City Auditorium, overlooking the Oostanaula river and within 
sight of the home of Major Ridge. Notes are appended below in the hope that 
the preservation of these fragments of the past will constitute a service and an 
inspiration to future generations. 



Judge William H. Underwood, father 
of Judge Jno. W. H. Underwood, and 
an important figure in the removal of 
the Cherokee Indians west, sleeps in 
an unmarked grave. 

Dr. George Magruder Battey's grave 
was once surmounted by a flat, vine- 
covered slab which contained the single 
word "George," laced there by his 
wife, Emily Verdery Battey, a native 
of Augusta. It has been lost with num- 
erous others. Dr. Battey was born in 
1826 at Augusta, and died in 1856 at 
Rome; aged 30. 

Other graves : 

John Henry Lumpkin, born June 13, 
1812, died July 10, 1860. The shaft to 
Judge Lumpkin is of white marble, 
about 12 feet high, and is the largest in 




THE JNO. H. LUMPKIN SHAFT in the 
old cemetery, beneath which sleeps a jurist 
and Congressman. 



the cemetery. On it are Masonic sym- 
bols. He was once a member of Con- 
gress. 

Dr. John Noble's grave is covered 
with a raised slab of gray stone and on 
it is the inscription "Generous and just. 
He lived and died without an enemy." 
Dr. Noble died November 16, 1848, at 
the age of 24. He was a brother of the 
second wife of Weems Berrien, father 
of Miss Frances Berrien, of Rome, half- 
brother of McPherson Berrien, of Sa- 
vannah, whose only daughter, Lou, 
married Francis S. Bartow, colonel of 
the 8th Georgia Regiment of the Con- 
federacy. 

Robert Ligon, born Feb. 26, 1812; 
died Oct. 23, 1841. 

Esther Ligon, born Dec. 2, 1775; 
died June 10, 1859. Ancestors of Miss 
Lilly Miltchell, of Rome, Mrs. Wm. 
Worth Martin, of Atlanta, and Mrs. 
Geo. Turrentine, of Rome. The Berrien 
children are buried in the lot. 

Mary Elizabeth Reeves, born Dec. 
12, 1826; died Oct. 23, 1847, only child 
of Absalom E. and Eliza Hall Reeves. 

Eliza Hall Reeves, born July 6, 1803, 
died June 20. 1892. Mrs. Reeves taught 
private school on or near Eighth Ave- 
nue near cotton factory and W. & A. 
R. R. Taught Judge John C. Printup 
and many others. She and her husband 
kept the old Exchange Hotel for a time 
and the old Choice House, where the 
Hotel Forrest now stands. 

Jas. H. McEntee, died May 5, 1837, 
aged 4 years, 3 months, 28 days. This 
lad was probably son of Jim McEntee, 
who kept a store and boarding house 
on the north side of Broad street where 
the Martha Berry hospital was later lo- 
cated. The boy was playing near the 
house while workmen were putting up 
lumber, and a piece fell and killed him. 
A granddaughter of Jim McEntee was 
the late Mrs. J. Aiken (Rosalind 
Burns) Gammon. The only daughter 
of the McEntees was Mary Jane, who 
married John T. Burns of South Caro- 
lina, the father of Rosalind Gammon. 
Mr. McEntee was an Irishman and his 
wife a beautiful woman of great refine- 



Other Cemetery Occupants 



629 



ment. Martha Baldwin Smith, living on 
the Alabama Road opposite the Shorter 
College lot, used to spend nights at the 
McEntee's when it was too late to re- 
turn home from school, and Mr. McEn- 
tee would bounce her and Mary Jane 
on his knee. Mr. McEntee in his de- 
clining years lived on a farm on the 
Etowah River near the W. & A. R. R.. 
where his daughter was wooed and won 
by J. Aiken Gammon. 

Henry Montague Burns, son of Wil- 
liam O. and Mary J. Burns; born June 
1853. Died 

Mrs. Mary Amanda Wood, died Aug. 
2, 1856; 29 years old. 

Jacob B. Slavey (of Seavev), born 
April 12, 1817, died Jan. 19, 1852. 

Solomon Stanberry, born Mar. 7, 
1826, died Feb. 24, 1856. 

Mrs. Eliza T. Mobley, died Jan. 31, 
1857 (?) at 38 years. A Mobley in- 
fant rests nearby. 

Two sisters lie side by side. Sallie 
R. Freeman died June 27, 1878 at 20, 
and Mary Joe Freeman Oct. 30, 1876, at 
11 years. "So through the clouds their 
spirits passed into that pure and un- 
known world of love where suffering 
cannot come." 

Mary T. Freeman, born Dec. 16 
1830; died Sept. 23, 1900. 

John R. Freeman, born Apr. 12, 1821 
died June 7, 1896. 

Dennis Parke Hills, born Jan. 20 
1818, died Mar. 15, 1856, and Jonah C. 
1 year old. 

Henry E. Hills, born Oct. 18, 1851 
died Jan. 14, 1864. 

Ann Eliza Hills, born Oct. 27, 1846 
died Mar. 5, 1847. 

Dennis Hills, born Leominster, Mass. 
May 6, 1800, died Mar. 11, 1868; mar 
ried Eliza A. Henderson, Dec. 4, 1834. 

Mrs. Fannie E. Perry, consort of 
Thos. J. Perry, born Feb. 22, 1834, died 
July 2, 1856; 23 years, 4 months, 11 
days. Mr. Perry was Rome's postmas- 
ter for a long time; his wife was kin 
to the Ombergs of Rome. Her grave 
has a flat marble slab over it. 

Mrs. Mary Rogers, born^ Aug. 8, 
1799, died May 3, 1876. Sister of Miss 
Linnie Hargrove's mother; aunt of 
Zachariah B. and Rob Hargrove and 
Mrs. Wm. Fort. Was mother of Jobe 
Rogers. She lived at one time in the 
John J. Seay home, built by the Forts, 
at the southeast corner of Second ave- 
nue and E. Fourth street. Was noted 
for keeping her home in perfect order. 

James R. Ihlv, born Apr. 18, 1815, 
died Nov. 4, 1851. 

Anna Johnston, born May 2, 1797, 
died June 25, 1852. 



Elizabeth E. and John Summers, 
infants. 

Athaliah Adaliza Johnson, died Oct 
9, 1839; 5 years, 11 months, 14 days 

Robertus Johnson, died Oct. 5, 1843 
17 years, 6 months, 27 days. 

Jacob Herndon, died May 11, 1855 
52 years, 7 months, 6 days. 

James M. Herndon, died Feb., 1856 
29 years, 3 months, 19 days. 

Mattie Saurie, died Oct. 4, 1869; 22 
years old. Cynthia M. Saurie, died 
Sept. 9, 1853; 15 years. Mrs. Selma 
Saurie, died Mar. 3, 1895; 83 years, 9 
months. "I have fought a good fight; 
I have finished my course; I have kept 
the faith." Richard E. Saurie, died Feb. 
13, 1850; 34 years. Mrs. Selma Saurie 
was a member of the Methodist church 
and lived near the present home of Mrs. 
Naomi P. Bale. 

Mary E. Winfrey, wife of John B. 
Winfrey, died Sept. 1837, in the John 
Ross home. Fourth Ward, aged 21 
years. 11 months, 29 days. 

Mrs. Anna S. Eddelman, wife of A. 
M. Eddelman, born Nov. 24, 1830, died 
June 21, 1863. 

David Rounsaville, son of David and 
S. Rounsaville, born Nov 16, 1802, died 
Nov. 22, 1845. Sarah Ann Rounsa- 
ville, wife of David Rounsaville, born 
Mar. 12, 1818, died Feb. 4. 1867. 




REV. SAMUEL EDWARD AXSON, the father 
of the first Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, and lead- 
ing Presbyterian divine, once of Augusta. 



630 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 




A GLIMPSE OF THE ABANDONED CEMETERY. 

This property belongs to the city and holds the sacred dust of many old Romans famed 
in song and story. A movement has been started to preserve it like Colonial Park in Sa^ 
vannah, and to connect it with the city's extensive tract on Ft. Jackson Hill. Land in this 
neighborhood can now be had at a reasonable price, and it is in the direct path of the city's 
logical growth. 



Mrs. Elizabeth Rounsaville Conger, 
wife of Abijah Conger, aunt of J. A. 
Rounsaville, born June 21, 1800, died 
May 16, 1872. 

Sophia Amanda Cooper, died Nov. 
16, 1845; aged 20 years, 6 months, 10 
days. 

Jos. R. Scroggs, died Sept. 5, 1847; 
aged 29 years, 4 months, 12 days. 

Margaret L., wife of Allan A. Wil- 
liams and eldest daughter of Jno. M. 
Berrien, born Sept. 15, 1804, at Sa- 
vannah, died Dec. 5, 1851, at her resi- 
dence in Cass county. 

Thos. S. Wright, son of Augustus R. 
and A. E. Wright, born Feb. 14. 1850, 
died Feb. 23, 1866; son of Judge Wright 
and Mrs. Wright; said to have been a 
brilliant speaker, though only 16; 
brother of Seaborn and Moses Wright. 

Emeline, infant daughter of A. R. 
and A. E. Wright, died 1856. 

Jno. L. Holbrook, died May 10, 1872; 
54 years old. Sarah C. Holbrook, died 
May 12, 1882; 53 years old. 

"Johnnie" (on 3-foot pyramid, with 
no other information). 

E. A. Spullock (mother), born Oct. 
22, 1823, died Mar. 15, 1892. J. (Jas.) 
M. Spullock, (father), born Nov. 19, 
1816, died Dec. 5, 1883. The parents of 
Misses Fannie. Ida, Callie and Jessie 
Spullock and of Jamse Spullock. Also: 
"In memory of our little boy, Owen H. 
Spullock, died Nov. 1, 1852; 2 years, 
7 days old." 

Rev. John Hendricks, a Baptist min- 
ister, died June 18, 1856; aged 56. 

The following inscriptions are on the 
monument of Dr. Hendricks : "Thus he 
sleeps, like one who draws the drapery 
of his couch about him and lies down 
to pleasant dreams." "He was lovely 
and pleasant in his life and his body 



rests beneath this memorial. This mon- 
ument is reared by his beloved widow 
and orphan children as a testimonial of 
a servant of Jesus Christ, who like 
Enoch, walked with God, like Abraham 
attained the righteousness of faith, 
and like Paul finished his course with 
joy." 

J. Thos. Hendricks, born March 7, 
1839, died May 14, 1851. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Hendricks, died Jan. 
19, 1873; aged 63. "Illustrious as wife, 
mother and Christian. Our hope, Je- 
sus." 

Mrs. Rebecca Mann, died Feb. 7, 
1837; at 74 years; grandmother of 
Mrs. Hiram Hill and ancestor of her 
descendants. "She died as she had 
lived, a Chirstian. Let this slab pro- 
tect her dust. God shall bid her arise." 

Thomas Hamilton, M. D., born Mar. 
18, 1790, died Oct. 9, 1859. A Mason 
and a Quaker; grandfather of Mrs. 
Annie Freeman Johnson and Mrs. Ju- 
lian Gumming; moved from near Car- 
tersville, Cass county, to Rome. His 
wife, a Miss Glower, was a Methodist. 
Grandfather of Telemon Cruger Smith- 
Cuyler, who lives on Glower place at 
Wayside, Ga. Ancestor of Rome Ham- 
ilton s. 

Mrs. Malinda Hamilton (nee Malin- 
da Glower), born June 4, 1803, died 
June 27, 1882. Was mother of Mrs. 
D. Mack Hood, mother of Mrs. Joel 
Branham. 

George P. Hamilton, M. D., a Ma- 
son, born Nov. 11, 1825, died June 7, 
1859. 

George Thomas Hamilton, born May 
23. 1831. died Nov. 5, 1851. 

Wm. Scott, infant son of C. A. and 
Madeline Hamilton, born Jan. 30, 1853, 
died April 28, 1853. 



Other Cemetery Occupants 



631 



Rosa Hardin Helm, died Apr. 21, 
1900; aged 45 years. Thomas Jefferson 
Helm, born April 17, 1840; died May 17, 
1904. Was from Columbia, Tenn., and 
friend of J. W. Ewing; kin to Spul- 
locks. 

Rebecca Cloud Hardin, died Aug. 9, 
1880; 66 years old. 

Peter Reagan and Nancy Reagan, 



dates of birth and death blank. 

Mrs. Rachel L. Meigs, born July 4, 
1816, died Apr. 22, 1877. Was Rachel 
Reagan. 

Charlotte E. Brown, died Sept. 7, 
1845; aged 21 years, 4 months, 12 days. 

Prunella (?) daughter T. J. and M. 
V. Treadaway, died Dec. 1, 1831; 1 
year, 16 days. 



THE JOSEPH WATTERS BURIAL GROUND. 
On the Calhoun Road, six miles north of Rome, in Ridge Valley, Watters 
District, is the resting place of the rugged pioneer, Joseph Watters, and most of 
his descendants who have gone to their reward. It is near the Watters and Rush 
homes and Floyd County Model School. Eight of the graves are located by small 
rock markers, and the other stones bear the following inscriptions: 
Joseph Watters, born Feb. 24, 1792, 1839, died Aug. 13, 1811; Sarah Cor- 



died Mar. 1, 1866; Elizabeth Watters, 
(his wife), born June 23, 1779, died 
Feb. 19, 1881; William Watters, born 
Mar. 20, 1820, died Sept. 7, 1886; Su- 
san Antoinette Watters, born Nov. 12, 



nelia Watters, wife of James M. Wat- 
ters, bom Aug., 1850, died May, 1914; 
Thos. Jackson Davis, born July 9, 
1862, died July 23, 1909, and an in- 
fant son of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Jackson 
Davis, died Mar. 9, 1906. 



HEBREW CEMETERY INTERMENTS. 

A partial list of well-known persons buried in the Jewish Cemetery, near 
Silver Creek in South Rome, follows : 

Ed J. Esserman, died Dec. 21, 1907; David Esserman, died March 14, 1917; 
Moritz Spiegelberg, died April 19, 1913; Benj. Franklin, died Jan. 2, 1915; Phillip 
Cohen, died Nov. 30. 1886; Henry Kuttner, died June 4, 1890; Jacob Kuttner, died 
May 16, 1905; F. Abramson, died April 2, 1922. 



J^gniappe 



LANGLEY RAPS SNOBBERY. 

By Lee J. Langley. 

These be evil days for snobs and 
snobbery. Practically all the authors 
of the late popular books have turned 
the X-ray on the warped and festering 
torso of the snob, and the public has 
first laughed at his puny soul, and then 
grieved over his misfortune. 

The moving pictures are beginning to 
hold him up to ridicule and scorn, and 
to portray him as a social blight and a 
public nuisance. 

His neighbors, at the risk of giving 
offense, are courageously trying to 
purge the community of him. During 
the past week George Battey took a 
well-aimed shot at his nest, as did like- 
wise my conservative friend. Editor 
Ciair Rowell. Mr. Battey called the 
practice of snobbery the "old order" of 
things, and declared we must abandon 
it. Editor Rowell called it provincial- 
ism, and said we must modernize with 
the times. 



I call it plain damphoolishness; 
symptoms of a crippled mentality. 

Edith Wharton's book, "The Age of 
Innocence,'' took the Pulitzer prize 
of $1,000 for the best book of 1920 por- 
traying American character and tradi- 
Thos. Jackson Davis, born July 9, 
Innocence" says of the snob: 

"Culture! Yes, if you only had it! 
But there are just a few little local 
patches, dying out here and there for 
lack of — well, hoeing and cross ferti- 
lizing; the last remnants of the old Eu- 
ropean traditions that your forebears 
brought with them. But you're in a 
pitiful little minority. You've got no 
center, no competition, no audience. 
You're like the pictures on the walls 
of a deserted house; the portrait of a 
gentleman. You'll never amount to any- 
thing, any of you, till you roll up your 
sleeves and get right down into the 
muck. That, or emigrate." 

Sinclair Lewis, in his "Main Street." 
asks, "Why try to reform them when 
dvnamite is so cheap?" 



632 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



Snobbery cost Chas. Evans Hughes, 
now Secretary of State, the presidency 
of the United States. California was 
safe for Hughes, but against the ad- 
vice of his friends, Hughes went to 
California. When he got there he clos- 
eted himself with the silk hat and kid 
gloved crowd and refused to receive 
the "wool hat'' boys. The wool hat- 
ters openly swore vengeance, and 
Hughes lost California, which alone 
cost him the presidency. His campaign 
manager, Mr. Wilcox, was an icicle 
personified. 

Correspondents say that this taught 
Mr. Hughes a lesson, and that today 
he is the most amiable, approachable 
and most democratic official in Wash- 
ington, except the president. 

Snobbery cost the late A. O. Bacon 
the governorship of Georgia. At a po- 
litical speaking at Jug Tavern, now 
Winder, a farmer's wife asked Mr. Ba- 
con to buy four pairs of wool socks for 
$1, which she had knit herself. Mr. 
Bacon frowned and asked her what on 
earth she thought he wanted with that 
kind of sock, — that he wore only silk 
socks. That settled Bacon's chances of 
election. Mr. Bacon heard of his snob- 
bish "bust" when it was too late. This 
taught him a- lesson — he reformed and 
a few years later was elected to the 
United States Senate and made Geor- 
gia one of the greatest Senators in 
her history. 

It gives me genuine pleasure here to 
pay high tribute to the character, 
statesmanship and intellect of the late 
Senator Bacon; he simply made the 
mistake in his early career of being 
snobbish, or appearing so, and paid the 
penalty that some mighty good men 
with political ambitions living not a 
thousand miles from Rome must pay, 
unless they reform. 

It never offends me for a fellow to 
make it known that he thinks he is too 
good to associate with me; it only 
makes me laugh. It would not offend 
me if he should come out and tell me 
so. I would laugh all the more. 

I've got a trap set for whatever there 
may be of snobbery in Rome. I'm go- 
ing to catch it in whichever direction 
it moves, and if it assays up to any 
appreciable standard, three or four of 
us are going to plan a snipe party for 
the snob victims, either political, so- 
cial, financial or commercial, accord- 
ing to the particular turn the snobbery 
takes, and then there will be another 
story to tell. 

There is no snob in the world who 
won't fall for a snipe hunt. — 8-12-21. 



SNIPE HUNT PLANS. 
By Lee J. Langley. 

George Battey asked me in his col- 
umn last Sunday when I am going to 
stage my snob snipe party. 

_ That must depend on conditions and 
circumstances, George. I haven't got 
my snob covey rounded up yet. I have 
a little bunch of about a half dozen 
real nice juicy ones nibbling around 
rny trap, but they are a little chary of 
my bait. I've got a slow and rather 
new delivery and they are not quite 
certain just when and where my re- 
lease will cut the plate. I ran across 
what appeared to be a fine specimen 
of the breed the other day and he 
looked sick and sort of locoed, but when 
I got him square in the eye he gave 
me a belligerent and defiant stare. 

I have been hoping, and am hoping 
yet, that the lonesome little school of 
the tribe we have here will reform 
and sign up for life in the HE-man 
league, challenge success and fortune 
on their own merits and add luster and 
renown to the family names and con- 
nections instead of swashbuckling 
around in a circle and trying to collect 
dividends enough to live off the capital 
of the good name left them by two- 
fisted, fighting and successful fathers. 

Considerable preliminary prepara- 
tion will have to be made before we 
can stage the first snipe pai'ty. I have 
heretofore said that snobbery is a 
n'ental disease, and there are several 
types of it, and each case demands a 
different treatment. 

There is the political snob who be- 
lieves that by reason of his inherited 
preferment, or superior ability and 
qualifications, he is entitled to all the 
political honors in sight. This chap 
is afraid to let anybody else advance 
or advantage in any place or position 
fcr fear it would in some way inter- 
fere with himself. He quietly stabs 
his most promising neighbor on every 
occasion. 

To handle this bird we would have 
to get some of my pals in Washington 
to wire him to come on to the capitol 
and sign a receipt for the Rome post- 
office or take a place as assistant to 
Charles Evans Hughes, Secretary of 
State. We would have to give him a 
big torchlight parade before he left, 
and otherwise in a most pu"blic man- 
ner show our appreciation of his great- 
ness. Also we would have a mighty 
big reception committee meet him at 
the Union station, as well as a bunch 
of correspondents to tell the world how 
it all came out. 



Miscellaneous — Lagniappe 



633 



Then we have in some unfortunate 
spots in this big world the financial 
snobs who get themselves attached to 
a little 2x4 bank of some kind, with 
about enough capital to finance a good 
Chinese laundry and woi-k themselves 
up into the conviction that they are 
Napoleons of finance. These are the 
beauty boys. 

For this kind we would have some of 
the bunch in New York wire them that 
their distinction as bank executives 
and renewed financial abilities had 
attracted the attention of Wall Street 
and that they had been elected presi- 
dent of the National City Bank (the 
New York National City Bank) to 
succeed Jim Stillman and that they 
were requested to report as early as 
possible to take charge of "the biggest 
bank in America." 

Now we would have to give this bug 
a big banquet where he could hear his 
praises sung as he has murmured them 
to himself since his first infection, 
and appoint a committee to go with 
him and see him at last enter upon his 
own; also to rescue him from the ob- 
servation ward of Bellevue hospital 
following the close of his argument 
with the bank officers. 

The social snob is of course the 
catch-as-catch-can champion of all the 
snobs on earth. He has been one of 
the chief nuisances of civilization ever 
since the Mayflower bumped its nose 
against Plymouth Rock. He has added 
to the gaiety of all nations, and we 
have a very few specimens of him left, 
the age of social democracy notwith- 
standing. 

He has a brain about as big as a 
hummingbird's and the nerve of a 
Fatty Arbuckle. He is a third or 
fourth sprout sprung from a good 
strong original stock that went to seed 
in the last generation and left only 
this fibrous sprig that is not strong 
enough or hardy enough to ever reach 
maturity. 

We would have to tip the boys off 
down in Atlanta, or Athens, to recog- 
nize his social position and superior- 
ity by giving a big reception in his 
honor to which would be invited all 
the exclusive social queens and raging 
social lions of the state. Would he 
fall? Say, will a hobo take chicken 
pie? 

Also we have the church snob. The 
sleek, smiling, pawing and parading 
hypocrite who wants to pose as the one 
big, controlling church leader. He 
arrays himself in his cutaway or 
Prince Albert, gets to church before 



anybody else, takes charge and gives 
general directions to all comers. He 
can't be comfortable in a seat where 
he will not hold the spotlight all the 
tmie; he stands around' the walls, goes 
from one department of the services to 
another, frowns on some things and 
smiles his approval on others. His 
ambition is to have the world recog- 
nize and acknowledge him as the lead- 
er of some big influential church and 
congregation. 

This class of snob is as jealous and 
envious of every possible competitor 
for church honors as a first violinist 
is of the orchestra leader. He would 
murder the best Christian on earth for 
getting in his way if he just dared to. 

I have never tried to handle one of 
these snobs and must work out a pro- 
gram. I have wanted to slay a few of 
them. 

But, George, be patient; this cam- 
paign is on to stay. There is no room 
in the good old world for anybody 
these days except real men, working 
men, accomplishing men and unselfish 
men, and if there are others they must 
reform or emigrate. — Sept. 20," 1921. 



TOWN ANALYSIS. 
By Roht. H. Clagett. 
Whenever anybody residing in a 
town or city undertakes the analysis 
of the characteristics and peculiari- 
ties of the place, he is sure to create 
considerable comment. Such analyses 
provide the focus for a subject of con- 
versation that almost everybody de- 
lights in — a subject in which they 
themselves are the characters to be 
talked about. Lee Langley, ex-newspa- 
per man and clever writer, has started 
such conversation in Rome by his re- 
cent articles in which he undertook 
to reveal some of the characteristics 
of Rome and Romans, neither shunning 
the bad nor withholding the good. 

In our opinion Lee Langley's articles 
have been good for Rome, because they 
have set many people to talking about 
their town and analyzing their rela- 
tionship to it. Anything that causes 
such retrospection is healthful. Ro- 
mans who have read his articles may 
or may not agree with them. He does 
not seem to care about that. We 
cannot agree with all that he has writ- 
ten, if he intended to leave the im- 
pression that some of the things he 
said are applicable to Rome alone, be- 
cause it has been our observation that 
the worst characteristics he attributed 
to this town are with equal verity ap- 
plicable to all Southern towns of sim- 



634 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



ilar size and environment. To us a 
distinct characteristic of Rome is its 
similarity to other smaller Southern 
cities. 

In substance Mr. Langley said in a 
grood natured way that to become a 
Roman it is necessary for a person 
either to be born into that high estate, 
marry into it or buy himself into it. 
To a certain extent the same thing 
may be said of any other city, North 
or South — if he meant by that to rank 
high in social, political or business cir- 
cles one must achieve his position 
through the good will of the inhabi- 
tants of the place in which he dwells. 
It has been our experience that it is 
very easy to become just any kind of 
Roman one has the desire to become, 
provided he has sufficient intelligence, 
social grace, business ability and in- 
dividual personality to deserve the po- 
sition or recognition that he aspires to. 

Rome is not a Utopia. Nor is there 
a Utopia anywhere in the United 
States or any other country on the 
face of the earth. We have our ob- 
jectionable characteristics, which in 
most instances are the same as the ob- 
jections that may be pointed out in any 
other town in this section of the United 
States. Likewise, we have our admir- 
able features, some of which, it is 
pleasing to contemplate, are not to be 
found in all other places. If we have 
any criticism to make of the town that 
we have chosen as our future abode, 
it is that it is too much like other 
towns in which we have dwelt. What 
we would like to see happen is that 
Rome become so distinctly different 
from other towns either in good or 
bad qualities, if you please, that she 
will attract extraordinary attention. 

As was said at the outset of this ed- 
itorial, Lee Langley has done a good 
service by setting us to thinking about 
ourselves. He did it in a good natured 
way, and if there was anything writ- 
ten that offended anybody we feel that 
he did not intend to do that or care 
whether he did or not. What we would 
like to see transpire here is that all 
inhabitants of this town — old-timers 
and new-comers, men and women, boys 
and girls, merchants and tradesmen, 
professional men and manufacturers 
alike — consider themselves Romans in 
every sense of the word and deport 
themselves in the manner that they 
think Romans should act. 

The manner, then, in which the ma- 
jority deport themselves, will be ac- 
ceputed as the Rome Spirit and all 
who do not conform thereto will be 
aliens, because have we not the classic 



admonition that when in Rome one 
should do as Rome does? If there be 
anyone among us who can change our 
ways sufficiently to cause a majority 
to conform to his idea of what is the 
proper way, that new way will become 
the Rome way for better or for worse. 
If there be any immediate improve- 
ment in prospect, it lies in an endeavor 
to make Rome different from any other 
small city in the South.— July 12, 1921. 



"BOLSHEVIK" DINNER RULES. 
By Jack D. McCartney. 

Every sport has its rules, even the 
social sport, and it is unwise to vio- 
late any of these strict regulations. 

When asked to take your hostess 
out to dinner, were you ever penal- 
ized with a cold glance for being off 
side? Did you ever invite two young 
ladies to the same party and find 
yourself playing doubles, when you 
had meant it to be only a single court? 
Did you ever play all the courses at 
a formal dinner and find you had the 
wrong iron left for the last shot? Have 
you ever tried to steal home with your 
wife on second floor and your mother- 
in-law on third? If so, you will ap- 
preciate these few random but im- 
portant rules, and use them as an 
amateur in good standing, says a 
writer in the Kansas City Times. 



1. Approach a formal dinner party 
as you would a railroad track, with 
its "Stop, Look and Listen," sign. You 
stop eating, look hungry and listen to 
the conversation of the experienced 
lady next to you who ate at home first. 

2. To save embarrassment, never 
attend the wrong party or the wrong 
funeral. Imagine looking into the face 
of the host or the corpse, as the case 
may be, and finding him a perfect 
stranger. 

3. Caution your wife ahead of time 
to avoid dwelling on your ordinarily 
huge appetite. Your hostess may in- 
sist on your taking a second helping 
of the pickled turnips or some such 
dish. 

4. When seated uncomfortably 
against the leg of a table at one of 
these narrow apartment house festive 
boards, never kick irritably against 
what you believe to be the obstruction. 
It is just possible the leg may be that 
of the lady opposite. 

5. The sport of seating ladies at a 
dinner party is the most hazardous 
of all. The procedure urgently re- 
quires the detailed instructions which 
follow. 



Miscellaneous — Lagniappe 



635 



The whole matter might be sim- 
plified and accidents avoided, if cus- 
tom were not so fixed. For instance, 
the show method of seating the per- 
formers would be splendid. The butler, 
serving as interlocutor, should move 
to the piano, directly all the guests are 
in the dining room and at their chairs. 
Then he should call out in a loud, clear 
voice: "Ladies, be seated!" (Chord). 
All then would sink into their chairs 
with pleasing unanimity, the hostess 
would give friend husband the cue for 
that humorous little monologue of his, 
after which he, in turn, should ad- 
dress a guest with, "And where were 
you last night, Mr. Bones?" and all 
would go rattlingly. 

Then there is the military method. 
Guests form in column of twos and 
troop in to the tune of a stirring 
march on the phonograph. Reaching 
a position in rear of their chairs the 
host commands, "In place, halt!'' The 
following commands then are given in 
quick succession: "Chair with the 
right hand grab!" "One pace to the 
left, march!" "Chairs to the rear, 
march!" "Take seats" and "Come and 
get it!" 

Custom, however, almost precludes 
such efforts. Hence it is a question 
of best way — old style. 

The alert gentleman will not always 
seat the lady on his right, not if he is 
a judge of weights. Pick the lighter 
lady. Then, if the chair and the lady 
miss connection, the resulting crash 
will not be so noisy and even may be 
drowned with a loud guffaw. 



The lady to be seated maneuvers the 
chair behind her. If she insists on 
standing too long, waiting for the 
hostess to sit or counting to see if 
there are thirteen at the table, the 
time has come for action. Drawing 
the chair still farther back to gain 
a start, rush it toward the lady, strik- 
ing her at the bend of the knees with 
the chair and taking her by surprise. 
That IS a most important factor, the 
surprise element. It avoids that pos- 
sibility, already mentioned, of her get- 
ting out of control and crashing. 

With the lady once in the chair, 
the clever gentleman will propel it 
instantly toward the festive board. 
Some of the sex is just tricky enough 
to attempt to rise again if given an 
opportunity. Speed foils 'em. Don't 
cut down the momentum for fear of 
pushing the lady's chair too far for- 
ward. She will rebound from the edge 
of the table nicely. 



If the gentleman has followed in- 
structions thus far faithfully, he will 
find the lady safely parked at her 
place and undoubtedly somewhat wind- 
ed from caroming off the table. Before 
she can regain the power of speech, 
the alert gentleman will have an op- 
portunity of making most lusty inroads 
on the soup, relishes and even part of 
the fish course, unhindered by the de- 
mands of conversation. — Tribune-Her- 
ald, Jan. 16, 1921. 



A MONKEY DOES HIS BIT. 
By W. S. Rowell. 
As a result of a very unusual in- 
jury — particularly for a ruling sov- 
ereign — he King of Greece is dead 
from the bite of a pet money. King 
Alexander had ruled but a short while, 
— about three years, in fact. He was 
placejd on the throne when former 
King Constantine was deposed by the 
allies, on account of his pro-German 
activities. He had been a mere figure- 
head, possessing no real power, and 
there is, therefore, no reason for any 
disturbance in Greece on that account. 

King Alexander was the nephew of 
the former German Emperor, as are, 
of course, his brothers, one of whom. 
Prince Paul, has just been elected his 
successor by the Greek parliament. The 
new sovereign is the third son of Con- 
stantine, and is a man of about the 
same calibre as Alexander, and will 
be just about as much of a king, which 
will be very little. — Tribune-Herald, 
Oct. 27, 1920. 



WHEN WOMEN GO TO VOTE. 
By W. S. Rowell. 

Well, won't it be worth going miles 
to see — when women stalk up to the 
courthouse to vote! In the first place, 
lack of experience will embarrass them 
to some extent. They won't know where 
to go nor what to do. But the aver- 
age woman is quick to catch on and 
we don't anticipate much trouble in 
this regard. 

The woman will start upstairs to 
the voting place, and be as mad as 
pepper if some man should perchance 
be in front of her, for naturally all 
women feel that they should go in 
front of the men. Then, by the time 
she gets fairly started, an election 
manager will call her back, and tell 
her that she must first find out if she 
is registered. If she IS, she will be 
given a ticket with a number on it 
and if she is not, th^re will be the 
dickens to play in explaining to her 



636 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



why she can't vote because she is not 
registered. 

The woman will then take the ticket 
handed her by the manager and go on 
up stairs. When stopped by another 
manager at the top, she will protest 
against giving up the ticket she has 
in order to receive another that she 
knows nothing about. But after ar- 
gument this will be settled. 

Then she won't want to go into the 
booth to fix her ticket, and she is not 
going to let any mere man fix it, be- 
cause it's no man's business how she 
votes, and she don't want them to 
know anyway. 

After having fixed her own ticket 
in her own way (probably having 
scratched the candidates she wanted 
to vote for), she looks around and 
sees the ballot box. After some dis- 
cussion she will hand the ticket to 
the manager, who will call out her 
name and a number. This will bring 
on more talk; she will want to know 
why hej- name is called out without 
her consent and what the number is 
for. 

This having been satisfactorily ex- 
plained, she will start out the way she 
came and when barred by a police of- 
ficer, there'll be another long discus- 
sion coupled with protests. Finding: 
that she cannot go out the way she 
came in she will follow the advice of 
the officer and go out the way pointed 
out. All of which she will consider 
totally unnecessary, and something of 
an insult. 

It is our opinion that woinen will 
go to the polls in twos or threes, dress- 
ed in the height of fashion, in order 
to create an impression on the men 
standing around the polls. Of course, 
the men will be duly impressed. 

When the returns come in and they 
find that their candidates are defeated, 
a mighty howl will go up, fraud, 
cheating, bribing and swindling will be 
cliarged. They will declare that they 
will never go to the polls again, to be 
cheated out of their rights by unfair 
counters, and they won't go again until 
another elections rolls around. — Oct. 
30, 1920. 



WOMEN LIKE WINNERS. 
By W. S. Rowell. 
It is a natural factor in the fem- 
inine make-up that women like win- 
ners, and it is well that they do — it 
acts as an additional incentive to men 
to put things over. 

Women are tender - hearted, of 



course; they'll stand by an unfortu- 
nate man, one who is in real trouble, 
be he husband, brother or friend, to 
the last extremity — they are always 
the friend of the disabled or oppressed, 
but among men possessing all their 
faculties, they want winners. 

We do not believe this is due to 
selfishness or hard-heartedness. We 
believe that it is implanted in the 
woman nature to make men work 
harder and fight fiercer. Take a sti-ong, 
healthy man, in possession of all his 
faculties, he had better succeed in his 
undertakings if he expects to win the 
favor of women. They think he's got 
no business losing, and he has not. 

We are not criticizing women for 
liking winners; in fact, we rather ad- 
mire their perspicacity, and as stated 
above, this quality in their natures fre- 
quently acts as an incentive for men, 
stirring their energies and ambitions 
to greater and higher things. 



"DEAR SIR." 

By W. S. Rowell. 

There are some old-fashioned cus- 
toms that do not fit into the modern 
scheme of things — they are out of 
date, and apparently silly. One of 
these is the custom of beginning all 
letters with "dear sir" or "dear mad- 
am." It is true that this is polite, and 
people should always be polite. But 
when a man or woman writes to his 
or her deadly enemy, and uses the pro- 
noun "dear," it is inconsistent, to say 
the least. 

We don't know bow this custom 
started; it was probably in the dark 
ages, when language had a different 
nieaning from that of the present. In 
some instances it may have been in- 
tended as sarcasm; it certainly has 
that eff'ect in a great many instances. 
We have often wondered why this par- 
ticular form of address is used. It 
would have been just as reasonable 
to say "gentle sir," "kind sir" or 
"hated sir" as the circumstances 
seemed to warrant. But just why men 
started the fashion of always address- 
ing each other as "dear sir" and stuck 
to it whether appropriate or not we 
have never been able to understand. 

In a great many instances, for a 
man to address another as "dear sir" 
amounts to about the same thing as 
two rivals kissing each other when 
they meet. They hate each other to 
such an extent that their lips should 
burn on touching, yet they kiss and 
smile most sweetly. This is equally 



Miscellaneous — Lagniappe 



637 



as out of place as addressing every 
man you write to as "dear sir." 

We don't know any reason why you 
should not say ''miserable sir" if that 
should fit the occasion, or "fat sir" or 
"lean sir." Why not address each 
person you write to under an appro- 
priate designation? What is the use 
in calling a man "dear" when you hate 
him like a fish?— Dec. 3, 1920'. 



AT HOME-COMING, OCT. 14, 1920. 

Frovi Judge Wright's Address of Wel- 
come. 

"Rome's Who's Who contains every- 
body, with one man as good as another. 
There are roses in Rome whose petals 
wave a welcome of pink and white and 
red to our distinguished visitors. Out 
in the Flat Woods there are sweet 
potato patches containing the same 
'possum tracks which long ago beck- 
oned us to the hunt, and the whip- 
poorwills call not today 'Whip-poor- 
wil' but 'Welcome Home.' Everybody 
is happy at your coming, and only the 
skies are blue." 



From the Response of Col. John Tem- 
ple Graves. 

"When I think of Rome I recall the 
dearest period of my existence. Once 
a Roman, always a Roman. It is bet- 
ter to be a Roman than a king. This 
is the land of the Indians and the 
pioneer pale-face, the land of memory 
and dreams. I learned to ride a horse 
in Rome; I learned to ride a bicycle 
in Rome; I have taken a header from 
all the hills of Rome into the purling 
waters of the Etowah, the Oostanaula 
and the Coosa." 



A BASHFUL BRIDEGROOOM.— 

The following story, taken from the 
scrap book of the late John M. Gra- 
ham, of Tennessee, now in the posses- 
sion of a good lady of Rome, is re- 
printed from the Rome News of some 
date in 1921. Prudish persons should 
not read beyond these introductory 
lines; all orhers are cordially invited 
to wade in : 

"Senator Sebastian, of Arkansas, 
was a native of Hickman County, 
Tenn. On one occasion a member of 
Congress was lamenting his own bash- 
fulness and awkwardness. 'Why,' said 
the Senator from Rackensack, 'you 
don't know what bashfulness is. Let 
me tell a story, and when it is through 
I will stand the bob if you don't agree 
that you never knew anything about 
bashfulness and its baneful effects. 



" 'I was the most bashful boy west 
of the Alleghenies. I wouldn't look 
at a girl, much less speak to a maiden. 
But for all that I fell desperately in 
love with a sweet, beautiful, neighbor 
girl. It was a desirable match on both 
sides and the folks saw the drift and 
fixed it up. I thought I should die 
just thinking of it. I was a gawky, 
country lout some 19 years old. She 
was an intelligent, refined and fairly 
well educated girl in a country and 
at a time when girls had superior ad- 
vantages, and were therefore superior 
in culture to the boys. I fixed the day 
as far off' as I could have put it. I 
lay awake in a cold perspiration as the 
time drew near, and shivered with 
agony as I thought of the terrible or- 
deal. 

" 'The dreadful day came. I went 
through with the program somehow in 
a dazed, confused, mechanical sort of 
way like an automaton booby thi-ough 
a supper where I could eat nothing, 
and thrgugh such games as "possum 
pie," ''Sister Phoebe" and all that sort 
of thing. The guests one by one de- 
parted and my hair began to stand on 
end. Beyond the awful curtain of Isis 
lay the terrible unknown. My blood 
grew cold and boiled by turns. I v.as 
in a fever and then an ague, pale and 
flushed by turns. I felt like fleeing to 
the woods, spending the night in the 
barn, or leaving for the West never 
to come back. 

" 'I was deeply devoted to Sally, — 
loved her harder than a mule can kick, 
but that dreadful ordeal, I could not, 
I dared not, stand it. Finally the last 
guest was gone, the bride retired, the 
family repaired to bed, and I was left 
alone, horror of horrors, — alone with 
the old man. "John," said he. "you 
can take that candle. You will find 
your room right over this. Good night, 
John, and may the Lord have mercy 
on your soul," and with a mischievous 
twinkle in his fine gray eyes the old 
man left the room. I mentally said 
''Amen!'" to his "Heaven help you," 
and when I heard him close a distant 
door, staggered to my feet and seized 
the farthing dip with a nervous grasp. 
I stood for some minutes contemplating 
my terrible fate and the inevitable and 
speedy doom about to overwhelm me. 
I knew that it could not be avoided, 
and yet I hesitated to meet my fate 
like a man. I stood so long that three 
love letters grew on the wick of the 
tallow dip, and a winding sheet was 
decorating the sides of the brass can- 
dlestick. 

" 'A happy thought struck me. I 



638 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



hastily climbed the stair, marked the 
position of the landing and the door 
of the bridal chamber. I would have 
died before I would have disrobed in 
that holy sanctuary, where awaited 
me a trembling and beautiful girl, a 
blushing maiden, "clothed upon" with 
her own beauty and modesty, and her 
snowy robe de nuit. The thought 
was that I could make the usual prep- 
arations outside in the hall, blow out 
the light, open the door and friendly 
night would shield my shrinking mod- 
esty and bashfulness, and grateful 
darkness at least mitigate the horror 
of the situation. It was soon done. 
Preparations for retiring were few 
and simple in Hickman, although con- 
sisting of disrobing, and owing to 
scarcity of cloth in those days man was 
somewhat near the Adamic state when 
he was prepared to woo sweet sleep. 

" 'The dreaded hour had come. I 
was ready. I blew out the light, 
grasped the door knob with a deathly 
grip and nervous clutch. One moment 
and it would be over! One moment 
and it wasn't over, by a darned sight! 

" 'I leaped within, slamming the door 
with a loud noise behind, and at the 
same time with a sickening gasp ut- 
tering the name of my sweetheart. 

"There, seated in front of a blazing, 
glowing hickory log fire, with candles 
burning brightly on the mantel and 
bureau, was the blushing bride, sur- 
rounded by the six lovely brides- 
maids.' " 



TOO LATE TO BE CLASSIFIED. 
On the eve of going to press, a good 
"story" has been received. Mrs. Mabel 
Washbourne Anderson, of Pryor, Okla., 
sends a book of poems by her father, 
the late John Rollin Ridge' (son of John 
Ridge, grandson of Major Ridge and 
native_ of the present Floyd County), 
in which is contained a preface with 
a highly engrossing narrative by the 
poet, which carries the reader back to 
the Indian days at Rome.* This ac- 
count speaks for itself in the main. 
It needs explaining with respect to 
the location of the home of John Ridge. 
It leaves for the reader to figure out 
whether Mr. Ridge lived in Ridge Val- 
ley (at "Hermitage") or at the old 
Hume place about two miles north of 
North Rome, on the Southern railway. 

John Rollin Ridge mentions his 
father's house "on a high hill, with a 
large spring at the foot of it," and 
another nearby hill, 200 yards away. 
The Rush place is on an elevation, at 
the foot of which, in Ridge Valley, is a 



bold spring. The Hume place is 
mostly flat, and its spring is probably 
smaller than the other spring. 

But to the article by the poet. It is 
contained in a book called "Poems," 
published in 1868 by Henry Payot & 
Co., and printed by Edward Bosqui & 
Co., at 517 Clay St., San Francisco, 
Cal. The book has been out of print so 
many years that copies of it are rare. 
The publisher's prefatory note pre- 
cedes the Ridge account, and both now 
follow : 



"Most of the poems in this little vol- 
ume are the productions of boyhood; 
very few of them were written after 
the author had reached the age of 20. 
As his career on the coast, in connec- 
tion with political and literary jour- 
nalism, is familiar to all readers, we 
will add nothing to this letter." 



" 'I was born in the Cherokee Na- 
tion, east of the Mississippi River, on 
the 19th of Mar., 1827.** My earliest 
recollections are of such things as are 
pleasing to childhood, the fondness of 
a kind father, and the smiles of an 
affectionate mother. My father, the 
late John Ridge, as you know, was one 
of the chiefs of the tribe, and son of 
the warrior and orator distinguished 
in Cherokee councils and battles, who 
was known among the whites as Major 
Ridge, and amongst his own people as 
Ka-nun-ta-cla-ge. My father grew up 
until he was twelve or fifteen years of 
age, as any untutored Indian, and he 
used well to remember the time when 
his greatest delight was to strip him- 
self of his Indian costume, and with 
aboriginal cane-gig in hand, while away 
the long summer days in wading up 
and down creeks in search of craw- 
fish. 

" 'At the age which I have men- 
tioned before, a missionary station 
sprang into existence, and Major 
Ridge sent his son John, who could 
not speak a word of English, to school 
at this station, placing him under the 
instruction of a venerable missionary 
named Gambol.*** Here he learned 



*Undoubtedly at Running Waters. 

**John Rollin Ridge died in 1867 at Grass 
Valley, Cal., and was there buried under a 
stunted tree which he had planted years before 
while engaged in placer mining. His wife died 
about 1910 at Berkeley, Cal., and was laid to 
rest at that place, which is the site of the 
University of California. Mrs. Ridge got to- 
gether the choicest of her husband's poems and 
had them published a year after his death. 
Among his best serious efforts are "Mt. Shasta" 
and "The Atlantic Cable." He was often 
called upon to read his verses at public meet- 
ings and college commencements. 

***Supposed to have been at Spring Place. 



Miscellaneous — Lagniappe 



639 



rapidly, and in the course of a year 
acquired a sufficient knowledge of the 
white man's language to speak it quite 
fluently. 

" 'Major Ridge had become fully 
impressed with the importance of civil- 
ization. He had built him a log cabin, 
in imitation of the border whites, and 
opened him a farm. The missionary. 
Gambol, told him of an institution 
built up in a distant land especially 
for the education of Indian youths 
(Cornwall, Conn.), and here he con- 
cluded to send his son. After hearing 
some stern advice from his father, 
with respect to the manner in which 
he should conduct himself among the 
"palefaces,'' John left for the Corn- 
wall school, in charge of a friendly 
missionary. He remained there until 
his education was completed. During 
his attendance at this institution, he 
fell in love with a young white girl of 
the place, daughter of Mr. Nor- 
thrup.* 

*' 'His love was reciprocated. He re- 
turned home to his father, gained his 
consent, though with much difficulty 
(for the old Major wished him to 
marry a chief's daughter amongst his 
own people), went back again to Corn- 
•Wall, and shortly brought his "pale- 
faced bride to the wild country of 
the Cherokees. In due course of time, 
I, John Rollin, came into the world. 
I was called by my grandfather 
"Chees-quat-a-law-ny," which, inter- 
preted, means "Yellow Bird.' Thus 
you have a knowledge of my parent- 
age and how it happened that I am 
an Indian. 

" 'Things had now changed with the 
Cherokees. They had a written Con- 
stitution and laws. They had legis- 
lative halls, houses and farms, courts 
and juries. The general mass, it is 
true, were ignorant, but happy under 
the administration of a few simple, 
just and wholesome laws. Major 
Ridge had become wealthy by trading 
with the whites and by prudent man- 
agement. He had built him an ele- 
gant house on the banks of the "Oos- 
te-nar-ly River," on which now stands 
the thriving town of Rome, Ga. 

" 'Many a time in my buoyant boy- 
hood have I strayed along its summer- 
shaded shores and glided in a light 
canoe over its swiftly-rolling bosom, 
and beneath its ever-hanging willows. 
Alas for the beautiful scene! The 
Indian's form haunts it no more! 

" 'My father's residence was a few 
miles east of the "Oostenar-ly." I re- 



*Sarah Bird Northrup. 



mem;ber it well, — a large two-story 
house, on a high hill, crowned with a 
fine grove of oak and hickory, a large 
clear spring at the foot of the hill, and 
an extensive farm stretching away 
down into the valley, with a fine or- 
chard on the left. On another hill 
some 200 yards distant stood the school 
house, built at my father's expense, 
for the use of a missionary, Miss 
Sophie Sawyer, who made her home 
v;ith our family and taught my father's 
children and all who chose to come for 
her instruction. I went to this school 
until I was ten years of age — which 
was in 1837. Then another change 
had come over the Cherokee Nation. 
A demon spell had fallen upon it. The 
white man had become covetous of the 
soil. The unhappy Indian was driven 
from his house, — not one, but thous- 
ands — and the wh|ite man's plough- 
share turned up the acres which he had 
called his own. Wherever the Indian 
built his cabin and planted his corn, 
tliere was the spot which the white 
man craved. Convicted on suspicion, 
they were sentenced to death by laws 
whose authority they could not ac- 
knowledge, and hanged on the white 
man's gallows. Oppression became in- 
tolerable, and forced by extreme ne- 
cessity, they at last gave up their 
homes, yielded their beloved country 
to the rapacity of the Georgians, and 
wended their way in silence and sor- 
row to the forests of the far west. In 
1837 my father moved his family to 
his new home. He built his houses and 
opened his farm; gave encouragement 
to the rising neighborhood and fed 
many a naked and hungry Indian 
whom oppression had prostrated to 
the dust. 

*' 'A second time he built a school- 
house, and iMiss Sawyer again in- 
structed his own children and the chil- 
dren of his neighbors. Two years 
rolled away in quietude, but the spring 
of '39 brought in a terrible train of 
events. Parties had arisen in the Na- 
tion. The removal west had fomented 
discontents of the darkest and dead- 
liest nature. The ignorant Indians, 
unable to vent their rage on the 
whites, turned their wrath toward their 
own chiefs, and chose toehold them re- 
sponsible for what had happened. John 
Ross made use of these prejudices to 
establish his own power. He held a 
secret council and plotted the death 
of my father and grandfather, and 
Boudinot and others who were friendly 
to the interests of these men. John 
Ridge was at this time the most pow- 
erftil man in the Nation, and it was 



640 



A History of Rome and Floyd County 



necessary for Ross, in order to realize 
his ambitious scheme for ruling the 
whole Nation, not only to put the 
Ridges out of the way, but those who 
most prominently supported them, lest 
they might cause trouble afterwards.* 

" 'These bloody deeds were perpe- 
trated under circumstances of peculiar 
aggravation. On the morning of the 
22nd of June, 1839, about daybreak, 
our family was aroused from sleep by 
a violent noise. The doors were broken 
down and the house was full of armed 
men. I saw my father in the hands 
of assassins. He endeavored to speak 
to them, but they shouted and drowned 
his voice, for they were instructed not 
to listen to him for a moment, for fear 
they would be persuaded not to kill 
him. They dragged him into the yard 
and prepared to murder him. Two men 
held him by the arms, and others by 
the body, while another stabbed him 
deliberately with a dirk 29 times. My 
mother rushed ou< to the door, but 
they pushed her back with their guns 
into the house, and prevented her 
egress until their act was finished. My 
father fell to the earth, but did not 
immediately expire. My mother ran 
out to him. He raised himself on his 
elbow and tried to speak, but the blood 
flowed into his mouth and prevented 
him. In a few moments more he died, 
without speaking that last word which 
he wished to say. 

" 'Then succeeded a scene of agony 
the sight of which might make one re- 
gret that the human race had ever been 
created. It has darkened my mind 
with an eternal shadow. In a room 
•^rerared for the purpose lay pale in 
death the man whose voice had been 
listened to with awe and admiration 
in the councils of his Nation, and whose 
fame had passed to the remotest of 
the United States, the blood oozing 
through his winding sheet and falling 
drop by drop on the floor. By his side 
sat my mother, with hands clasped and 
in speechless agony — she who had 
given him her heart in the days of her 
youth and beauty, left the home of 
her parents and followed the husband 
of her choice to a wild and distant 
land. And bending over him was his 
own afflicted mother, with her long, 
white hair flung loose over her shoul- 
ders and bosom, crying to the Great 
Spirit to sustain her in that dreadful 
hour. And in addition to all these, the 
wife, the mother and the little children, 
who scarcely knew their loss, were the 
dark faces of those who had been the 
murdered man's friends, and possibly 
some who had been privy to the assas-. 



sination, who had come to smile over 
the scene. 

" 'There was yet another blow to be 
dealt. Major Ridge had started on a 
journey the day before to Van Buren, a 
town on the Arkansas River, in Ar- 
kansas. He was traveling down what 
was called the Line Road, in the di- 
rection of Evansville. A runner was 
sent with all possible speed to inform 
him of what had happened. The run- 
ner returned with the news that Major 
Ridge himself was killed. It is use- 
less to lengthen description. It would 
fall short, far short, of the theme.** 

" 'These events happened when I 
was twelve years old. Great excite- 
ment existed in the Nation, and my 
mother, thinking her children unsafe 
in the country of their father's mur- 
derers, and unwilling to remain longer 
where all that she saw reminded her of 
her dreadful bereavement, removed to 
the state of Arkansas and settled in 
the town of Fayetteville. In that place 
I went to school until I was 14 years 
of age, when my mother sent me to 
New England to finish my education. 
There it was that I became acquainted 
with you, and you know all about my 
history during my attendance at the 
Great Barrington School as well as I 
do myself. Owing to the rigor of the 
climate, my health failed me about the 
time I was ready to enter college, and 
I returned to my mother in Arkansas. 
Here I read Latin and Greek and pur- 
sued my studies with the Rev. Cephas 
Washbourne (who had formerly been 
a missionary in the Cherokee Nation) 
till the summer of 1845, when the dif- 
ficulties which had existed in the Na- 
tion ever since my father's death, more 
or less, had drawn to a crisis.' 

" 'Thus have I briefly and hurriedly 
complied with your request and given 
you a sketch of my life. I shall not 
return to the Nation now until cir- 
cumstances are materially changed. I 
shall cast my fortunes for some time 
with the whites. I am 23 years old, 
married and have an infant daugh- 
ter. I will still devote my life to my 
people, though not amongst them, and 
before I die I hope to see the Chero- 
kee Nation, in conjunction with the 
Choctaws, admitted into the Confed- 
eracy of the United States.' " 



*Elias Boudinot, it will be remembered, was 
killed at the same time by the same assassins. 

**The reader should bear in mind that Ross 
disclaimed any personal responsibility in the 
plot and its execution, and that the culprits 
were never apprehended. The new Indian 
country was not amenable to such laws at 
that time as would cause a strict reckoning 
to be had in the circumstances. 



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